Volunteer Policy of Troy-Miami County Public Library
Approved: February 2, 2010
Revised: January 19, 2022
Revised: March 15, 2023
The Troy-Miami County Public Library Volunteer Program is designed to expand and enhance public service to the community. Volunteers generally provide support services to paid staff or work on special projects.
Volunteers are expected to act in accordance with all library policies and to reflect positive customer service attitudes to all library patrons.
Selection of Volunteers
Volunteers are selected based on their qualifications in relation to the needs of the library at any given time, and based on their ability to commit to a consistent schedule of volunteer hours. If there are no suitable volunteer opportunities at the time of application, forms will be kept on file for one year. Applicants will be called if a project is identified which matches their interests or qualifications.
Guidelines
- Volunteers shall conduct themselves in a professional manner, are expected to adhere to all library policies and procedures, and must accept the guidance and decisions of the paid staff.
- Volunteers are recognized by the public as representatives of the library and shall be guided by the same work and behavior code as employees.
- Volunteers work under an at-will status and may be discharged with or without cause or advance notice.
- Volunteers must maintain confidentiality of all proprietary or privileged information whether this information involves an individual staff member, volunteer, patron, or involves library business.
- Volunteers will not be compensated by wages, benefits or any other means.
- Volunteers may have their photograph taken as part of library promotions.
- Volunteers are asked to wear a name badge that identifies them as a volunteer.
- Volunteers must stay within the bounds of their given responsibilities. Volunteers are expected to refer all requests for information to the library staff, other than purely directional questions (e.g. “where is the bathroom?”; “where is the children’s room,” etc.)
- Volunteers must be reliable in their commitment and to notify the library in advance if they are unable to work their regularly scheduled time slot. In turn, volunteers will be notified immediately on any given day when the library opens late or closes early for any reason.
- Volunteers must keep an accurate record of the hours they work each week for use by Administration.
- The library is generally unable to accommodate court-ordered community service.
- Volunteers under 18 need a parent or guardian signature
- Volunteers over 18 will be asked to submit to a background check.
- The Human Resources Manager shall oversee the use and recognition of volunteers. Each department that uses volunteers shall designate a Volunteer Supervisor to train and supervise volunteers.