Stanislaus County Library

Volunteer Job Description - Homework Helper Volunteer

Purpose of Position: Volunteers will assist students with their homework during Homework Help sessions.

Qualifications

• Ability to help with homework from grade K-12 levels and for most school subjects.
• Ability to relate well to youth and enjoy helping them.
• Good communication.
• Patience.
• Flexibility.

Responsible To

• Teen/Children's Library Assistants and Librarians.

Responsibilities: Typical duties include, but are not limited to:

• Assist students with their homework.
• Work with other volunteers and library staff to run Homework Help sessions.

Training Provided

• Homework Help volunteer orientation.
• Overview of library programs and resources.

Benefits of Volunteering

• Satisfaction of providing a needed service to community and library staff
• Gain skills and work experience

Time Commitment

• A two-hour shift once a week is ideal, however:
• A commitment of a two-hour shift twice a month for 4 months is the minimum.

Length of Commitment

• Minimum of 4 months.

Contact: Patti Boardrow
1500 I Street
Modesto, CA 95354
(209) 558-7801

Volunteer Job Description - LearningQuest

Purpose of Position: LearningQuest is a Stanislaus County Library program designed to make basic literacy services available to all English speaking adults throughout Stanislaus County. We are currently seeking volunteers to help facilitate adult learners in achieving their literacy goals.

Qualifications

• Ability to perform basic reading and writing skills in English.
• Desire to make a real difference in someone's life.
• Willingness to use new educational approaches.

Responsible To

• Program Director, Tutor-Student Coordinator

Responsibilities

• Completion of literacy workshop training.
• Complete and return monthly tutor report.
• Plan lessons tailored to the needs of your adult learner.

Training Provided

• Tutor and learner literacy workshop with additional ongoing trainings offered.
• We provide training, in-services, books and materials in a safe environment.

Support

• Friendly staff available to assist you with your tutoring needs.

Opportunities

• One-on-one tutoring
• Families for Literacy
• Spelling, Reading, and Writing

Benefits of Volunteering

• Satisfaction derived from helping others reach their goals.
• Opportunities to use your special skills and make new friends.

Time Commitment

• Three hours per week

Length of Commitment

• Six months minimum

Contact: LearningQuest
1500 I Street
Modesto, CA 95354
(209) 558-4505

Volunteer Job Description - Library Helper

Purpose of Position: To help library staff complete a variety of daily tasks necessary to the operation of the library. May include work on special one-time projects.

Qualifications

• Good attention to detail
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to arrange material in alphabetical and numerical order
• Ability to work quickly and accurately
• Ability to become familiar with the Dewey Decimal System
• Ability to push, bend, stretch, lift, and kneel
• Knowledge of basic computer skills may be needed
• Flexibility

Responsible To

• Assigned supervisor

Responsibilities

Typical duties include, but are not limited to:

• Sorting books and other materials
• Locating materials from bibliographic lists
• Updating files
• Photocopying
• Use of word processor and/or graphics software
• Straightening and cleaning bookshelves
• Cleaning or recovering library materials
• Indexing
• Giving supervisor sufficient notice if time off is needed
• Working with library catalog

Training Provided

• Orientation to library
• Computer skills needed to fulfill given responsibilities
• Instruction on shelf reading and straightening.
• Instruction and guidance relating to specific projects or programs.

Benefits of Volunteering

• Satisfaction of providing a needed service to community and library staff
• Gain skills and work experience

Time Commitment

• A minimum of one hour per week

Length of Commitment

• Variable

Contact: Patti Boardrow
1500 I Street
Modesto, CA 95354
(209) 558-7801

Volunteer Job Description - Library Veterans Benefits Coach

Position Overview and Impact: Serve as point of contact to ensure that veterans and veteran families of every era know how to get connected to the state and federal benefits and services they have earned through military service.

Veteran benefits:

• Improve the lives of veterans and their families;
• Bring hundreds of millions of dollars into the State every year;
• Lower the local cost of veteran healthcare;
• Reduce veteran homeless numbers;
• Reduce veteran unemployment numbers;
• Increase veteran enrollment in California colleges and universities.

Key Responsibilities:

1. “Staff” a Veterans Resource Station in the library for a minimum of one 2-hour shift per week to meet with veterans and/or family members. Serve as expert listener and initial problem solver.
2. Help each veteran or veteran family member complete the My CalVet online form at www.calvet.ca.gov, or complete the print version of the “Veterans Reintegration Form.” Either of these forms enters the individual into CalVet’s database and helps identify the benefits and services they need and for which they may be eligible. Once in the system, CalVet or a designated representative, will make contact with the veteran.
3. Guide the veteran toward those benefits that are likely to enhance their particular situation- and, using the California Veteran’s Resource Book, provide contact information for the County Veterans Service Office in their county - of residence, so they can make an appointment. Also, provide a checklist of the basic documents the veteran should take to their appointment in order to expedite their access to services.
4. If, during the conversation, additional service needs are identified, provide contact information to other library or community services. If a veteran is in a crisis, refer to the list of emergency service numbers provided.
5. Maintain data on number of veterans/family members served, types of questions asked, referrals made, and issues/topic areas needed but not covered in the library’s collection.

Qualifications:

• Interest in helping and serving veterans and their families;
• Patience, empathy and good listening and interpersonal skills;
• Familiarity with military life, veterans’ issues, reintegration challenges, or willingness to learn;
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and respect personal boundaries;
• Basic computer and Internet skills required; smart phone experience helpful.
• Successful completion of all training for this position.

Staff Volunteer Contacts: Your main contact for problem solving and questions about veterans’ benefits and services will be the CalVet: (877) 741-8532.

Administrative contact person at the Library: Patti Boardrow (209) 558-7801.

Training and Support Provided: A one-day training will be provided by CalVet about veterans benefits and services, veteran reintegration challenges, listening and problem-solving skills, as well as meaningful information and referral techniques. The library will provide a tour of the facility and the Veterans Resource Station and its contents.

Time Commitment: Minimum one 2-hour shift per week.

Length of Commitment: Minimum six month commitment requested.

Benefits of Volunteering:

• Opportunity to honor veterans’ service by providing important information and referrals for them and their families.
• Training and experience in interviewing, needs assessment, and information and referral.

Contact Person: Chris Moreno (209) 558-8097