Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteering is a great way to provide meaningful service to our community and to meet people from all walks of life.
Become a Library Volunteer
Develop skills, share your talents and make a difference in your community. Library volunteers help kids and teens with homework, tutor adult English learners, assist librarians with programs and events and more. If no volunteer roles are listed, there are no openings at this time.
Current Volunteer Opportunities
Homework Help Tutor - Openings Available Soon
Want to support K-12 students? Join us as a Homework Help tutor! In addition to helping with homework, tutors also work with students to develop literacy, math, and learning skills.
We will begin recruitment for new volunteers for the 2026-2027 school year in late June, with service beginning in September. Information about openings and how to apply will be posted on this page when available. Shifts are 1.5-2 hours per week. Volunteers will be most needed at the following locations:
- High Point (Monday - Wednesday afternoons)
- Lake City (Tuesday - Thursday afternoons and evenings)
- Northgate (Monday afternoons, Tuesday - Wednesday afternoons and evenings)
- Rainier Beach (Monday afternoons, Wednesday afternoons and evenings)
If you would like to receive an email when recruitment begins, please contact volunteer@spl.org to be added to our waitlist. If you previously applied within the last year and are still interested, please contact us.
Volunteers must be 18 or older and must be comfortable helping with math at the elementary school (or higher) level. K-5 students are the primary audience at many of our sites.
Volunteer: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find out if there are currently volunteer openings for adults?
Available opportunities are listed on this page. Because of considerable interest in volunteering at the Library, we are unable to place all interested volunteers.
Visit the following websites to learn about other volunteer opportunities that are available in the community.
What is the time commitment for volunteering?
Adult Tutors and Homework Helpers typically volunteer once a week for two hours. We request a six-month commitment. If you are looking for a short-term volunteer opportunity, contact:
How do I complete court-mandated community service hours?
You cannot complete court-mandated hours at The Seattle Public Library, but you can fulfill this requirement at other local organizations, including:
- Seattle Parks and Recreation’s volunteer work parties
- Food Lifeline and local food banks
- Idealist
- United Way of King County
How can I volunteer with the Friends of The Seattle Public Library?
The Friends of The Seattle Public Library is a nonprofit group that supports fundraising and advocacy on behalf of the Library. They offer volunteer positions at their book sales and in the FriendShop at the Central Library. Find out how to get involved with the Friends.
Can my group work on a service project with the Library?
We do not offer service projects for groups of volunteers. The following organizations offer volunteer opportunities for groups:
Where can I earn service learning hours for high school graduation?
While we are not currently offering teen service learning programs at The Library, we have suggestions for other teen learning opportunities in your community.
Are student internships offered for college students?
Students who are enrolled in the MLIS program at the University of Washington are eligible to apply for a Directed Fieldwork Internship at The Seattle Public Library. Students of color are encouraged to apply. Contact your academic adviser for more information. Visit Student Internships to learn about the City of Seattle’s internships for students.