Volunteer at the Library!
Lancaster Public Library relies on the generous support of volunteers in its efforts to best serve the community. Volunteers assist by shelving books, assisting with events & programs, running the Juliana and Marshall Street Bookstores, and much more!
We can’t do what we do without you! Join the dozens of volunteers who give their time and talent to support Lancaster Public Library each year.
With a variety of volunteer positions available, we can match you with an opportunity that will help us meet the community’s information needs and bring you camaraderie, challenges, and fun!
Current Volunteer Opportunities
Lancaster Public Library – Lancaster City Branch
- Plant Care Specialist(s)
- We are looking for an indoor plant enthusiast to help our potted plants grow and thrive. Duties include: watering, repotting plants, pot-washing, and light maintenance.
- Shelving Volunteer(s)
- With its vast collection of books, DVDs, and audiobooks, we are looking for volunteers to assist in restocking new and returned material.
- Attention to detail is a must and a regular weekly time commitment is appreciated.
- Monday afternoons
- Wednesday afternoons
- Light lifting and bending is required.
Lancaster Public Library – Mountville Branch
We do great things every day at the Mountville Branch—but we can’t do any of those things without the time and effort provided by our generous volunteers!
- No openings currently, but check back soon!
Juliana Bookstore – at the Lancaster City Branch
The Juliana Bookstore sells quality used books for all ages at extremely reasonable prices. If you have a few hours free weekly or monthly, please consider becoming a member of our volunteer staff.
- Book Seller
- Work in our volunteer-staffed bookstore. Regularly interact with people of our community and help them find books and suggest them too!
Book Operations Team Members – Book ReSort
We can use all kinds of volunteers to support our ever-growing book sale projects! Below are a few specific areas we could use help with – not in any particular order and all with training provided:
- Book Donation Volunteers
- Ability to move donated books (in boxes and bags) to skids and run pallet jack
- Monday and Wednesday morning shifts available immediately
- Looking to add first Saturday hours in the future
- Book Sorting Volunteers
- Includes people with special interests – kid’s books, cookbooks, history knowledge, etc.
- Monday and Wednesday morning shifts available immediately
- Looking to add first Saturday hours in the future
- Internet Sales Team Member
- Basic computer skills needed, will train with specifics
- Leadership Team
- Looking for volunteers to help with the overall planning and execution of book sale events
- Warehouse Team
- Looking to add members to our team responsible for storing books for sales, planning transport to Big Book Sale, keeping warehouse efficient and productive
The Book ReSort, located at 225 N. Marshall Street in Lancaster is the headquarters for our Book Operations Team.
Court Order Community Service
We are not currently accepting applications for court ordered community service volunteers. Volunteer interest is outpacing the amount of available volunteer opportunities. We appreciate your patience as we bring back this important service and encourage you to check back for more upcoming opportunities.
Apply Today!
Volunteers must be at least 16 years of age or older, and all volunteers over the age of 18 must submit a Criminal Record Check and a PA Child Abuse History Clearance, as well as a fingerprint-based Federal Criminal History background check. If you have lived in PA for 10 consecutive years, rather than pursue the fingerprint based background check, you can sign and submit the Disclosure Statement.
Please read the Letter to Prospective Volunteers to learn more about the volunteer application process. For detailed information about required volunteer certifications (mandated by state law and our policies), please see our Volunteer Certification Procedure.
If you have questions, please contact Manager of Community Engagement, Leigh Kaliss, at (717) 394-2651, ext. 273.