Volunteer

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 do great things every day at Lancaster Public Library—but we can’t do any of those things without the time and effort provided by our generous volunteers!

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

BIG Book Sale

We need dozens of volunteers for an event the size of the BIG Book Sale. There is a job for almost everyone!

  • Set Up Volunteers
    • Table setup: Tuesday, June 17 from 9AM-3PM
      • Set up book sale tables
      • Unload boxes of books from truck
      • This volunteer job requires significant physical labor. Training will be provided.
      • Sign up HERE!
    • Book Movers: Wednesday, June 18 from 9AM-3PM
      • Move boxes of books from loading dock to tables
      • This volunteer job requires significant physical labor. Training will be provided.
      • Sign up HERE!
    • Unpacking Boxes: Wednesday, June 18 from 1-4PM 
      • Help unpack the books and arrange them on tables.
        • If we have more books to unpack, we will be back at it on Thursday, June 19, beginning at 9AM!
      • As a bonus, you will have an opportunity to preview books available at the sale.
      • There is no sign up, just show up, and we’ll show you what to do!
      • You must be at least 14 to volunteer
  • Book Sale Volunteers – June 20 – June 22
    • Book Sale volunteers can work Friday, Saturday, or Sunday shifts
      • If you like to organize, we need one or two people to serve as Volunteer Coordinators.
      • If you’re young and active, we need people to help buyers get purchases to their cars.
      • If you need to sit down, we need people to count books and receive money.
      • If you like to browse among the books, we need people to keep the tables orderly.
      • If you like a fast pace, we need people to resort books and get them back on the tables so more can be sold.
    • Shifts are typically 2-3 hours in length
    • View the online signup HERE!
  • Clean Up Volunteers – Sunday, June 22 from 5-8PM
    • A major part of cleanup is putting the unsold books into large cardboard gaylords, placed at various places around the floor of the facility.
    • We also will remove signs and tables – this can be physical work! The more help, the quicker we get finished.
    • There is no sign up, just show up, and we’ll show you what to do!

Lancaster Public Library – Lancaster City Branch

No current openings

Lancaster Public Library – Mountville Branch

We are looking for a volunteer to support circulation activities at the Mountville Branch. Our volunteers perform many important jobs, and are essential to maintaining quality library service. If you have any of the following days/times open, please apply today!

  • Tuesdays – 9:30AM-12:30PM (June – August)
  • Thursdays – 2:30 to 4:30PM

Juliana Bookstore – 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.

  • Manager
    • If you are a strong leader who enjoys mixing with people of all ages, helping customers find the ideal books, using a cash register and credit card machine, and making attractive displays, please consider apply for the Manager position at the Juliana Bookstore!
  • Book Seller
    • Work in our volunteer-staffed bookstore. Regularly interact with people of our community and help them find books and suggest them too!

Marshall Street Bookstore – 225 N. Marshall Street

The Marshall Street 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.

  • Manager
    • If you are a strong leader who enjoys mixing with people of all ages, helping customers find the ideal books, using a cash register and credit card machine, and making attractive displays, please consider apply for the Manager position at the Marshall Street Bookstore!
  • Book Seller
    • Work in our volunteer-staffed bookstore. Regularly interact with people of our community and help them find books and suggest them too!
    • Looking for volunteers with Monday and Wednesday availability.

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!

The application process begins when you click on the volunteer application button below. For paper applications, please contact our Manager of Community Engagement or visit your local LPL branch.

Volunteer Application

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. 2270.