Make  a  Difference  in  Your  Community

     Thank you for your interest in volunteering! For over 50 years, volunteers have been the heart and soul of our organization. Each year hundreds of volunteers donate their time to support Friends. Every volunteer makes a measurable impact in the funds that Friends raises for the Library's life-enriching programs and services.
     Friends offers many rewarding volunteer opportunities for individuals, and high school, college, corporate, or community groups of any size.
     If you have any questions or comments please contact Brenda Salguero, Manager of Volunteer Services, 415-477-5223 or brenda.salguero@friendssfpl.org.

Volunteer Application

BENEFITS OF VOLUNTEERING

• Complimentary Friends membership when you volunteer 50 hours with Friends each year
• Invitation to the Annual Holiday Party
• Free books!
• And last but not least: the opportunity to strengthen your community and support the San Francisco Public Library

​VOLUNTEER  OPPORTUNITIES

THE ANNUAL BIG BOOK SALE
We need hundreds of volunteers in the fall to help make the largest used book sale on the west coast a huge success! Volunteers will help set up, pack up, monitor and stock tables, sign-in and welcome other volunteers, help at our information table, cashier, and other tasks. Each volunteer receives $5 in FREE books for volunteering.

Shifts: You can sign up for the Big Book Sale in 2018 by clicking HERE
Location: Festival Pavilion, Fort Mason Center. 


​$1 STEPS SALES AT THE MAIN LIBRARY
Every Wednesday Friends hosts weekly book sales on the steps of the Main Library! Help us set up tables, stock and monitor tables, sell books, pack up unsold books, take down tables, and help load our truck. Each volunteer receives 5 FREE books for volunteering. Sales are canceled in the event of rain. This is a great volunteer activity for groups!

Shifts: Wednesdays, 10:15 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. or 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Main Library, 100 Larkin Street (outside)


$1 BOOK SALES AT THE DONATION CENTER
Every second Saturday, Friends hosts a book sale inside the Donation Center! Similar to the $1 Steps Sales at the Main, volunteers help stock and monitor tables, sell books and take down tables at the end of the day. Each volunteer receives 5 FREE books for volunteering.
This is a great opportunity for teens!
Shifts: Second Saturdays, 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. or 12:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Location: 1630 17th Street


BOOK DONATION CENTER
Help us sort and inventory all of our donated items so that we can sell them in our Readers Bookstores, Steps Book Sales, monthly $1 Book Sales and the Big Book Sale!

Shifts: 3+ hour shift anytime weekdays 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. or Saturdays 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. 
Location: 1630 17th Street


READERS BOOKSTORES  
Help us run our Readers Bookstores! We have two locations: one inside the Main Library and one in Fort Mason Center. Duties include operation of a cash register, charge & debit card machines, stocking books, receiving and directing phone calls, and greeting and engaging the public. Retails or customer service experience preferred but not required. Must be 18 years of age or over. This is an on-going volunteer activity. Due to the training and level of responsibility involved, Friends asks volunteers to make a six-month commitment.

Shifts:  During open bookstore hours
Location: Building C, Fort Mason Center (2 Marina Boulevard) and Main Library, 30 Grove Street.


BRANCH LIBRARY BOOK PICK-UPS
We need volunteers to help us pick up donated books at neighborhood branch libraries and take them to our Book Donation Center. Must be able to pick up a 30 lb. box of books. Must have a valid driver’s license and must use your own vehicle. 


​SPECIAL EVENTS
Get a sneak peek at some of our fabulous literary events, such as the Library Laureates Gala, IMBIBE cocktail parties, the San Francisco International Poetry Festival, One City One Book, SFPL Recognition Awards, Tricycle Music Festival, author events and more! (Calendar of events here.)



Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Friends! Check out the impact volunteers had in our organization last year, and help us make this year even better!

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