Adult Volunteers
Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Onslow County Public Library. The goal of the Onslow County Public Library Volunteer Program is to enhance the Library's ability to provide quality services to the public and to provide rewarding volunteer opportunities for hard-working individuals in our community.
If you're interested in learning more about our adult volunteer opportunities, please fill out an Adult Volunteer Application, or call or email your local library branch.
Frequently Asked Questions
What jobs are available for adult volunteers?
Volunteers are welcome to assist staff in shelving, cleaning and mending materials and equipment, program and special event assistance, and tech assistance. While many of these jobs are not glamorous, and many are tedious, all assistance is greatly appreciated by library staff and the community.
Adult volunteers are not allowed to conduct storytimes, participate in children’s programming, or have access to patron records or library finances.
How long does the application process take?
Generally, the application process takes about two months from application submission. Most applicants will be called or emailed for an initial interview, which usually takes 15-20 minutes. If we all agree that we are a good fit for each other, the next steps are background checks through Onslow County Human Resources, and county and library orientation, and on-the-job training. Not all applicants will be accepted as volunteers.
Do I have to have a background check?
Yes. In order to protect customers, staff and other volunteers, the County performs a background check for all adults who want to volunteer with the County.
Is there a time commitment for volunteers?
Yes. Due to the length of time to process applications, we ask regular adult volunteers to commit to a minimum of six hours a month for a period of at least six months. Exceptions apply for event volunteers.
What is the dress code for volunteers?
Volunteers are representatives of the library while on duty. Volunteers must present a clean and neat appearance, and should dress comfortably but appropriately for their assigned tasks and for a business environment. Volunteer supervisors can provide additional guidance on branch/department expectations and may require modifications of dress or grooming to meet standards and to ensure safety. All volunteers must wear either a volunteer lanyard when volunteering.
What can I expect to gain as a volunteer?
All volunteers will support and increase the Onslow County Public Library's ability to provide services to our communities.
What about the Friends of the Library?
Being a Friend of the Library is one way to help your local branch better serve its community. Friends of the Onslow County Public Library (OCPL) is a non-profit organization comprised of community volunteers who generate funds to help support programs and services at all branches of the Onslow County Public Library. They do so by encouraging membership in the Friends Groups and holding used books sales. The Friends of the Onslow County Public Library are made up of the Jacksonville, Richlands, Sneads Ferry, and Swansboro Friends of the Library Groups.
While some Friends of the Library offer support primarily through membership, others become involved more actively by participating in Friends board meetings, supporting library programs, sorting book donations, and offering support at community outreach events. Friends who are involved at this level represent the Library to customers and have access to staff work areas, so they are required to complete the Library’s volunteer application process, including background checks, and to report their volunteer hours to the branch’s site supervisor.
A Friends Member Application can be obtained at any of the OCPL branches, and more information on Onslow County Public Library’s Friends of the Library groups can be obtained at http://www.onslowcountync.gov/721/Friends-of-the-Library.
Does the Library offer internship opportunities?
Onslow County Public Library’s goal is to provide undergraduate and graduate students with a meaningful and realistic work experience that will be beneficial to both students and our organization.
Undergraduate and graduate students who are interested in applying for unpaid internships directly connected with an educational program should fill out an application and then contact the library location they are interested in interning with and be prepared to share learning outcomes, a syllabus, and a potential timeframe with that location’s coordinator.
What if my question isn't listed?
Please contact us. We can be reached by email at library@onslowcountync.gov or by phone at 910.455.7350.
If you're interested in learning more about our adult volunteer opportunities, please fill out an Adult Volunteer Application, or call or email your local library branch.
Frequently Asked Questions
What jobs are available for adult volunteers?
Volunteers are welcome to assist staff in shelving, cleaning and mending materials and equipment, program and special event assistance, and tech assistance. While many of these jobs are not glamorous, and many are tedious, all assistance is greatly appreciated by library staff and the community.
Adult volunteers are not allowed to conduct storytimes, participate in children’s programming, or have access to patron records or library finances.
How long does the application process take?
Generally, the application process takes about two months from application submission. Most applicants will be called or emailed for an initial interview, which usually takes 15-20 minutes. If we all agree that we are a good fit for each other, the next steps are background checks through Onslow County Human Resources, and county and library orientation, and on-the-job training. Not all applicants will be accepted as volunteers.
Do I have to have a background check?
Yes. In order to protect customers, staff and other volunteers, the County performs a background check for all adults who want to volunteer with the County.
Is there a time commitment for volunteers?
Yes. Due to the length of time to process applications, we ask regular adult volunteers to commit to a minimum of six hours a month for a period of at least six months. Exceptions apply for event volunteers.
What is the dress code for volunteers?
Volunteers are representatives of the library while on duty. Volunteers must present a clean and neat appearance, and should dress comfortably but appropriately for their assigned tasks and for a business environment. Volunteer supervisors can provide additional guidance on branch/department expectations and may require modifications of dress or grooming to meet standards and to ensure safety. All volunteers must wear either a volunteer lanyard when volunteering.
What can I expect to gain as a volunteer?
All volunteers will support and increase the Onslow County Public Library's ability to provide services to our communities.
What about the Friends of the Library?
Being a Friend of the Library is one way to help your local branch better serve its community. Friends of the Onslow County Public Library (OCPL) is a non-profit organization comprised of community volunteers who generate funds to help support programs and services at all branches of the Onslow County Public Library. They do so by encouraging membership in the Friends Groups and holding used books sales. The Friends of the Onslow County Public Library are made up of the Jacksonville, Richlands, Sneads Ferry, and Swansboro Friends of the Library Groups.
While some Friends of the Library offer support primarily through membership, others become involved more actively by participating in Friends board meetings, supporting library programs, sorting book donations, and offering support at community outreach events. Friends who are involved at this level represent the Library to customers and have access to staff work areas, so they are required to complete the Library’s volunteer application process, including background checks, and to report their volunteer hours to the branch’s site supervisor.
A Friends Member Application can be obtained at any of the OCPL branches, and more information on Onslow County Public Library’s Friends of the Library groups can be obtained at http://www.onslowcountync.gov/721/Friends-of-the-Library.
Does the Library offer internship opportunities?
Onslow County Public Library’s goal is to provide undergraduate and graduate students with a meaningful and realistic work experience that will be beneficial to both students and our organization.
Undergraduate and graduate students who are interested in applying for unpaid internships directly connected with an educational program should fill out an application and then contact the library location they are interested in interning with and be prepared to share learning outcomes, a syllabus, and a potential timeframe with that location’s coordinator.
What if my question isn't listed?
Please contact us. We can be reached by email at library@onslowcountync.gov or by phone at 910.455.7350.