Library Hours:
Monday: 12-7PM
Tuesday-Friday: 10AM-5PM
Saturday: 10AM-2PM
Sunday: Closed
Contact Us:
25 W 15th St, Chicago Heights, IL 60411
Phone Number: (708) 754-0323
I. PURPOSE
The purpose of the Chicago Heights Public Library volunteer program is to give individuals fulfilling
opportunities to use their skills to provide public service to the community, to supplement the efforts of
paid library staff in meeting demands for quality public service, and to further the relationship between
the public library and the community it serves. The Chicago Heights Public Library shall make use of the
services of volunteers to supplement and not replace the work done by library staff.
I. GENERAL PROVISION
A. A volunteer is any individual who assists with work done at the Chicago Heights Public Library
without wages, benefits, or expectation of monetary compensation of any kind.
B. Nothing in this policy shall be deemed to create a contract between the volunteer and the
Library. Both the volunteer and the Library have the right to terminate the volunteer’s
association with the Library at any time, for any reason, with or without cause.
C. The Chicago Heights Public Library will not provide any medical, health, or worker’s
compensation benefits for any volunteer. Volunteers will not be eligible to receive any worker’s
compensation benefits for any injuries sustained while functioning as a volunteer.
D. Volunteers are bound by the policies and procedures of the Chicago Heights Public Library.
III. ELIGIBILTY
A. Potential volunteers will complete a volunteer application and must meet with the
department manager and/or Library Director prior to beginning services. Adult volunteers
(18and up) will be required to present a government-issued ID as part of their application
process, and be subject to a criminal background check prior to acceptance of their application.
Acceptance of an application is at the volunteer coordinator’s discretion.
B. The library will not provide opportunities for fulfillment of court-ordered community service
obligations.
C. Volunteers may also be required to complete a library orientation prior to beginning services.
D. If there are no suitable volunteer opportunities, application forms shall be kept on file for a
period of one (1) year. Applicants
IV. HOURS
A. Hours of volunteer service will be determined by the supervisory staff member in discussion
with the volunteer.
B. Hours of volunteer service are based on the Library’s need for the type of assistance the
volunteer is able to provide
C. The Library cannot commit to providing a certain number of hours by certain deadline.
Meeting deadlines and reporting requirements to third parties is the responsibility of the
volunteer not the library staff.
V. VOLUNTEER EXPECTATIONS
A. Volunteers are expected to:
1. Arrive to begin their volunteer assignments as scheduled.
2. Call the supervisor to in charge of the volunteer assignment to report absence or late
arrival.
3. Sign in and out on the time log and obtain a staff signature.
4. Dress appropriately for working in a public service area.
5. Use language and exhibit an attitude reflective of respect and cooperative spirit.
6. Request approval for all breaks from the supervisor in charge of the volunteer
assignment.
7. Inform the supervisor in charge of the volunteer assignment when a task is complete.
8. Protect the confidentiality of all library information.
9. Comply with all provisions of the Patron Behavior Policy.
10. Immediately update the Library if there is any change in their criminal background or
status.
B. This list of expectations is not intended to be all-inclusive, and any violation of the Library’s
policies or behavior considered inappropriate may be grounds for termination of the volunteer’s
association with the Library.
VI. Volunteers may be asked to serve at events off library property and must provide their own
transportation to and from the site.
VII. If a paid library position opens, volunteer applicants shall be evaluated on the same criteria as other
applicants.