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Volunteer

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To be considered for one of the volunteer opportunities listed on this page, please complete and return the Volunteer Application .

The completed form may be returned to any Library location, mailed to 711 W. 2nd St., Wichita, KS 67203 or scanned and emailed to admin@wichitalibrary.org.

If you have questions, please call (316) 261-8500.

Current Volunteer Openings

    • Job Purpose: To find, pull, and check in holds on materials at the Advanced Learning Library.

      Duties and Responsibilities:

      • Find, pull, and check in materials that are needed to fill holds for Wichita Public Library customers
      • Sort branch holds into delivery bins as needed

      Qualifications:

      • Age 16 or older
      • Able to use touchscreen tablet
      • Able to use a desktop computer and handheld book scanner
      • Self-motivated and able to work with limited supervision
      • Professional demeanor
      • Enthusiastic attitude and willingness to learn new tasks

      Hours: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday mornings, at least one hour between 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Daily, Monday through Saturday afternoons, at least one hour between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Applicants may apply to volunteer multiple days of the week.

      Working Conditions: Climate-controlled indoor space before library opens to the public and during open hours.

      Physical Requirements: Must be able to stand, sit, bend, and kneel for length of shift with reasonable accommodation. Must be able to push and pull a book cart of up to 250 pounds.

    • Job Purpose: To help straighten bookshelves and gather un-shelved materials to be reshelved.

      Duties and Responsibilities:

      • Straighten library bookshelves, ensuring that materials are secured on the shelf with a bookend
      • Pick up materials that have been pulled off of the shelf and left on the shelves or on tables to be run through the library's Automated Materials Handler
      • Restock in-shelf materials display stands as necessary

      Qualifications:

      • Age 16 or older
      • Self-motivated and able to work with limited supervision
      • Professional demeanor
      • Enthusiastic attitude and willingness to learn new tasks

      Hours: Monday - Saturday, approximately 1 hour between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Applicants may apply to volunteer multiple days of the week.

      Working Conditions: Climate-controlled indoor space before library opens to the public and during open hours.

      Physical Requirements: Must be able to stand, sit, bend, and kneel for length of shift with reasonable accommodation. Must be able to push and pull a book cart of up to 250 pounds. Must be able to straighten materials on shelves above head-height as well as materials at ground level. Must be able to hold books in place while in process of securing the books with a bookend.

    • Job Purpose: To shelve returned library materials.

      Duties and Responsibilities:

      • Accurately shelve recently returned library materials, including adult, youth, and media items
      • Put carts of recently returned materials in order according to Wichita Public Library shelving standards

      Qualifications:

      • Age 16 or older
      • Ability to accurately shelve materials according to Wichita Public Library shelving standards
      • Self-motivated and able to work with limited supervision
      • Professional demeanor
      • Enthusiastic attitude and willingness to learn new tasks

      Hours: Monday - Saturday at least two hours between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Applicants may apply to volunteer multiple days of the week.

      Working Conditions: Climate-controlled indoor space before library opens to the public and during open hours.

      Physical Requirements: Must be able to stand, sit, bend, and kneel for length of shift with reasonable accommodation. Must be able to push and pull a book cart of up to 250 pounds. Must be able to hold and shelve materials above head as well as shelve materials at ground level.

    • Job Purpose: To assist customers with routine questions about item location and in checking out materials. To prepare and/or reset the Children's Pavilion and the Family Place play area for customer use.

      Duties and Responsibilities:

      Prepare and/or reset the Children's Pavilion:

      • Refill displays with pre-designated materials
      • Clean and maintain the Family Place play area
      • Assist customers in correct use of RFID checkout stations
      • Use catalog computers to locate items in the library system and/or building

      Qualifications:

      • Knowledge of library organization and the Dewey Decimal system
      • Experience working professionally with youth
      • Able to use provided cleaning supplies
      • Self-motivated and able to work with library staff
      • Professional demeanor

      Hours: Daily, Tuesdays/Thursdays/Fridays from 9 a.m. to noon. Applicants may apply to volunteer multiple days of the week.

