How Do I Volunteer at My Library?

The Library Volunteer program is coordinated by a “super volunteer” who will oversee the program in collaboration with the county Library Director.  Peggy Toifel has served the library and other community organizations in various volunteer capacities for many years.  She is a retired librarian and has worked in public and academic libraries and therefore has valuable credentials for her volunteer coordinator responsibilities. For more information contact the Volunteer Coordinator at 850-623-2043 or email libraryvolunteer.

Application, Interview, Orientation, Background Check

• Applications may be requested at library service desks in Gulf Breeze, Pace, Milton, and Navarre.
• Applications will be reviewed and potential volunteers will be contacted and interviewed to ensure a match between their skills, interests, and schedules, and various library positions and job descriptions. 
• All volunteer applicants who have been interviewed and selected will be required to attend a volunteer orientation session to learn more about the details of becoming a volunteer. 
• Following orientation, if the applicant decides to continue with becoming a volunteer, the Santa Rosa County Board of County Commissioners Risk Management Office will conduct a background check, required for any volunteer serving in any capacity in any Santa Rosa County department in any capacity with an environment that could bring them into contact with children, including sports, 4-H, and libraries.  The background check cost is $32.45 to be paid by the volunteer. When you have served for 80 volunteer hours, the cost of your background check will be refunded to you if you so request.

Assignment, Schedule, and Training

• When the background check has been finalized, the volunteer will be contacted by the coordinator for a specific assignment.
• Schedules based on library needs will be coordinated with each volunteer.
• Each volunteer will receive specific training at his/her assigned library on how to do the job assigned.

Job Descriptions - Volunteer job descriptions have been carefully developed to reflect the qualifications and responsibilities for each type of job available for a volunteer.  Each job description identifies the tasks associated with that job, the location, schedules, and the supervisor who is responsible for supervising that particular job. 

Brief Job Descriptions are listed below – Details of job descriptions are included with Library Volunteer Service Application, available upon request at libraries in Gulf Breeze, Milton, Navarre and Pace.

Position Title:  Library Support Volunteer - Gulf Breeze, Milton, Navarre, Pace 
Provides general library support such as greeting visitors, assisting with order and neatness in the library, brochure racks, and other similar duties.

Position Title: Library Grounds and Outside Maintenance Volunteer – Gulf Breeze, Milton, Navarre, Pace 
Assists with maintaining outside areas around the library and monitor grounds for problems such as sprinklers not working properly.

Position Title:  Library Youth Program Volunteer - Gulf Breeze, Milton, Navarre, Pace 
Assists with support for youth coordinator for activities and programs such as assisting during program hours and maintaining order and neatness in youth collection areas.

Position Title:  Library Afternoon Monitor Volunteer - Gulf Breeze, Milton, Navarre, Pace
Assists library staff with monitoring halls, restrooms, library areas, and grounds during busy times after school.

Position Title: Library Genealogy Assistant Volunteer – Milton Library Only
Assists library staff with preparing genealogy materials such as clipping and shelving and assists genealogy researchers in use of genealogy materials. 

Position Title: Library Administration Volunteer – Library Administration Center, Milton
Performs duties as requested for administration and processing services including photocopying, unpacking and labeling materials, and other similar tasks.

Position Title: Library Foundation Assistant Volunteer – Library Administration Center, Milton
Provides clerical support for the Santa Rosa County Library System Foundation.

How to Become a High School Student Volunteer
High school students working toward scholarship volunteer requirements who would like to work volunteer hours at the library may request the application packet at the library service desks in all libraries.

Position Title: High School Student Volunteer
Must be at least 16 years old and participating in High School Scholarship Program
Assists with maintaining order, appearance, and cleanliness, stocking supplies, removing recycle items to bins, and other similar duties.