Volunteer at the Library | Rochester Public Library MN

We value the skills and passions of volunteers who serve throughout the library.

Volunteers assist, enhance, and support the work of Rochester Public Library. Qualification requirements range from high school students with little job experience to people with professional degrees and many years of experience. All positions require good organizational and communication skills. For more information or if you have questions, contact Volunteer@rplmn.org

Volunteer Opportunities

Work with People & Materials

Friends Bookstore Clerk

Assist customers of the Friends of the Library Bookstore by helping them find materials they wish to purchase, operate a cash register, arrange sales materials and maintain an inviting and pleasing store environment.

Friends Book Sales

Assist customers of the Friends Book Sales by helping them find materials and bring their purchases to the cash register, as well as arranging sales materials.

Work with People

Literacy Tutor

Work one-on-one with students to strengthen their literacy skills. Visit Rochester Reading Champions for more information on becoming a tutor.

Work with Materials

Adopt-a-Shelf (Shelf Reading)

Adopt a selected or assigned section of shelving and keep collection items clean and in correct order.

Friends Book Sales Set Up & Tear Down

Assist Friends in running the Friends Book Sales by helping with set up and tear down.

Work with Library Foundation

If you are interested in volunteering with the Rochester Public Library Foundation, please contact them directly at RPLFound@rplmn.org

Fundraising Auction for Library

Secure, pick up, write description, photograph, and/or list items on our online auction platform. Staffing bidder pick up (the 1^st Friday-Saturday in December) 2 hour shifts.

Fundraising and Public Events

Plan, decorate, set up, tear down, marketing, provide info, and staff events - there are a whole host of ways to get involved in helping us with events.

Committee or Board

Finance, Nominating, Community Relations, Development, Leadership. Attend meetings and participate in reviewing, planning, & advising.

Applying to Volunteer

To be considered for volunteer opportunities at Rochester Public Library, please complete the online volunteer application. Your submission of this application is your consent that you fully understand the RPL volunteer policy and for RPL and its agents to conduct all necessary checks needed to meet the requirements for this volunteer position and your agreement to supply all required information. Final offers of volunteer service will be conditional pending results of a criminal conviction/background check as applicable to the volunteer position. Your failure to provide information will disqualify you as an applicant for this volunteer position.

By submitting an application you understand it is in your best interest to thoroughly list all training and experience. You consent that all statements made on this application are true, complete and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief. You understand these statements are subject to verification. Any misrepresentation or falsification of information or material omissions may result in rejection of your current applications submitted or subsequent dismissal from volunteer service if discovered at a later date. Falsification or omission may also result in my not being considered for future volunteer service opportunities.

Volunteer Privacy Notice: Your Rights as a Subject of Data

In accordance with the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, Rochester Public Library (RPL) must inform you, the volunteer applicant, of the private data we collect, its uses and disposition (sometimes referred to as the “Tennessen warning”).

All information in the volunteer application, except your name, position, title and job history, is considered private.
The private information is only available to you and to authorized library personnel who must see it in the normal course of conducting library business, as discussed below, and as otherwise provided for by current or future law.
The data you give us about yourself is needed to identify you and assist in determining your suitability for the volunteer position(s) for which you are applying.
You are not required by law to provide this information; however, if you are unable or unwilling, RPL will not be able to contact you or place you appropriately for volunteer activities and you may not receive important documents.
If you do provide the data and you are subsequently selected as a volunteer, the data you have given us will become part of your volunteer record and will be used to conduct other necessary library business.

Rochester Public Library has been certified by Points of Light as a Service Enterprise. A Service Enterprise is an organization that fundamentally leverages volunteers and their skills throughout their organization to successfully deliver on its social mission.

Becoming a Service Enterprise has helped the library build a strong framework for working with volunteers and provides a process to implement a strategic plan that better engages volunteers at all levels.