Currently all the volunteer spots are full. We are still accepting Pre-Screening Questionnaires to keep on file should anything become available. Pre-Screening Questionnaires are kept in a resource file for one year.
A limited number of volunteer opportunities are available at the Library for Bedford residents. Prospective volunteers will be asked to fill out a Volunteer Pre-Screening Questionnaire or Teen Volunteer Pre-Screening Questionnaire.
Adult Volunteers who are 18 years of age and over will be interviewed if their qualifications, interests, and schedule match an available volunteer opportunity. They must agree to a background check performed by the State of New Hampshire, to be paid for by the volunteer.
Teen Volunteers (ages 14-17) will be required to attend an informational onboarding session, have signed parental permission, a Youth Employment Certificate and photocopy of proof of age (birth certificate or driver license) as well as a Volunteer Reference Form. Teen volunteers are expected to be the point person for their volunteering, but should always feel free to include parents/guardians in communications with library staff.
Volunteer opportunities are available during daytime hours on weekdays. If you are interested in volunteering outside of those times, please contact the Friends of the Library to inquire about other opportunities.
Please review the Library’s Volunteer Policy and the list of Adult and Teen volunteer opportunities (below) before completing your pre-screening questionnaire.
Completed Adult Volunteer Pre-Screening Questionnaires and Teen Volunteer Pre-Screening Questionnaires should be emailed to reference@bedfordnh.org or dropped off at the Library's Reference Desk. Downloadable forms are available at the bottom of this page.
Adult Volunteer Options
- Adopt a Shelf
Volunteers are assigned one section of shelving and are responsible for keeping the books in that section neat and orderly. Volunteers will be shelf-reading, or using the Dewey Decimal System to ensure books are on the shelves in the correct order. They will also straighten and tidy the shelves. Volunteers should be able to commit to a 3-month adoption period, at which time they may choose to renew for another 3 months and select a different section of shelving.
Time commitment: 1 hour every two weeks. Volunteers work unsupervised and may complete their hours at a time of their choosing, during weekday daytime hours. Volunteers should be able to commit to a 3-month adoption period, at which time they may choose to renew for another 3 months and select a different section of shelving.
Desired skills: Attention to detail, ability to bend and reach shelves at different levels. Volunteers will be trained by library staff but should have general knowledge of how to file items in alphabetical or numerical order.
- Book Sale Room
Utilize several websites to determine value of donated books, sort and ship books, and restock and tidy the book sale room.
Time commitment: 2 hours per week.
Desired skills: Previous bookselling experience is a plus, familiarity with Internet and computer functions, ability to lift 15 to 20 lbs, attention to detail.
- Cleaning/Light Dusting
Assist with keeping the library neat and tidy. Tasks may include dusting bookshelves, washing tables, and cleaning computer stations.
Time commitment: 1 to 2 hours per week.
Desired skills: Attention to detail, and ability to bend and reach shelves and tables/desks at different levels.
- Gardening/Yardwork
Help to maintain the library’s raised bed gardens and other library plantings.
Time commitment: 1 to 2 hours per week. May-October.
Desired skills: Previous gardening experience, physical ability to garden (involving bending, using gardening tools, using the hose, etc.).
Assist with DVD and CD cleaning, light book repair and cleaning, magazine straightening, and other tasks as needed.
Time commitment: 1 to 2 hours per week.
Desired skills: Attention to detail and ability to bend and reach shelves at different levels.
Teen Volunteer Options
- Teen Advisory Board
Help library staff with small projects and program planning. Brainstorm and work collaboratively with other members of the board and staff to have a direct impact on library offerings for your peer library users.
Time commitment: Approximately 2 hours bi-weekly, up to five hours monthly.
Desired skills: Clear communication, as teen volunteers are expected to communicate with the rest of the group in person, as well as with staff via email. Creative and willing to work together. Individuals who seek leadership and communication skill building while giving back to the library.
- Missing Maps Event for Teens
Put "the world's vulnerable communities on the map" as a remote volunteer using OpenStreetMap and basic GIS to trace satellite imagery of minimally charted areas. Our mapping is then used by localized community volunteers to input more area specific information including neighborhood and street names. This information is beneficial to humanitarian organizations for planning purposes during disasters and other crisis events. This opportunity does not require full volunteer paperwork to participate.
Time commitment: 2 hours seasonally.
Desired skills: Attention to detail and technologically literate, with a willingness to look at service on a global scale.