Volunteer Opportunities at the University of Virginia Library

"I a.m. grateful for the many ways volunteers
have strengthened our programs and services,
and for the links they provide to the community."
-- Karin Wittenborg, University Librarian

Volunteers are attracted to the University of Virginia Library for a variety of reasons. Some come to learn and gain expertise, while others wish to experience the fun and excitement of involvement with a major educational and cultural center. Some volunteer in order to bridge a transition period in their life, and still others volunteer to simply share their time and their talents.

The University of Virginia encourages volunteerism as one way to involve members of the community in the activities of the Library and the University. Our volunteer program enhances the resources and services of the Library by providing much-needed support for Library staff.

Why The Library Has Volunteers

Volunteers provide a fresh approach. Because volunteers are primarily motivated by a desire to serve, they bring with them an abiding interest in and an enthusiasm for the Library and all of its functions. This attitude, coupled with the range of experience brought by volunteers to the library environment, provides a reservoir of talent and expertise from which the Library can draw.

Volunteers help expand services within existing budgets. By supplementing library staff without receiving direct remuneration, volunteers allow the Library to expand its services to the public, to further research and development operations, and to extend its reach into the community at large.

Volunteers are a bridge between the Library and the community. In serving both as resources for an as supporters of the Library, volunteers represent the Library and its extraordinary collections to a constituency that is much broader than the University community. In so doing, volunteers facilitate the work of the Library while increasing the public's understanding and knowledge of that work.

Benefits for Volunteers

• Annual Volunteer Reception.
• Volunteers will be invited to attend Library Associates events, such as exhibit openings, trips, lectures, and the annual dinner.

Consider the following before making your commitment:

• In most cases, there will be at least two required training sessions.
• Be sure that your schedule will allow you to meet the minimum length of commitment necessary for a project.
• If you find that you are not suited for a particular project, notify the Volunteer Coordinator as soon as possible. An effort will be made to find you a more suitable match.

A Sampling of Volunteer Opportunities

• Assist Cataloging with translation of modern languages, such as Chinese, Hebrew, and Japanese.
• Serve as building and exhibit docents for the Harrison Institute/Small Special Collections Library. More info about Harrison volunteer position
• Assist Library Associates Coordinator with correspondence and special projects.
• Search for materials in WorldCat online catalog, and assist Interlibrary Services Staff in requesting items from other libraries for faculty, staff, and students.
• Scan documents for Library digital collections.
• Shelve books and assist with stacks maintenance (requires bending and lifting).
• Staff Service Desk in the Robertson Media Center, or other library units.

Ready to volunteer? Contact the Volunteer Coordinator.