Volunteer opportunities

Volunteer at the Library

Interested in volunteering at Cuyahoga County Public Library? Please take a moment to complete our volunteer application.

Apply online

Questions? Email us at [email protected] or call our Volunteer Coordinator at 216.749.9400.

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Mobile Food Pantry

We collaborate with Greater Cleveland Food Bank to provide much-needed food assistance to households in need. We are seeking volunteers to help sort, package and distribute produce and/or shelf-stable items at CCPL branches.

Volunteer requirements:

1-2-3 READ

Volunteer to help struggling readers practice their reading skills and take part in literacy-based games and activities.

  • Through our 1-2-3 READ program, we partner with local school districts to identify at-risk students in grades 1 – 3 and help them get back on track. Students enrolled in the program visit their local library branch two times per week after school. There, they practice their reading skills with in-person volunteers and take part in literacy-based games and activities.

  • We are currently in need of volunteers at these locations:

    Bedford Branch
    Mondays & Wednesdays

    Garfield Heights Branch
    Tuesdays & Thursdays

    Maple Heights Branch
    Tuesdays & Thursdays

    North Olmsted Branch
    Tuesdays & Thursdays

    Parma-Powers Branch
    Mondays & Wednesdays

    South Euclid-Lyndhurst Branch
    Tuesdays & Thursdays

    Warrensville Heights Branch
    Tuesdays & Thursdays

  • 1-2-3 READ volunteer requirements:

    • Complete our volunteer application.
    • Complete a background check.
    • Attend a volunteer training session.
    • Be at least 13 years old

Student Success Centers

Our after-school Student Success Centers program has impacted the lives of thousands of at-risk students in grades K – 8. Volunteers help students improve their grades and subject comprehension. The program also seeks to improve students' attitudes toward school and increase their self-esteem.

  • Students who participate in the Student Success Centers program receive assistance from trained volunteers in the following school subjects, Monday through Thursday during the school year:

    • Language arts
    • Math
    • Reading
    • Science
    • Social studies

    Students also take part in educational games and activities designed to foster a lifelong love for learning.

  • Volunteers are needed at the following Student Success Centers locations Monday through Thursday at the following times:

  • If your volunteer application is accepted, Cuyahoga County Public Library will provide you with the necessary training to become a Student Success Centers program tutor.

    Volunteer requirements:

    • Complete our volunteer application.
    • Complete a background check.
    • Attend a volunteer training session.
    • Be at least 14 years old.

STEAM Programs

Help students ages 11 to 18 explore 21st-century skills. Open yourself to a new experience working in the areas of science, technology, engineering, art and math (aka STEAM). Cuyahoga County Public Library is excited to recruit volunteers with a desire to engage with students and help generate their curiosity in STEAM programs.

Volunteer requirements:

  • Complete our volunteer application.
  • Complete a background check.
  • Attend a volunteer training session.
  • Be at least 18 years old.

Friends of the Library

Like many libraries, CCPL benefits from the support and advocacy of its Friend of the Library groups. Our Friends members volunteer their time and energy to raise funds in support of Library programming, exhibitions, special events and activities.

  • Friends members hold used book sales to raise funds in support of library programs and financial assistance for other needs, such as new furniture for public and staff use.

    Many Friends groups publish newsletters of their activities and act as our cheerleaders, spreading the word to friends and neighbors about the great services CCPL has to offer.

  • CCPL has 25 Friends groups that support our branches. For information about joining a Friends of the Library group, please contact your local branch.

  • Donations of used books, DVDs and CDs help our Friends of the Library groups fund programs for their communities and special items for their libraries.

    Please take a moment to read these guidelines before you make a donation.

    Tax credit

    You can obtain a tax credit form by asking staff for one when you make your donation. The form only denotes the number of items donated, not their value.

    Items not accepted for donation

    We accept most items for sale in our Friends of the Library book sales, but there are some items we simply can't accept. It has been our experience that these items do not sell:

    • Books that are dirty, mildewed, torn, or have pages missing
    • Textbooks more than 2-5 years old
    • Mail order catalogs
    • Encyclopedias more than 5-8 years old, or partial encyclopedia sets
    • Medical/health books more than 5-8 years old
    • All condensed books, including Reader's Digest
    • Most magazines, except possibly:
      • Craft magazines
      • Gardening magazines
      • Hobby magazines
      • News magazines newer than 3 months
      • Professional journals less than 1 year old

    These guidelines may vary by Cuyahoga County Public Library branch. We highly recommend contacting your local branch before you make a donation to verify what will and will not be accepted.

    Leftover book sale items are offered to area nonprofit agencies. Any remaining items are recycled. The only items we throw away are those which are not suitable for sale or recycling or those which pose a health hazard.

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