Carver County Library Board Policy: Volunteer Services
Section LB28

Date Approved: 8/2025
Previous Policy: 1/11/2022
Review Date: 8/2028

Volunteers assist, enhance and support the work of the Carver County Library System.

Volunteers are unpaid, under the direction of paid staff. They do not replace paid staff positions. Volunteers assist paid staff in job tasks, provide additional skills and perform supplemental services that may not otherwise be provided.  In their roles, volunteers are covered by the same liability policy as paid staff. Carver County policy requires a background check for volunteers ages 18 and up. An application and training are required for anyone wishing to volunteer, regardless of age, prior to beginning volunteer tasks.

The Carver County Library Board supports and values the contributions of each volunteer and volunteer task. The Board supports the process of volunteer management including:

• Assessing the need for volunteers as a practical resource for the Library in reaching its goals
• Persons seeking volunteer assignment to meet requirement set by outside agencies for performance of community service will be accepted if there is a suitable match
• Advocating for public support of Library volunteer services
• Implementing Library policies for the volunteer program
• Supporting volunteer program management principles:
  • Program planning and development
  • Promotion of Library services
  • Development of written job tasks and expectations
  • Marketing and recruitment of qualified volunteer applicants
  • Professional application process, interviewing and screening of volunteers
  • Orientation, appropriate training, role assignment and confidentiality policy
  • Providing direction and evaluation of volunteers
  • Maintenance of volunteer records
  • Recognition of volunteer and paid staff efforts
  • Program evaluation
  • Ongoing assessment of needs
  • The development of partnerships with Friends of the Library volunteers and other local volunteer groups to support our libraries

Community organizations, service groups, or the library’s volunteer advisory groups will be considered for volunteer opportunities if there is a suitable match between the organization's goals and the library’s volunteer needs.

Volunteers must be at least thirteen years old.  Persons under the age of eighteen must have parental permission. The youth volunteer program is considered a youth development program with an emphasis on the experience for the youth and not just completing library tasks.