Policy: Volunteer
Plainville Public Library Volunteer Policy
The Plainville Public Library Volunteer Program is designed to expand and enhance public service to the community. Volunteers contribute to the library in so many ways. Our volunteers make it possible for the staff to offer the level of services that the community needs. Volunteers bring a treasured variety of experience and character to help make the library the special place it is. We, at the Plainville Library, believe our volunteers are valuable and wonderful people and we will do our best to make sure their experiences here are meaningful, engaging, and enjoyable.
Purpose of Volunteer Policies
The purpose of these policies is to provide overall guidance and direction to the staff and to volunteers. The policies are intended for internal management guidance only and do not constitute, either implicitly or explicitly, a binding contractual or personnel agreement. The library reserves the exclusive right to change any of these policies at any time.
Selection and Retention of Volunteers
The library accepts the service of volunteers with the understanding that such service is at the sole discretion of the library. Prior to acceptance as a volunteer, all applicants must fill out an application form and meet with the library director. Volunteers are selected based upon their qualifications in relation to the needs of the library at any given time, and the volunteer’s ability to commit to a consistent schedule. A typical volunteer shift is one to two hours, but may be shorter or longer depending upon the position.
In order to promote security for library patrons, prior to beginning as a volunteer, all applicants over the age of 18, except for those in the Senior Property Tax program, are required to undergo a Criminal Offender Records Information (CORI) check as a final step in the volunteer screening process. In order to complete this process, applicants must complete a Town of Plainville CORI Request Form to authorize the Town to run a CORI check.
If there are no suitable volunteer opportunities available, individual application forms will be kept on file for one year. Applicants will be called if there is a project that matches their interests and qualifications. Volunteers agree that the library may, at any time, and for whatever reason, decide to terminate the volunteer’s relationship with the library. The volunteer may, at any time, for whatever reason, decide to terminate the volunteer’s relationship with the library. Notice of a decision by a volunteer to terminate their service should be communicated as soon as possible to the volunteer’s supervisor.
Training
After initial screening, volunteers will receive specific on-the-job training to provide the information and skills necessary for successful performance of their volunteer assignment. The timing and methods for delivery of such training will be appropriate to the complexity and demands of the assignment. During the training period the staff member responsible for the training will assess the volunteer’s performance. Evaluation may include, but not be limited to: observation, spot-checking of assignments, recap of rules and procedures, and review of attendance record.
Roles
Volunteers cannot be used in place of paid employees at the circulation desk, as they have no access to the SAILS Library Network circulation system, per SAILS Library Network policy. Volunteers generally provide support services to paid staff or work on special projects or programs. Volunteers are expected to act in accordance with library policies and to reflect positive customer service attitudes to all library patrons. Volunteers are asked to keep an accurate record of the hours they work each week, for the use of the Director.
Community Service
Persons who seek volunteer assignments at the Plainville Public Library to meet a requirement set by an outside agency for the performance of community service shall be subject to the above selection process and all other provisions of this policy.
REV. 03/2026
Purpose of Volunteer Policies
The purpose of these policies is to provide overall guidance and direction to the staff and to volunteers. The policies are intended for internal management guidance only and do not constitute, either implicitly or explicitly, a binding contractual or personnel agreement. The library reserves the exclusive right to change any of these policies at any time.
Selection and Retention of Volunteers
The library accepts the service of volunteers with the understanding that such service is at the sole discretion of the library. Prior to acceptance as a volunteer, all applicants must fill out an application form and meet with the library director. Volunteers are selected based upon their qualifications in relation to the needs of the library at any given time, and the volunteer’s ability to commit to a consistent schedule. A typical volunteer shift is one to two hours, but may be shorter or longer depending upon the position.
In order to promote security for library patrons, prior to beginning as a volunteer, all applicants over the age of 18, except for those in the Senior Property Tax program, are required to undergo a Criminal Offender Records Information (CORI) check as a final step in the volunteer screening process. In order to complete this process, applicants must complete a Town of Plainville CORI Request Form to authorize the Town to run a CORI check.
If there are no suitable volunteer opportunities available, individual application forms will be kept on file for one year. Applicants will be called if there is a project that matches their interests and qualifications. Volunteers agree that the library may, at any time, and for whatever reason, decide to terminate the volunteer’s relationship with the library. The volunteer may, at any time, for whatever reason, decide to terminate the volunteer’s relationship with the library. Notice of a decision by a volunteer to terminate their service should be communicated as soon as possible to the volunteer’s supervisor.
Training
After initial screening, volunteers will receive specific on-the-job training to provide the information and skills necessary for successful performance of their volunteer assignment. The timing and methods for delivery of such training will be appropriate to the complexity and demands of the assignment. During the training period the staff member responsible for the training will assess the volunteer’s performance. Evaluation may include, but not be limited to: observation, spot-checking of assignments, recap of rules and procedures, and review of attendance record.
Roles
Volunteers cannot be used in place of paid employees at the circulation desk, as they have no access to the SAILS Library Network circulation system, per SAILS Library Network policy. Volunteers generally provide support services to paid staff or work on special projects or programs. Volunteers are expected to act in accordance with library policies and to reflect positive customer service attitudes to all library patrons. Volunteers are asked to keep an accurate record of the hours they work each week, for the use of the Director.
Community Service
Persons who seek volunteer assignments at the Plainville Public Library to meet a requirement set by an outside agency for the performance of community service shall be subject to the above selection process and all other provisions of this policy.
REV. 03/2026