Ontario City Library: Volunteers
Volunteers Make a Difference!
Thank you for your interest in making a positive contribution to the City of Ontario. Volunteers are an invaluable community resource that provide a broad source on expertise, talent and manpower for City programs and other services. Every minute volunteered allows the City to better serve our residents. We could not do what we do without the hundreds of dedicated volunteers already serving the City of Ontario.
Adult Literacy Tutor
Rise, the Ontario City Library’s literacy services, serves many audiences. For adults, it provides one-to-one literacy instruction to adult learners who face reading and writing challenges. Volunteers help adult learners strengthen literacy skills that are necessary for living and working in our community. Volunteer tutors can expect 2 – 3 hours of volunteering per week for at least 6 months. In one-to-one sessions, volunteers provide encouragement, compassion and a supportive learning environment for their learner. The ideal volunteer must be compassionate, self-motivated, patient and ready to serve others. They must also be able to maintain confidentiality, respect personal boundaries, and have strong reading and writing skills in English.
Availability:
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Must be available at least one day per week to work in-person or virtually with students. Two – three hours per week is the weekly commitment.
Shifts may be scheduled anytime during Ovitt Family Community Library and Lewis Family Branch open hours.
Responsibilities and what we are looking for:
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Work one-to-one or in small groups with students.
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Provide instruction on reading and writing at varying levels.
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Create engaging and effective lesson plans.
Friends of Ontario City Library Bookstore Volunteer
A Bookstore Volunteer plays an essential role in helping maintain the Friends of Ontario City Library's bookstores, which support the library’s programs and services. Volunteers are responsible for reviewing and sorting donated books, pricing them, and organizing them by category or genre. A key part of the role is keeping the shelves stocked and orderly, creating an inviting space for customers. There are opportunities to assist in larger book sale events, as well as providing customer service at the bookstore during high traffic hours. Attention to detail while reviewing and sorting books efficiently is essential for success. Scheduling is flexible, and volunteers are accepted at the Ovitt Family Community Library and the Lewis Family Branch.
For additional information regarding the Friends of Ontario City Library, please visit https://friendsofontariocitylibrary.org/.
Availability:
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Must be available at least one day per week. Two to four hours per week is the typical weekly commitment.
Shifts may be scheduled anytime during Ovitt Family Community Library and Lewis Family Branch open hours.
Responsibilities and what we are looking for:
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Sort books by genres, alphabetically, or numerically
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Create displays and flyers
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Ability to assist with outreach events and special book sales
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Have organization skills
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Be Self-motivated
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Ability to work independently or in a team
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Able to lift 40 pounds
This is a volunteer position with the City of Ontario. The City provides no compensation for the services performed by volunteers. Volunteers are not entitled to any benefits from the City, including but not limited to Workers' Compensation benefits. The City of Ontario Library is unable to assist individuals seeking placement for mandatory community service.
Volunteers may volunteer at both Ontario City Library locations Monday through Saturday. The locations and operating hours for each location are listed below.
The Ovitt Family Community Library
215 East C Street
Monday – Thursday: 10am – 9pm
Friday – Saturday: 10am – 6pm
Sunday: 1pm – 4pm
The Lewis Family Branch Library
3850 East Riverside Drive
Monday – Thursday: 4pm – 8pm
Saturday: 10am – 6pm
Friday & Sunday: CLOSED
The essential functions typically performed by an Adult Literacy Tutor Volunteer include the following:
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Complete training on a curriculum to work on with adult learners
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Hold one-to-one tutoring sessions with adult learners as scheduled
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Help strengthen adult learners’ literacy skills
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Use library equipment safely, including carts, scanners, and computers
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Follow library policies, procedures, and confidentiality guidelines
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Communicate effectively with staff, patrons, and other volunteers
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Arrive on time, complete assigned shifts, and notify staff in advance if unable to attend
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Maintain a positive, respectful, and helpful attitude at all times
The essential functions typically performed by a Bookstore Volunteer include the following:
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Review and sort donated books
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Create signage and displays regularly in the bookstore
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Help promote special sales
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Create social media footage
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Ensure the bookstore remains welcoming, organized, and customer-friendly
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Use library equipment safely, including carts, scanners, and computers
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Follow library policies, procedures, and confidentiality guidelines
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Communicate effectively with staff, patrons, and other volunteers
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Arrive on time, complete assigned shifts, and notify staff in advance if unable to attend
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Maintain a positive, respectful, and helpful attitude at all times
Must be 18 years or older. Basic computer and Internet skills required. Training will be provided.
Adult Literacy Volunteers: Must be willing to volunteer at least once per week, a minimum six (6)-month commitment is requested.
Bookstore Volunteers: Must be willing to volunteer once per week, a minimum six (6)-month commitment is requested.
Guidelines:
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Passion for the library and its role in the community.
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Dedication to supporting the missions of both Friends of Ontario City Library and Ontario City Library.
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Reliable attendance.
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Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
This is a volunteer (unpaid) position with the City of Ontario. As such, the City of Ontario's General Process for employment does not apply to this position. All volunteers are required to pass a criminal background check. Criminal arrest and/or conviction information as well as subsequent arrest notifications will be obtained from the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and/or Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Application Process
If this is your first time applying for a position using Ontario's Online Hiring Center, you will need to create an account by creating a Username and Password. After your account has been created, you can complete your volunteer application by clicking on the "Build Job Application" link. Your application will be saved online and can be used to apply for other volunteer or employment opportunities with the City of Ontario.
Email Notices
Email is the primary way that the Human Resources/Risk Management Agency or Hiring Department will communicate with you. Please check your email account (including the SPAM folder) on a regular basis for any emails related to the application or selection process. Emails from the City of Ontario will come from "@ontarioca.gov" or "governmentjobs.com." If you change your email address after submitting your application, please visit governmentjobs.com and update your profile.
