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2033. Volunteer Policy

The Whitefish Community Library (WCL) encourages volunteers to supplement the efforts of paid Library staff to provide quality library services. Volunteers are connections to our community and advocates for quality library services. WCL also hopes that this program will create opportunities for the volunteers to feel personal satisfaction while performing a valuable service to their community.

-A volunteer is a person who contributes time, energy and talent directly to the Library and is not paid by the Library.

-Volunteers are recognized by the public as representatives of the Whitefish Community Library and are guided by the same work and behavior codes as employees.

-Volunteers may be the first impression a patron has of the Library. It is important that volunteers’ dress and appearance are appropriate for a library environment and in keeping with their work assignment.

-Nothing in this policy creates a contract between the volunteer and the Whitefish Community Library. Both the volunteer and WCL can terminate their association at any time, without cause being stated.

- Prior to volunteering, applicants must be at least 14 years of age and complete an application for volunteer work. The Whitefish Community Library has the absolute right to decline anyone as a volunteer without cause or statement of reason.

-All work performed by volunteers is to be supervised by Library staff. Library staff will provide sufficient training to prepare the volunteer to successfully perform their duties.

-The schedule of volunteer work at the Library is dependent upon the availability of staff to supervise. Volunteers will log time spent working on the Volunteer Log for statistical purposes.

-Volunteers must follow all Library policies and procedures, especially those relating to confidentiality of Library records. All transactions are strictly confidential. This includes any information about materials looked at, asked for, or checked out, as well as any patron reference questions. Failure to maintain confidentiality will result in immediate termination of the volunteer.

-Volunteers are requested to contact staff at the Library as soon as possible should they not be able to perform their duties.

-Should the volunteer have a grievance with a staff person, another volunteer or patron, every attempt to resolve the situation will be made through the Library Director.

Approved by the Whitefish Community Board of Trustees on April 9, 2025 Jessica Tubbs, Chair