Rapides Parish Library

Rapides Parish Library Volunteer Procedure

Volunteers at the Rapides Parish Library are an important part of the library’s services to the community. We encourage the attitude of service and dedication that volunteerism represents and hope that this policy makes volunteering a positive experience for all.

Volunteer Registration – All volunteers must complete a volunteer registration form prior to beginning service as a library volunteer. The form is available online at our website, or from any branch. Individual branch managers can take, review and accept/deny any volunteer application that is not adjudicated community service that is ordered by a judge. In the case of adjudicated service those applications need to come through the office of the Volunteer Coordinator.

Volunteer Service – Service as a library volunteer does not constitute a contract of employment – either expressed or implied – between the volunteer and the library. No other benefits beyond those intrinsic in community service should be construed as devolving to library volunteers as a condition of their service. Library volunteers are not guaranteed certain hours or certain tasks for their library service and serve at the sole discretion of the library’s administration.

Recording of Volunteer Hours – All volunteers are required to log their hours and to submit them monthly to the library branch manager for relaying to the Assistant Director for Direct Services and the Volunteer Coordinator.

Coordinating Volunteer Hours with Partner Agencies – The library’s Volunteer Coordinator will report hours of service for volunteers registered with partner agencies that have a cooperative agreement with Rapides Parish Library. For other agencies and organizations, the library can and will verify volunteer hours of service on a case by case basis provided that such verification provides no undue burden to the library’s personnel or resources.

Minimum Age – The minimum age for library volunteers is 12 years of age. Volunteers under the age of 14 will be required to have a parent or guardian present when they volunteer.