Volunteer Services

Current Volunteers: 

• ESL Tutors, FOG Readers Tutors, and Project Read Tutors, log in to America Learns here.
• Main/Tenderloin Library Volunteers, enter your hours here.
• Neighborhood Library Volunteers, enter your hours here.

Welcome & Overview

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with your Library.

San Francisco Public Library envisions a democratic, equitable and vibrant San Francisco for everyone. The Library's mission is to connect our diverse communities to learning, opportunities, and each other. We value well-being, community, equity, collaboration, and exploration. 

Our volunteers play a central role in realizing this vision, this mission, and these values. 
 

Youth Volunteers

Youth volunteers are listed The Mix’s Jobs & Volunteer Opportunities page.
 

Adult Volunteers

The Library's areas of volunteer service include:

• supporting youth learning (currently limited to FOG Readers Tutor positions)
• fostering English language fluency and literacy (Project Read Tutor; ESL Tutor) and
• bridging the digital divide (Tech Tutors)

In addition, volunteers may provide event support for programs, open houses, and cultural celebrations, or assist with special projects. When those opportunities are available, they will be posted on this page and at VolunteerMatch.org. 

The first step to volunteering with the Library is to submit a volunteer interest form to each of the areas that interest you: (Please note, some of these forms have several parts. Clicking "submit" will advance you to the next section.)

• To apply as a FOG Readers tutor,  please fill out the FOG Tutor Interest Form.
• To apply as a Project Read tutor, please fill out the Project Read Tutor Interest Form.
• To apply as an ESL tutor, please fill out the ESL Tutor Interest Form.
• To apply as a Tech tutor, please fill out the Tech Tutor Interest Form. 

To apply to teach a class, lead an activity, or provide other programming, please see our Exhibitions & Program page for a presenter proposal form or email programming@sfpl.org for more information.

If you would like to volunteer at a neighborhood library, please speak to staff at that location.  

Some important details to keep in mind:

• Volunteers cannot perform tasks assigned to Library staff, such as shelving books or leading story times.
• For ongoing volunteer positions, a minimum commitment of two hours per week for at least six months is requested.
• Volunteers who will serve with vulnerable populations first must pass a background check. (Fingerprints are taken at City Hall at no cost to the volunteer, and a SSN is required).
• There may be a waiting period before an opening is available for a requested role, location, and time. Please check your schedule against location open hours to find a convenient location with compatible hours.
• We cannot accommodate groups for one-time “day of service” events at this time.

Other Community Opportunities

• The San Francisco Education Fund recruits volunteers to assist in the San Francisco Unified Schools. You can volunteer close to home or close to work, with students from kindergarten through 12th grade. They have opportunities in math, literacy, mentoring and mindfulness!  Learn more: www.sfedfund.org/volunteer.
• Mount Tamalpais College is an independent liberal arts college dedicated solely to serving incarcerated people. Volunteer inside San Quentin in a variety of educational roles, included computer and tech help.
• digitalLIFT (formerly Community Tech Network) needs volunteers to teach older adults to navigate the internet, empowering them to access essential resources (telehealth, information, news), connect with friends and family, and explore their interests online. 
   

Other Resources

• Friends of the San Francisco Public Library is seeking long term volunteers. Unfortunately, they cannot accommodate short term volunteering, limited hour requests, or large group/corporate requests for a "day of service" on specific dates.
• VolunteerMatch (recently merged with Idealist) lists a wide array of volunteer opportunities throughout the Bay Area.

• The SF-Marin Foodbank is often in need of volunteers for shifts that can be quickly scheduled on-line.