Volunteer Policy Definitions A volunteer shall be considered as any individual, 14 years or older, who assists with work done at the Haslet Public Library, without remuneration. Exceptions to the age requirement may be made by the Library Director. A student volunteer shall be considered as any middle school, high school, or college student who performs volunteer work, without remuneration, as part of an authorized school program. Individual Boy Scouts working on advanced awards are also classified as student volunteers. A court-ordered volunteer shall be considered as any individual that has been sentenced to perform community service restitution by the legal system. Statement of Purpose The Haslet Public Library shall use the services of volunteers to: 1. Supplement the efforts of paid library staff in meeting demands for quality public service; 2. Serve as a method for encouraging citizens to become familiar with their library and the services being offered; 3. Staff or support fundraising activities sponsored by the Friends of the Library. The Haslet Public Library shall make use of the services of interested volunteers to supplement and not replace the work done by library staff. Recognition Recognition is an important component of a volunteer program. The Library staff and Library Board will recognize volunteers individually and as a group. Neither the City of Haslet nor the Haslet Public Library will provide any medical, health, accident or worker s compensation benefits for any volunteer. Volunteers will not be eligible to receive any worker s compensation benefits for any injuries sustained while functioning as a volunteer. Prior to engaging in any volunteer activity, each volunteer will be required to submit a Volunteer Application form (included in this policy) for volunteer work, and attend an interview with a library staff member. Upon approval of the staff, the volunteer may be scheduled for work assignments. All volunteers will receive a copy of the policy with their application. Friends of the Library do not need to fill out an application unless they are volunteering to cover the library desk (circulation). This ensures that the library staff has up-to-date contact information in case of an emergency. Volunteers may be asked to work on projects that are supportive of staff efforts. Examples include: shelving books, returning books, processing new materials, storytelling, helping to prepare for programs, discarding materials, maintenance of periodicals, public relations activities, et. al. Approved by Haslet Public Library Board on June 14, 2012 Page 1 of 5
Hours of volunteer service will be determined by the supervisory staff member in discussion with the volunteer. Volunteers are expected to arrive at the library in time to begin work as scheduled or call the library if they will be absent. All volunteer work must be completed within normal library hours. Exceptions may be made by the Library Director. Recruitment and Supervision of Volunteers Volunteers will be sought through a variety of methods (in-library publicity, requests through volunteer coordination organizations), to meet specific as well as general project needs. Recruitment shall be the responsibility of the Library Director. There will be no formal evaluation process for volunteers. Recruitment and Supervision of Student Volunteers Student volunteers will be sought by library staff through educational contacts in area schools and colleges. All schedules will be worked out between the student and the supervising librarian. Recruitment and Supervision of Court-Ordered Volunteers Court-ordered volunteers must be referred to the Haslet Public Library from the case worker or probation officer, or by a responsible adult (in the case of a minor). Individuals fulfilling community service due to any 1)violent crimes, assaults, or threats; 2) theft; 3) crimes that involve children; 4) possession with intent to distribute; 5) crimes of a sexual nature; or 6) other crimes deemed disqualifying by the Library Director are not eligible. Request from individuals needing to meet court-ordered community service requirements will be accommodated only if the library is given adequate time to process the application and complete, screening and placement procedures (at least one week notice). There is no obligation to accommodate court-ordered volunteers who delayed starting their hours or have a rapidly approaching deadline. Court-ordered volunteers must be supervised and trained by the librarian. Participants must be on time, actively engage in the tasks, and call if unable to meet the arranged commitments. Participants must come with the appropriate paperwork and be responsible for helping us track time. Court-ordered volunteers failing to fulfill their agreedupon volunteer schedule will have their volunteer status cancelled and the change in status will be reported to the courts (as appropriate). Approved by Haslet Public Library Board on June 14, 2012 Page 2 of 5
100 Gammill St. Haslet, TX 76052 Volunteer Application Please print clearly. Under 18 requires parent s signature. Name Date Address City/Zip Phone (H) Phone (W) Cell Email Address Age Person to contact in the event of an emergency: Emergency Contact Relationship Phone # City State Zip Volunteer Interests. Please check all that apply. Circulation Shelve books Label books Greet people Assist with programs Summer reading Displays List the times below when you have read and understood our policy and this statement. I certify that the statements made on this volunteer application are true and correct, have been given voluntarily, and may be disclosed to any party with legal and proper interest. I understand that Haslet Public Library reserves the right to screen volunteers, to accept or reject any applications, and to place applicants in positions based on the needs of the library. I also understand that I will not be paid for my services as a volunteer. Signature Parent Signature (if under 18) Date Approved by Haslet Public Library Board on June 14, 2012 Page 3 of 5
100 Gammill St. Haslet, TX 76052 Court Ordered Volunteer Application Please print clearly. Complete all sections. Under 18 requires parent s signature. Name Date Address City/Zip Phone (H) Phone (W) Cell Email Address Age Court appointed contact: Please list the name and phone number of your assigned court appointed contact. Please attach court papers, information concerning your court assignment, deadlines, and other requirements or related information. Name of Agency/Organization Contact Person Address Phone Email Person to contact in the event of an emergency: Emergency Contact Relationship Phone City State Zip Volunteer interests. Please check all that apply. Shelve books Label books Greet people Displays Returns List the times that you are available How many hours are you required to work? Start date Completion date Have you ever been convicted of a felony? Yes No Approved by Haslet Public Library Board on June 14, 2012 Page 4 of 5
If yes, please explain Why did you choose the library? References Please list three references with phone numbers and email. Use relationship to indicate how you know each reference (Employment, school, previous volunteer references preferred). 1. Name Relationship 2. Name Relationship 3. Name Relationship Please sign below when you have read and understood our policy and this statement. I certify that the statements made on this application are true and correct, have been given voluntarily, and may be disclosed to any party with legal and proper interest. I understand that the Haslet Public Library reserves the right to screen, to accept or reject any applications, and to place applicants in positions based on the needs of the library. I also understand that I will not be paid for my services. Signature Parent Signature (if under 18) Date Approved by Haslet Public Library Board on June 14, 2012 Page 5 of 5