Welcome to the Arms Library Volunteer Program - Under revision 11/2023

Thank you for your interest in volunteering at the Arms Library! We value our volunteers as an important support for library staff, and as a demonstration that residents appreciate the positive impact of the library on the quality of life in Shelburne Falls and West County. It’s a great way to get to know your community!

We have recently revamped our Volunteer Program here at the Arms Library, and hope you will consider joining us.

Volunteers provide important support to Arms Library staff and perform a wide variety of tasks that are critical to the mission of the Arms Library. The range of duties is defined largely by the talents and interests of the volunteers themselves, and by where the library can make productive use of their assistance.

Projects may be short or long term, as our Volunteers help library staff provide the level of service our community needs, especially in these times of budget challenges.

Here is a little about our library and volunteering at the Arms. In addition to what you read here, please give us a call with any questions, and check out our Volunteer Policy.

We are open Mondays (1 – 7 p.m.), Wednesdays (11 a.m. – 7 p.m.), and Saturdays, (10 a.m. – 3 p.m.) Volunteer hours take place during those times.

A few of the specific areas where volunteers may help out are:

• shelving books and DVDs
• shelf-reading
• organizing and maintaining newspapers and periodicals
• decorating for holidays
• assisting with creating library displays
• dusting shelves
• putting up posters around town for library events
• assisting with unpacking and processing newly purchased books or DVDs
• helping with setup and breakdown for library programs and events
• typing spine labels
• library advocacy

The Volunteer Program is open to all members of the community. Volunteers are selected based on their qualifications in relation to the needs of the library at any given time, and based on their ability to commit to a consistent schedule of volunteer hours.

Clear work descriptions, policies, training, expectations, evaluation, defined work areas, and volunteer pins will be provided either by the Assistant Library Director or the Library Director.

Stop by to see us!