Circle Volunteer Brochure

What it Means to Volunteer at the Library

You have heard of the wise saying, what goes around, comes around.
When you reach out your hands, and help an organization, you also
complete a circle of success.

The success of this project is based on you.
Circle was created to support the needs of the library community and your need to give back.

A VOLUNTEER is a person who is a light to others, giving witness in a mixed-up age, doing well and willingly the tasks at hand-namely, being aware of another's needs and doing something about it.

“Be of service. Whether you make yourself available to a friend or co-worker, or you make time every month to do volunteer work, there is nothing that harvests more of a feeling of empowerment than being of service to someone in need.”
- Gillian Anderson

"Volunteer—not so you can build your resume, but so you can build yourself."
-Anonymous

“Volunteer activities can foster enormous leadership skills. The non professional volunteer world is a laboratory for self-realization.”
-Mae West

“The beautiful thing about learning is nobody can take it away from you.”
-B.B.King

Volunteer at the Library

The James V Brown Library is now recruiting responsible volunteers for our team.  For more information, read the position descriptions below or contact Mr. Shawn Newcomer our Volunteer Coordinator at 326-0536, or by email.
To apply simply fill out and return our volunteer application. 

Copies of the volunteer application are also available at the Adult Circulation Desk at the library.  Circle Volunteer Brochure

We're thankful and very grateful for all our wonderful volunteers.

Committed, enthusiastic people help maintain and strengthen the high levels of service our patrons expect and deserve.

Volunteers are selected for a specific job placement based on availability of the job, their qualifications and interests.

The library also welcomes senior-high school and college students who need service learning hours, who are considering a career in library sciences, or who want a feel for the job world. We're a great place to gain valuable work experience.

There are times when more applications are submitted than we have openings to fill. Check with us periodically to see what opportunities are available.

Listen to our podcast about volunteering at the Library. Ken Sawyer interviews, Robin Glossner and Shawn Newcomer.


(9 minutes 30 seconds)

Circle Volunteer Brochure

Here are the volunteer opportunities at the James V. Brown Library:

Art Activity Center Planner
Plans and implements activities for the art activity center that meet the educational and artistic needs of children, parents, and caregivers by creating hands-on make and take art activities. This person will create these special art activities on a monthly basis ensuring that they are simple, developmentally appropriate, inexpensive and most importantly, allow for children to explore their imagination. This person will work with Youth Services staff for supplies and ideas. This person will work with Youth Services staff for supplies and ideas.  Position Description

Bag Ladies (& GENTS)
People with basic sewing skills can help the library raise money by creating fabric book bags that can be sold at our circulation desks.   Position Description

Bibliotopia Readers Guide
Working out of the new basement level “Bibliotopia” fiction collection Reader’s Guides help people find books, operate the self-checkouts and promote use of online Readers Advisory Program.   Position Description

BRAVO (Bringing Reading to All through Volunteer Outreach)
The volunteer meets with the reader(s) to establish a relationship, develop a clear understanding of the reader’s interests and needs, and to set up a delivery time which allows the volunteer to deliver and pick up materials, and to visit with their reader(s).  Position Description

Bravo Book Buddies
BBB’s may “work” from home or at the library helping download audiobooks onto MP3 players for
older residents with vision problems who lack the technology skills to download their own books. You can improve the quality of someone’s life.   Position Description

Dewey Eyes - No current openings
Few things are as frustrating for Library members as not finding that book, DVD or magazine where it’s supposed to be. We need shelf readers and material “shelvers” to make sure the item is placed in its proper Dewey Decimal number location. This is the ideal job for those who love structure and order. Position Description

Family Tree Doctors
Local historians and genealogists are invited to assist novices by sharing your research skills and helping them locate books and information in the Pennsylvania Collection, as well as providing a variety of possible services and programs. Position Description

Friends of the Library, Friends Favorites Bookstore  & Sellers
Help to preserve and strengthen the library, and to create awareness and appreciation of library services through publicity, fundraising and advocacy programs. The Friends sponsor book review luncheons, book sales, author events, exhibits and other activities.

If you enjoy organizing and categorizing, Friends needs you! Our crew of book sorters bring order to the thousands of books donated throughout the year for our store, Friends Favorites Gently Used Book, and for our annual book sale.

If you’re more of a people person and enjoy interacting and helping others directly, a Friends Favorites Gently Used Books store position may be just the volunteering opportunity you’re looking for. You will work in our bright, cheery used bookstore on the 3rd floor of the new Welch Children’s Wing of the James V. Brown Library.  Join the Friends

Literacy Tutors
Following 12 hours of standardized training tutors are matched with an adult over the age of
wants to improve his or her reading and other basic skills or with someone from another coun
wanting to learn English with the guidance and supervision of the tutor/student coordinator.  Position Description

Market Street Matinees Cinemaster
Part of a volunteer team hosting regularly scheduled movie matinees and periodic special
events.   Position Description

Outreach Storyteller
The Outreach Storyteller provides storytime programs that meet the educational and entertainment needs of children, parents, and caregivers by sharing stories, music, and movement in a loosely structured storytime format. This person will provide these stories in various location throughout the community including child care facilities, community centers, clinics, doctor’s offices, etc. These programs will be scheduled through the library’s Youth Services Outreach Coordinator.  Position Description

Poster Girls (& Guys!)
Help promote library events and programs in the community.   Position Description

Red Tapers - No current openings
Help with projects like removing the red tape from books in the new book section after their six-
month stay there before they graduate to the stacks.  Position Description

Rocking Chair Readers - No current openings
The Rocking Chair Reader provides storytime programs that meet the educational and entertainment needs of children, parents, and caregivers by sharing stories, music, and movement in a loosely structured storytime format. This person will share these stories in the children’s wing first floor in various locations. This program will not be a scheduled, sequential program like the library’s other storytimes, but instead offer families an opportunity to experience the joy of having a story shared. Position Description

Rover Greeter
A Rover Greeter is friendly and knowledgeable about the library. This volunteer should be on hand to help people find their way around the library, and to help patrons find the resources they are looking for. They should be able to accompany a patron to the part of the library they are looking for. They should be familiar with the staff and how it functions to be able to enlist the correct help for a patron if required. They should be able to train patrons on self check and help them use it.
Position Description

SeniorNet:  Instructor, Coach or Advisory Board Member
Instructors, provide basic computer instruction to adults over age 50, based on a set curriculum, with training on both the curriculum and software. Class size 8-10 students. Coaches provide individual help to the Instructor and students in the SeniorNet classes. Advisory Board Members help to manage the SeniorNet Learning Center program establishing the training agenda, promoting the program, recruiting and training volunteers, and establishing fees and planning for the long term continuation of the program. Must be over 50 years of age, and willing to commit to one year of service.
Postion Descriptions: Instructor | Coach | Advisory Board Member

Short Order Books - No current openings
Rural, homebound and disabled people rely on the kindness of volunteers who pick materials from an “order” list and package them for personal or mail delivery.  Position Description

Tour Guide
A James V. Brown Library Tour Guide will be available as needed to conduct tours for groups of
the new Welch Family Place and the Vintage Library. The tour guide should be friendly and
knowledgeable, be able to speak clearly in front of a group for about a half hour to an hour, and
be able to lead the group on a walking tour around the Library. Tour guides will receive
training about the history and purposes of the library.  Position Description

Youth Services Tour Guide
A James V. Brown Library Tour Guide will be available as needed to conduct tours for groups of
the new Welch Family Place. Position Description


Circle Volunteer Brochure


For more information or to discuss your own idea about how your talents could help us please contact Shawn Newcomer - Volunteer Coordinator.