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Volunteer Opportunities at the Dallas Public Library

Special Programs

The Dallas Public Library has a variety of special programs and events throughout the year that welcome the participation of volunteers.

  • Monthly Book Sale at BookEnds (Downtown Central Library used book store). Volunteers are needed every third weekend to prepare and arrange materials for sale.

  • Personal Resume Assistance Program (year round). Help library customers create or polish their personal resume at our Job Resource Center and other special events. Volunteer tasks include: One on one assistance, classroom facilitator, and classroom assistant.


  • Literacy Programs

    • Children’s Program Assistant - will conduct storytimes, craft activities and other library and literacy-related activities with children 3-8 years old while the children’s parents attend an adult literacy class at Dallas Public Library locations. Special training provided.

    • ESL Volunteers – lead or assist with 12-week English as a Second Language instruction classes on Saturdays in the fall and spring semesters. Special training provided.

    • GED Assistants – work one-on-one or with small groups to prepare students for GED subject tests at a library “guided instruction” center or manage GED class material, including sign-in process, book and calculator check-out, and personal instruction forms for GED guided instruction classes. Special training provided.

    • Testing Assistants – assist with GED placement testing and grading at the Central Library on the first Saturday of the month. Special training provided.

For more information on volunteering for literacy programs and events please contact the literacy coordinator: literacy@dallaslibrary2.org

Additional Projects and Opportunities

Ambassador Program

Ambassadors represent a cross-section of the City of Dallas. No formal qualifications are required but our Ambassadors are friendly, enthusiastic individuals who enjoy working with diverse groups of people. They are volunteers who willingly give of their time to advance the many services provided by the Dallas Public Library.

For more information on becoming one of our Ambassadors please send us an email: volunteer@dallaslibrary2.org.

Central Library Bookstore

We are looking for volunteers for a variety of projects at BookEnds, the library's used book store. Projects may include sorting and shelving books as well as preparing books for sale.

A brief training and orientation is provided.

For more information on becoming one of our Central Library Greeters please send us an email: volunteer@dallaslibrary2.org

Central Library Greeter

We are looking for library lovers, people who enjoy welcoming customers to the Central library, and can assist them with basic directions to floor locations, special exhibits, program events, children's activities, and other information.

A brief training and orientation is provided.

For more information on becoming one of our Central Library Greeters, please send us an email: volunteer@dallaslibrary2.org

Unique Skill Sets/Experience

If you have special training and skills in marketing, statistics, web development, grant writing, editing, mentoring teens, teaching basic computer classes, working with AV equipment, teaching ESL classes, or other areas of expertise, we have volunteer opportunities for you.

Please contact the volunteer office for more information: volunteer@dallaslibrary2.org

To get a schedule or to register for the next New Volunteer Orientation please call 214-670-7850.

Community Service Classes

As of April 1, 2011, the Library will no longer conduct orientations for court ordered community service volunteers.

The Volunteer Center of North Texas will conduct the orientations at their office, located at 2800 Live Oak Street, Dallas, Texas 75204 and provide information on Dallas Public Library locations and contact numbers. All community service volunteers must call Volunteer Center Community Service Restitution Director Jean Wells at 214-821-8711 to register for orientation.

Regular Community Outreach volunteers will continue to call the library at 214-670-7850 to register for orientation.