      Working Conditions: Climate-controlled indoor space.

      Physical Requirements: Must be able to stand, sit, bend, and kneel for length of shift with reasonable accommodation.

    • Job Purpose: To prepare the Family Place play area for customers.

      Duties and Responsibilities:

      Clean and maintain the play area daily:

      • Clean and sanitize surfaces
      • Clean and sanitize toys
      • Inventory items
      • Restock the writing center and parent information center
      • Reset the space for customer use

      Qualifications:

      • Age 16 or older
      • Able to use provided cleaning supplies
      • Self-motivated and able to work with limited supervision
      • Professional demeanor
      • Enthusiastic attitude and willingness to learn new tasks

      Hours: Daily, Monday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Applicants may apply to volunteer multiple days of the week.

      Working Conditions: Climate-controlled indoor space before library opens to the public.

      Physical Requirements: Must be able to stand, sit, bend, and kneel for length of shift with reasonable accommodation.

    • Job Purpose: To assist library staff in keeping the branch's collections in good condition and aiding in processing library materials by using lists to pull materials from the shelves, sorting materials for delivery, shelving materials, and shifting library collections when needed.

      Duties and Responsibilities:

      Work in this position includes:

      • Finding and pulling materials from the shelves
      • Packing processed items into boxes for delivery to other locations
      • Sorting materials onto carts
      • Shelving materials
      • Checking the condition of materials
      • Shifting materials to better fit on library shelves
      • Light cleaning (wiping down toys, cleaning high touch areas with disinfectant spray)

      Qualifications:

      • Age 18 or older
      • Ability to find materials on the shelves with a list
      • Ability to place materials on the shelves in the correct position
      • Ability to sort and alphabetize materials
      • Self-motivated and able to work with limited supervision
      • Professional demeanor

      Hours: Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Additional hours available if/when requested of up to 7 hours per week on Wednesday and/or Thursday 10:30-12:30.

      Working Conditions: Sitting, standing, and walking throughout the library building. Pushing a cart through the library and taking materials off of it or adding materials onto it.

      Physical Requirements:

      • Ability to sit, stand or move about on foot to accomplish tasks
      • Ability to lift materials up to 50 pounds
      • Ability to bend down to pull items from low shelves and reach up to pull items from high shelves
      • Ability to push a cart of materials that may weigh up to 250 pounds
      • Must be able to stand, sit, bend, and kneel for length of shift with reasonable accommodation

    • Job Purpose: To assist customers with various computer questions and needs.

      Duties and Responsibilities:

      Work in this position includes:

      • Assisting customers with accessing the internet and utilizing email
      • Assisting customers using public PCs & laptops with the Microsoft Suite of software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) and the Google Suite of software (Docs, Sheets, Drive, etc.)
      • Assisting customers with printing and scanning from public computers and mobile devices
      • Assisting customers with computer tasks such as saving files, creating online accounts, applying for online jobs, uploading and sending files, etc.

      Qualifications:

      • Need to be customer service-oriented
      • Have knowledge of basic computer, laptop, and smartphone operation and software
      • Ability to communicate clearly and effectively
      • Understanding and respecting customer confidentiality when assisting customers with their work

      Hours: Schedule is flexible with ideal hours of two days per week, total of 4-5 hours per week. Volunteer hours would need to be set each week and take place between 12-4 p.m. on Tuesdays, 12-5 p.m. on Wednesdays and/or Thursdays.

      Working Conditions: Sitting, standing, and walking throughout the library building.

      Physical Requirements: Ability to sit, stand or move about on foot to accomplish tasks; ability to use computer keyboard, and mouse; ability to convey information and instructions to customers.

    • Job Purpose: To assist customers with various computer questions and needs.

      Duties and Responsibilities:

      Work in this position includes:

      • Assisting customers with accessing the internet and utilizing email
      • Assisting customers using public PCs & laptops with the Microsoft Suite of software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) and the Google Suite of software (Docs, Sheets, Drive, etc.)
      • Assisting customers with printing and scanning from public computers and mobile devices
      • Assisting customers with computer tasks such as saving files, creating online accounts, applying for online jobs, uploading and sending files, etc.

