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Volunteer Opportunities at the Library

The Denver Public Library offers a variety of volunteer opportunities to our community. 

Current Openings

Phone-A-Story Volunteer 

We are looking for volunteers that are interested in recording stories or songs for Phone-a-Story., which is our service that brings the joy of storytelling directly to customers via phone. Users can select from a variety of options to enjoy stories, riddles, or songs that cater to different age groups and preferences.  We are particularly interested in volunteers who speak Arabic and Vietnamese as we try to build and expand these language offerings/lines. Please fill out this application form so we can schedule you to be part of this great service. 

 

Read Aloud Volunteer 

Applications are now open for our Read Aloud Program! Read Aloud places trained volunteers at preschool classrooms in Denver to read with children once a week for 25-30 minutes each week. The program serves children from lower-income families who are attending Head Start and Early Childhood Education programs. Once a volunteer is matched with a teacher, they have the opportunity to decide together when is the best time and day to conduct their Read Aloud session. Visit their page to learn more and apply to be a volunteer! 

 
Home Delivery Volunteer - August Training Session 
We are currently looking for volunteers to support our Home Delivery program by delivering in Central and Southeast Denver. Our Home Delivery program pairs community volunteers with library customers who have barriers to accessing a library location and is a great opportunity to bring the library experience out into the community! 

The training will go over expectations and responsibilities that come with the role. We will also walk through the unique procedures and scenarios that come with bringing library services to someone's residence. Register here to attend the training. 

Current Volunteers 

Current Volunteers can log in to set up a volunteer profile or log hours.  Please only fill out this link if you are a current DPL volunteer. Thank you! 

Volunteer Log Hours  

For additional questions related to volunteering, please email volunteers@denverlibrary.org.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the age requirement for volunteering with the Denver Public Library?
  • What is the time commitment?
    • The time commitment varies depending on the volunteer role and responsibilities. Most assignments require a set schedule, whether weekly, bi-weekly or monthly. Please see current openings at the top of this page for specific expectations.
  • Do you offer short-term or one-time volunteer opportunities?
    • We may offer short-term and one-time opportunities based on project needs; it is more typical for volunteers to support long-term projects and activities. Please see current openings at the top of this page for more information on short-term, long-term and one-time opportunities.
  • Do you offer group (church/school/corporate) volunteer projects?
    • We do not typically offer group volunteer projects. However, any volunteer opportunities identified as open to groups can be found on the this page.
  • After submitting an application, what are the next steps?
    • Library staff will review your application and determine if you would be a good fit for the volunteer position based on the information provided as well as the needs of the location or department. If they choose to move forward with you as a volunteer, library staff will reach out to you to complete the necessary steps to be placed at a location.
  • Where will I be placed?
    • Volunteers will be placed based on the project to which they have applied and are assigned; all reasonable requests to be placed in a volunteer’s preferred library location or department will be considered, but may not be approved. If a volunteer is not able to commit to a particular location, they may request a different assignment or may be released from that particular assignment altogether.
  • Are background checks required to volunteer?
    • The Denver Public Library requires background checks for all adult (18+) volunteers working with staff and customers at any library location or offsite on behalf of the Denver Public Library.
  • Do you have openings for court-ordered community service volunteers?
    • Yes, on a limited basis, dependent on placement availability. Right now, all of our placement locations are full. Please check back at the beginning of July 2026.
  • Can I volunteer to complete community service hours for school?
    • Yes, if you are a teen in need of community service hours for school, you can volunteer at the library. Find opportunities on our Teen volunteer page.
  • Can I volunteer to sort books and help with the Used Book Sale?
    • Yes, you can support the work of the DPL Friends Foundation through their available volunteer opportunities. Learn more.