Be a Library Volunteer

Volunteering requires enthusiasm, commitment and a desire to help others. Ottawa Public Library has some limited opportunities for volunteers. Volunteer opportunities are also available from the City of Ottawa.

Conversation Group Volunteers 

Conversation group volunteers lead and facilitate conversation groups for people practicing French or English language skills at library conversation groups.

  • You must be at least 14 years old to be a volunteer
  • You must submit an application. This can be done online through Better Impact.  An application is not a guarantee of a placement.
  • Volunteer screening includes an interview and reference checks
  • Some volunteer placements may require a Police Records Check

For more information, contact: libraryvolunteers [at] BiblioOttawaLibrary.ca.

Teen Volunteers

Teens can complete 40 hours of the Ontario Ministry of Education requirement for community involvement at the Library in a variety of ways. Teens who wish to volunteer must have parent/guardian permission, through Better Impact.

  • Joining a Teen Advisory Group (ages 14 to 18). Examples of projects and responsibilities of TAGs can be found here.
  • Helping Children’s staff with programs
    • Preparing craft materials and program supplies
    • Designing and maintaining displays
    • Helping during children’s activities
  • Helping to prepare for upcoming Teen programs
    • Teen Author Fest (annually in the Fall)
  • Helping with programs for seniors
    • Assisting in Wii gaming programs
    • Being a monitor during computer classes
  • Preparing kits for outreach events
    • Every Kid a Card campaign, 1-2-3 Read with me, Summer Reading Club, and / or Share the Words program
    • Encouraging children who are reluctant readers to develop the self-confidence and the motivation to read for pleasure
    • This program matches a volunteer teen who is an avid reader with a younger reluctant reader on a one-to-one basis
  • Summer Volunteer Program for Teens
    • Assist with a variety of projects during July and August
  • Special Events
  • Shelf Maintenance
    • Putting materials in order
    • Sorting materials

For more information, contact: libraryvolunteers [at] BiblioOttawaLibrary.ca.