      Qualifications:

      • Need to be customer service-oriented
      • Have knowledge of basic computer, laptop, and smartphone operation and software
      • Ability to communicate clearly and effectively
      • Must be able to communicate with customers in English and Spanish
      • Understanding and respecting customer confidentiality when assisting customers with their work

      Hours: Ideal schedule is two 2-hour shifts per week for a total of 4 hours. Days/times are flexible, but ideal would be Tuesdays 1-3 p.m. and Fridays 2-4 p.m.

      Working Conditions: Sitting, standing, and walking throughout the library building.

      Physical Requirements: Ability to sit, stand or move about on foot to accomplish tasks; ability to use computer keyboard, and mouse; ability to convey information and instructions to customers.

    • Job Purpose: To assist library customers one-on-one with a variety of computer and technical issues.

      Duties and Responsibilities:

      Assist customers with a variety of technology needs including:

      • Basic computer instructions (using a mouse, searching on Google, printing documents)
      • Setting up a free online email account on sites like Gmail
      • Applying for jobs online
      • Using Microsoft Office programs (Word or Excel primarily)
      • Formatting a resume
      • Downloading e-books through the Libby and cloudLibrary apps
      • Using e-readers, smart phones, tablet computers, or iPads
      • Making photocopies
      • Assisting with scanning, saving, and sending documents using a flash drive

      Qualifications:

      • Age 16 or older
      • Able to provide customer service to a diverse community population
      • Understand and be able to explain a variety of technology and computer programs/apps
      • Self-motivated and able to work with limited supervision
      • Enthusiastic attitude and willingness to learn new tasks
      • Professional demeanor

      Hours: Tuesdays from 11:15 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Hours may vary. Applicants may apply for multiple shifts.

      Working Conditions: Climate-controlled indoor space that is open to the public.

      Physical Requirements: Must be able to stand, sit, bend, and kneel for length of shift with reasonable accommodation.

    • The Wichita Public Library is seeking a dedicated and community minded volunteer to help support literacy access by maintaining a route of 13 Little Free Libraries located in Wichita's southeast area. This volunteer plays a key role in helping families, children, and neighbors discover free books in their local community spaces.

      What You'll Do:

      • Visit each Little Free Library on your assigned route (13 locations in southeast Wichita)
      • Restock the libraries with books provided by the Wichita Public Library
      • Keep libraries tidy, removing dust or debris as needed
      • Report any damage, vandalism, or maintenance concerns to library staff

      Time Commitment:

      • Flexible scheduling
      • Typically 3 to 4 hours every other week, depending on your pace and availability

      Ideal Volunteer:

      • Enjoys independent work and driving around the community
      • Comfortable lifting and carrying small boxes or bags of books
      • Passionate about literacy, community outreach, and helping families access reading materials

      Training & Support:

      • Orientation and support provided by the Wichita Public Library
      • Books and supplies provided
      • Staff contact available for questions or to report issues

    • The Wichita Public Library is looking for a handy, community minded volunteer to help maintain and repair Little Free Libraries throughout southeast Wichita. This role helps keep these neighborhood book boxes safe, welcoming, and accessible for all.

      What You'll Do:

      • Make light repairs such as painting, tightening hardware, replacing small parts, and fixing simple wood components
      • Clean off debris or graffiti as needed
      • Report any significant damage or safety concerns to library staff

      What We Provide: All materials needed for repairs are supplied by the library, including paint, brushes, cleaning supplies, small repair parts, and replacement components. Staff support is always available if questions arise.

      Time Commitment: The schedule is flexible, though you may spend a little extra time at first since this volunteer role has been vacant and some libraries may need attention. After that, upkeep is typically occasional. A minimum three-month commitment is preferred.

      Ideal Volunteer:

      • Comfortable with basic woodworking and simple repairs
      • Able to lift light materials and work outdoors
      • Reliable, detail oriented, and enjoys independent tasks
      • Passionate about supporting literacy and community spaces

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