Purpose and Intent

The Hiawatha Public Library uses volunteers to supplement the efforts of paid staff in providing quality public service. Volunteers are viewed as important liaisons between the library and the community. Through its volunteer services program, the library seeks to develop a group of citizens who can assist the library in interpreting its needs to the community. Volunteers also keep the library in touch with the community it serves. Volunteer workers do not substitute for paid staff but assist with programs or projects that supplement or complement staff duties.

Definition

A “volunteer” is defined as a person who, of their own volition provides services to the Hiawatha Public Library without compensation.

Eligibility

Participants who provide volunteer services to the Hiawatha Public Library must be at least 12 years of age.The National Sex Abuse Registry and Iowa Sex Abuse Registry will be checked for all applicants. Any applicant with a criminal history for sex or child abuse convictions, or who is serving community service to satisfy a conviction for theft, fraud, forgery or violence will automatically be denied volunteer placement.

Supervision

Volunteers at the Hiawatha Public Library are considered to be under staff supervision. Supervision will be provided by all HPL staff on duty. All staff will be responsible for training and direct oversight of a volunteer’s performance.

Dismissal

Volunteers may be terminated for failure to perform assigned job duties, failure to meet minimum standards of performance, or for violations of library rules. The library staff reserves the right to dismiss a volunteer at any time.

Apply

To apply, please download the form below and bring it to the Front Desk of the Hiawatha Public Library after filling it out.

Download Form