Keep materials in order and shelves neat. Volunteers adopt a subject area that is of personal interest and maintain its order, accessibility, and appearance. 

Branch: All Branches

Age: 14+

Schedule: 2+ hrs weekly

Responsibilities:

• Maintain shelf order, accessibility, and appearance. 
• Meet with Library staff to learn about the chosen area. 
• Put materials in order. 
• Pull materials to the front of the shelf. 
• Shift materials if necessary. 
• Dust and clean shelves 
• Collect litter for disposal. 
• Ensure materials belong in your section. 

Preferred skills:

• Able to alphabetize and organize numerically.
• Detail-oriented and organized.
• Ability to reach top and bottom shelves, bend, and stretch.

Training required

We offer training sessions during February, May, August, and November. During those months, we offer multiple training sessions to do our best to accommodate our applicants’ scheduling needs. You will only be required to attend one session. You may apply year-round, but please understand that until the months listed above, you will not be able to complete training and start volunteering. If you have questions, please call 410-313-7792.  

The Enchanted Garden volunteers help maintain the garden through planting, tending, and harvesting. Volunteers will learn about raised bed gardening, native plants, and pollinator habitats. This is an opportunity to connect with other volunteers and learn sustainable gardening techniques. Novice to experienced gardeners welcomed.  

Applications: Accepted in March

The Enchanted Garden is relatively small, and spots fill up quickly. You may be referred to volunteer at another program outside of HCLS. 

Branch: Miller

Age: 14+ 

Responsibilities:

• Seed and plant vegetables  
• Prune perennial plants  
• Harvest vegetables and fruits for the Howard County Food Bank  
• Maintain garden beds 
• Manage compost bin system  
• Connect with other like-minded community members!

Share your expertise by informally teaching effective communicate in your native tongue. Available to fluent speakers of all languages.

Volunteers encourage customers to participate in Summer Reading Games, support staff with a variety of tasks like display, data entry, class prep, etc., and distribute prizes at the culmination of Summer Reading.   

Ages 14-17 

Click here to Apply

Branch: All Branches
Age: 14-17

Responsibilities: 

• Meet monthly to discuss topics that interest teens 
• Share ideas for book displays, classes, and programs/events  
• Learn and contribute to library initiatives 
• Have fun and engage with other teens!
   

This opportunity is unique to each branch and the participating teens 

Branch: All Branches
Age: 14-17 

Responsibilities: 

• Share ideas for a class you would like to teach or assist with  
• Gain mentorship/assistance with writing a proposal 
• Learn to form a lesson plan 
• Enjoy the experience of teaching community members within HCLS branches

Before teaching, the teen will need to complete a questionnaire and proposal form to be approved by instructors  

This opportunity is unique to each branch and the participating teens 

Welcome customers to the Makerspace and encourage them to explore the STEM tools. Provide support as they create, build, design, and bring their ideas to life! Training on makerspace tools and equipment will be provided.  

Branch: Glenwood 

Ages: 18+ 

Schedule: 1-2 hrs. weekly  

Responsibilities: 

• Share expertise on equipment in the Makerspace. 
• Suggest equipment to help customers achieve their goals. 
• Organize, clean, and refill supplies. 
• Assist with classes as needed.
   

Preferred skills: 

• You love creating and working with your hands. 
• You are a creative maker and teacher. 
• You are a problem solver. 
• Able to quickly learn new software and programs. 
• A workable knowledge of Makerspace tools. 
• Experience with any of the following hardware /software:
  • Cricut or Silhouette machines
  • Adobe Creative Suite 
  • CAD software and/or 3D printers 
  • Garage Band or LogicPro 
  • Lego Mindstorms 

Age: 18+
Branch: All 
Schedule: Varies based on need 

Responsibilities: 

• Teach adult learners’ computer and technology skills. 
• Help customers stay connected to friends and access vital resources. 
• Bridge the digital divide through education. 
• Explore values and behaviors to promote a collaborative learning experience.  

 Preferred skills: 

• Be comfortable using and teaching valuable computer and technology skills needed to thrive in today’s digital world. 

Teach reading, writing, speaking, and listening to adults who do not have a high school diploma and/or learners who speak English as a second language. Library staff provide ongoing instructional support, and all materials are free. 

Branch: Central Branch
Ages: 18+
Schedule: 1-3 hrs weekly 

Responsibilities: 

• Provide one-to-one adult tutoring. 
• Participate in new instructor orientation. 
• Complete at least eight hours of annual training. 

Preferred skills: 

• Instructors are required to have a bachelor’s degree. 

Come enhance English speaking skills conversationally. Informal engagement with community members who are learning English as a second language.   

Share recipes and visit a local store to showcase the ingredients used. In-person grocery store tour. Photos and/or videos will be taken and may be shared on HCLS platform.