Volunteering at the ACPL
Volunteers are essential to the function of the ACPL. From the opening of the library in 1895, volunteers have played vital roles at the Allen County Public Library. Each year over 1000 individuals give of their time and talents to assist staff in the delivery of quality service to customers at the Main Library and all thirteen branches. The priority of the Volunteer Services department is to ensure a win-win situation for both volunteers and staff that will result in positive, satisfying experiences.
FAQs
A variety of volunteer opportunities are available at the library that may suit your interests and our needs
From weekly commitments, to assisting monthly, to one-time special events, or volunteering as a family unit.
If you are 13 years or older, you may apply to be a volunteer at the ACPL. Individuals under the age of 18 must obtain parental/guardian permission.
You can find our Volunteer Application here.
Volunteer applications will be kept on file and applicants are contacted when volunteer opportunities become available
If your interests and skills match our needs, an interview will be scheduled which will include filling out an application, discussing time commitments, and going over other aspects of volunteering.
Enjoy reading aloud, and empowering others?
The Audio Reading Service broadcasts the live reading of the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, and we broadcast the recorded readings of over 65 other publications such as Fort Wayne Business News, Prevention, People, Consumer Reports, and The New Yorker.
Our target audience is listeners of all ages who have visual, physical, learning, or language challenges to reading traditional printed materials.
Available Opportunities:
-
What’s going on in Decatur? Or Auburn? Or Columbia City? Find out – along with our listeners, by reading Area News. We have an every-other Thursday, 8:00 am – 9:30 am opportunity available to read our area community newspapers from hard copy and from the tablet.
If your skills and passions match our needs, we'd love to have you join our audio reading team of ACPL volunteers! An interview and audition is required. Please contact the Audio Reading Service at (260) 421-1375, or audioreader@acpl.info with any questions.
Volunteer Opportunities at the Allen County Public Library
Volunteering at the Allen County Public Library is more than just giving your time – as a volunteer, you play a vital role in supporting literacy, learning, and connection by helping patrons of all ages discover the joy of books, explore cutting-edge technology, and access essential resources. Join us and be a part of the library’s mission to inspire lifelong learning and strengthen Allen County for generations to come.
Available Opportunities:
-
Join us in keeping our library organized and accessible for everyone! Are you detail-oriented and love spending time in a library? We’re looking for volunteers to help with shelf reading at the Georgetown Branch! Shelf reading ensures our books and materials are correctly organized and easy for everyone to find. It also helps maintain a tidy and welcoming library space. No prior experience is needed—just a love for books and attention to detail! If you’re interested, please fill out a volunteer application and specify Shelf Reading at Georgetown.
Enjoy reading aloud, and empowering others?
The Audio Reading Service broadcasts the live reading of the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, and we broadcast the recorded readings of over 65 other publications such as Fort Wayne Business News, Prevention, People, Consumer Reports, and The New Yorker.
Our target audience is listeners of all ages who have visual, physical, learning, or language challenges to reading traditional printed materials.
Available Opportunities:
-
Lea “El Mexicano y Más”. Con el lema “el respeto al derecho ajeno es la paz”, en su periódico y sitio web, El Mexicano cubre noticias locales, nacionales y mundiales, e información para nuestra comunidad hispanohablante. El contenido es leído en papel y en tableta. Requisitos adicionales: Un compromiso semanal de una hora, Lunes - Viernes. Nosotros nos ajustaremos a su horario; leer y hablar tanto español como inglés fluidamente.
Read El Mexicano y Más. With its newspaper and web presence motto of “The Respect of the Rights of Others is Peace,” El Mexicano covers local, national and world news and information for our Spanish speaking community. Content is read from hardcopy and tablet. Additional requirements: A weekly, one-hour commitment - we will work with your schedule; fluent in reading and speaking both Spanish and English.
-
Able Living focuses on the needs of people with different abilities. Read a wealth of information on health, work-life, sports, the arts, individual accomplishments and much more -- all focused on other-abled, human potential. Materials are read from a touchscreen tablet. A weekly, 1 ½ hour commitment - we will work with your schedule.
-
Healthy Life provides useful, down-to-earth information on healthy living with sources such as Women's Health, Men's Health, and Personal Best Headlines magazines. Some materials are read from a touchscreen tablet. A weekly, 1 ½ hour commitment - we will work with your schedule.
-
If you know cooking and baking inside and out, our Cook’s Corner program needs you! If you have extensive personal experience in the kitchen, as well as related appliances and utensils, we invite you to read easy-to-follow recipes, tips, and cooking-related articles for our listeners. Additional requirements: We will provide sources, but you will need to take additional time to select and prepare appropriate material for each recording, ahead of time. This program is read from hardcopy. A weekly, 1 ½ - 2 hour commitment - we will work with your schedule.
-
Read the Journal Gazette live. Current, up-to-date local news is our focus, and most important to our listeners! In this position you’ll read weekly with a volunteer partner. Our current opening is Friday mornings, 8:00 am - 11:00 am
If your skills and passions match our needs, we'd love to have you join our audio reading team of ACPL volunteers! An interview and audition are required. Please contact the Audio Reading Service at (260) 421-1375, or audioreader@acpl.info with any questions.