Volunteer Policy

Volunteer Policy

Volunteers perform an important and much-appreciated service in the Coventry Public Library.  Volunteer work is always a supplement to, not a substitute for, paid staff.  They are of greatest benefit in the Youth Services Department where volunteers may help with children’s programs throughout the year and the Summer Reading Program on a seasonal basis.  Volunteers often work on special projects that may be seasonal or temporary in nature and are always trained and supervised by a library staff member. 

Volunteers are subject to the Town of Coventry’s Volunteer Screening Policy which may include a Police Record Check at the town’s expense.  References may also be required.  Furthermore, the library reserves the right to evaluate, refuse, and/or terminate those volunteers whose performance is not satisfactory. 

The library shall not accept volunteers who need community service hours for probation or other adjudicated purposes. 

Because volunteer opportunities at Coventry Public Library are limited, Coventry residents will receive preference as will those teens that need volunteer work for school, honor societies, community groups, or other similar organizations.  Teen volunteers must have completed 6^th grade.  A Volunteer Hours Form signed by a library staff member will be provided at the completion of the volunteer assignment upon request.

Approved by the Board of Trustees of the Coventry Public Library, January, 2013.