• Adult volunteer opportunities
• Youth volunteer opportunities

If you would like more information about volunteering, please contact Pat McCarthy, Coordinator of Volunteers, at (412)366-8100 x104 or mccarthyp@einetwork.net.

If you would like to apply for a volunteer position, please print a volunteer application and return it to:
Northland Public Library
Attn: Pat McCarthy
300 Cumberland Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15237
Fax: (412)366-2064

Adult Volunteer Opportunities

• Bethel Park Library and Northland Public Library are co-sponsoring a Volunteer Speed Match on Friday evening, August 22, 2008, 5:00pm-7:00pm. The event will be held at Bethel Park Library, 5100 W Library Avenue, (412) 835-2207.
• Gala Committee Members
  If you love to plan parties, etc, this is the right spot for you. Northland Library Foundation is planning a 40th Anniversary Gala in October, 2008. Help is needed for the following committees: Sponsorship/Ads; Speaker/Entertainment; Theme (food and décor); Mailings/database; Donation of items (tea cup raffle); Northland Library History/Special Guests; Public Relations & Marketing; Video Production; and Host Committee. There won’t be a lot of time wasted in meetings, just brainstorming and putting ideas into action.
• 40th Anniversary Boomer Blast
  We need your help! Help celebrate the year and times of “1968”. We are looking for volunteers who are willing to help plan a party with costumes, music, fun and food. Baby boomers will celebrate the 40th anniversary of Northland Library in a fun way on Friday evening, August 22, 2008 at Northland Library. If you enjoy planning parties or events, this is the place for you.
• Baby Boomers - We Need You!
  If you are a baby boomer (born between years 1946 thru 1964) and enjoy lively conversation with other people, we have the perfect volunteer opportunity.
  • Boomer Book Discussion Leader
    Responsible for coordinating and conducting a monthly book discussion with a focus on books relating to the baby boomer generation. A person who has a wide reading interest and enjoys reading is preferable. Time commitment – 3-4 hours monthly for an evening book discussion.
  • Boomer Conversation Salon Leader
    Responsible for bringing together a group of baby boomers to discuss a variety of topics pertaining to the issues facing baby boomers. A person who is outgoing, communicative and a good listener is desirable. Time commitment – 3-4 hours monthly for an evening boomer conversation salon.
• Book Toter
  If you want to bring some reading enjoyment to an elderly person, this is the job for you. Responsibilities include: selecting materials for the residents of a nursing home center, check items out at the library and transport directly to the residents on a three-week cycle. At the end of three weeks, a new supply of materials are taken to the residents and older items returned.
• Tape Cassette Recording Assistant
  If you have a clear and pleasant speaking voice with good pronunciation of words and like to help the visually impaired, this is an opportunity to give something back to your community. Responsibilities include a varied time commitment and flexibility in scheduling. This assignment involves recording printed materials on tape cassettes for the visually impaired.
• Board Meeting Transcriber
  If you have excellent listening skills and are familiar with Microsoft Word, this is a perfect opportunity for you. Responsibilities include: recording minutes and transcribing information at the monthly Northland Library Foundation board meetings. The board meeting is held on the 2nd Wednesday of each month from 7:00-9:00pm at Northland Library. Accuracy and attention to detail is important in this volunteer assignment.
• Mini-Library Public Speaker
  Important of Position: Bring the mission and vision of Northland Public Library to residents of Nursing Homes, Assisted Living Centers and Retirement Communities within the North Hills area to acquaint residents and staff with the value of the mini-library collections. Qualifications: Commitment to Northland Public Library’s vision and mission; Successful public speaking experience and willingness to speak and communicate with the aging population. Duties: Become acquainted with the Mini-Library Collection program and visit each participating facility on a monthly basis to present a refresher, upbeat talk on the program, answer questions, etc. Review status of each collection and solve problems if needed.
• Catalog Records Preparation Assistant
  Help Technical Services Department staff to presort and separate items requiring different handling by the catalogers depending whether the items are new or additional copies with the county-wide system. Computer and problem-solving aptitude and attention to details are needed. Training will be provided on catalog searching. Time commitment is 2-3 hours on a weekly basis. Availability on Wednesdays, Fridays or Saturdays.
