Volunteer

A volunteer places a book on a shelf

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 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: Volunteer will unpack incoming mail and separate the mail into two stacks:

      1. For items being returned to Wichita Public Library (WPL),
      2. Items received which fill request from WPL customers.

      The position will also be responsible for packing library material for shipment through U.S. Mail.

      Duties and Responsibilities:

      • Open and sort arriving mail onto two carts
      • Attach identification labels to items borrowed from other libraries
      • Label, sort, and send mail; place material in envelopes or packages

      Qualifications:

      • Skills: organizational, detail oriented
      • Ability to package material neatly
      • Ability to deal tactfully and courteously with others
      • Ability to learn, within a short period of time
      • Ability to write legibly
      • Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing
      • Ability to observe differences in copy, to proofread words and numbers

      Equivalent combination of experience and training may be considered.

      Hours: Monday through Friday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

      Physical Requirements: May require standing while moving about for up to 2 hours, or stand stationary for up to 2 hours, on carpet, tile or concrete flooring; walk while pushing a loaded book cart weighing up to 200 pounds; unload packages of various sizes.

    • Job Purpose: To care for and restock Wichita Public Library designated Little Free Libraries in Southeast Wichita.

      Duties and Responsibilities:

      Serve as a Little Free Library Caretaker while using your personal vehicle to:

      • Pick up Little Free Library books from the Advanced Learning Library
      • Restock Wichita Public Library's designated Little Free Library boxes with books
      • Report any issues with Little Free Library boxes
      • Clean boxes and make minor repairs, if able

      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: Flexible schedule, pickup and delivery could be scheduled any time between Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Caretakers would deliver to up to seven Little Free Libraries every 2 weeks.

      Working Conditions: Working outdoors.

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

    • 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, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 11:15–1:30 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.

    • Job Purpose: This adult volunteer position assists library staff with unpacking of library materials deliveries and processing the delivery requests, helping to make requested material available to library customers quicker.

      Duties and Responsibilities:

      Deliveries Assistants are expected to:

      • Unpack delivery boxes
      • Use the library's computer system to process requested material
      • Shelve requested material on holds shelves, shifting and straightening the shelves as needed
      • Work efficiently, making good use of time
      • Abide by all volunteer, library, and city policy and procedures

      Qualifications:

      • Age 18 or older
      • Computer experience
      • Ability to file alphabetically
      • Ability to work a regular schedule
      • Self-motivated and able to work with limited supervision
      • Enthusiastic attitude and willingness to learn new tasks
      • Professional demeanor

      Hours: Hours will be based on position open but typically one afternoon a week, Monday through Friday, 1:30-4 p.m. Report date will be sometime in the first quarter of 2025.

      Working Conditions: Must be able to work in a busy, active environment without being distracted.

      Physical Requirements: Must be able to stand, sit, bend, and kneel for long periods of time with reasonable accommodation. Must be able to push a cart weighing up to 250 pounds.

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