• Public Relations Assistant
  Develop and implement a public relations campaign to increase public awareness and promote Northland Library's participation in the United Way Donor Option program. If you are creative and project oriented, this is a wonderful opportunity to help Northland Library expand outreach services to the elderly in our community. Time commitment: Campaign promotion begins the end of August for approximately 6-8 months. Goal: To educate the general public and library patrons of the elderly outreach services provided by the library and encourage support of the United Way Donor Option program.
• Resource Directory Assistant
  Update various resource directories through mail and phone contact. This is an ideal assignments for individuals who enjoy research and have good organizational skills. Computer skills and attention to detail are necessary. Hours are flexible.
• Oral History Transcriber
  If you enjoy working with computers and have excellent typing skills, this is the job for you. Perform data entry of Oral History interviews through an accurate verbatim transcript of the interview. These transcripts should reflect the conversational quality of spoken language and each speaker's individuality. Volunteers must be skilled in Microsoft Word. Accuracy is very important. Time requirement is 2-3 hours weekly until completion of project.
• Technical Assistant
  If you have an appreciation of books and their value, this is a way you can help Northland Library extend the shelf life of our materials. You will receive training on how to properly cover a book with a book jacket. It is similar to wrapping a package with attention to detail. Time commitment is 2-4 hours on a weekly basis. Availability Tuesday or Thursday afternoons and Saturdays (morning or afternoon).
• Shelf Reader
  You can help keep the library's collection neat and orderly by becoming a Shelf Reader. You are assigned to a specific section of the library materials. Responsibilities include looking at every item to make sure the materials are in the correct order. A regular commitment of 1-2 hours weekly is required. Training will be provided.
• Used Bookstore Clerk
  Volunteers are needed to staff the store; count monies in cash register at beginning and end of shift; operate cash register for sales and receipts; greet and assist customers; straighten store during each shift. A two-hour or more weekly schedule is required. (Daytime, evening and weekend shifts will be available).
• Data Entry Helper
  Perform various data entry computer assignments. Experience in Microsoft Word, Access and Excel is preferred. Accuracy and attention to detail is a requirments for this position. Hours are flexible.
• Read to the Blind
  Spend a couple of hours each week reading stories to residents in local nursing homes who are visually impaired. A person is needed who truly enjoys reading and has a pleasant speaking voice. Spend some time helping another person experience the joys of hearing a story.
• Periodical Assistant
  Organize and shelf magazines and newspapers by title and date of publication. If you like organization, this is the perfect assignment. The shifts are by specific days on an ongoing basis.
• Adopt-A-Row
  This is a way to show pride in Northland. Help us keep the collection neat and in the correct location. Duties include: check materials to assure each is in the proper location and in correct alphabetical/Dewey Decimal order. Move materials to the front of shelves and shift books as necessary. Clean shelves as necessary. Training is provided. Hours are flexible.

Youth Volunteer Opportunities

• Tape Cassette Recording Assistant
  If you have a clear and pleasant speaking voice with good pronunciation of words and like to help the visually impaired, this is an opportunity to give something back to your community. Responsibilities include a varied time commitment and flexibility in scheduling. This assignment involves recording printed materials on tape cassettes for the visually impaired.
• Adopt-A-Row
  This is a way to show pride in Northland. Help us keep the collection neat and in the correct location. Duties include: check materials to assure each is in the proper location and in correct alphabetical/Dewey Decimal order. Move materials to the front of shelves and shift books as necessary. Clean shelves as necessary. Training is provided. There is flexibility in scheduling.
• Grounds Maintenance
  Rake leaves, pull weeds, etc. If you are an outdoors person, we can use your help.
• Family Volunteering
  If you are under 14 years of age, you can still help the library! You and family members can volunteer together for many different projects, including our used book sale, special events, grounds clean-up, and adopt-a-shelf.
• Technical Services Assistant, Shelf Reader, Used Bookstore Clerk, Data Entry Helper and Periodical Assistant
  Please see descriptions listed under Adult Opportunities for more information.