All new adult learners must be assessed before starting the program. The assessment consists of a series of evaluations which should take approximately 1.5-2 hours to complete. Assessments are scheduled based only on your availability and is not a weekly commitment.

• Requirements and Commitment: Have the desire to help promote and grow the PAL program, be at least 24 years of age, complete 2 hour, in-person training, have a valid email address and proficient knowledge of computer use
• Schedule and Attendance: Based on your availability (is not a weekly commitment.)
• Job Description: Working with Literacy staff to assist with either 1) office-related needs, including filing paperwork, inputting data, shelving books; 2) creating original content that promotes community awareness of the program for social media platforms and/or newsletters; or 3) set-up/clean-up at various events.

If you have any questions, please contact Project Adult Literacy at literacy@newportbeachca.gov or (949) 717-3874.

Library

Adults 18 and older are invited to volunteer at the Central Library to assist with the Homebound Delivery Service. Volunteer spots are limited and vary depending on library needs and availability.

Volunteers must commit to 20 hours of service per year and must attend volunteer training before starting their assignment. All volunteers are required to complete fingerprinting and a background check. Submitting an application does not guarantee placement into the program.

Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served and as needed basis. We currently have a waitlist for Homebound Volunteers. You are welcome to apply and join the waitlist. 

Homebound Program Volunteer

• Requirements and Commitment: In addition to the guidelines listed above, must have reliable transportation and participate in a Homebound Volunteer Training.

• Schedule and Attendance: Deliver books on a once a month basis with a one year commitment. Delivery arrangements are coordinated between Homebound Volunteer, Volunteer Coordinator and Homebound Patron.

• Job Description: You will generally provide one to two hours of service each month. You will contact the Homebound Patron to make delivery arrangements. After delivering the new items to the patron, you will return the previous month’s items to the library for check-in.

Submit an Adult Volunteer Application

If you have any questions, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at mlutgen@newportbeachca.gov or (949) 717-3821.

Friends of the Library

The Friends operate a used bookstore in the Central Library, manned by a volunteer staff of over 100 dedicated individuals. The Bookstore is open Monday through Saturday, from 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Books donated by the public are sorted and priced, then sold in the store. Prices range from 50 cents to $100, but most books are sold for 50 cents to $3. Books of special value are offered for sale on the internet through Amazon or an auction house. In addition, books discarded by the library are sold at minimal prices in the store

Triannual Book Sales

Every four months, on the first Friday and Saturday of February, June, and October, books not sold in the store are placed for sale in the Friends Meeting Room at the Central Library. Friday sale day is for Members Only. All books remaining are sold by the bag on Saturday to the general public.

Volunteer at the bookstore or the booksale!

Visit the Friends page or contact the Friends of the Library at nblibfriend@gmail.com or (949) 759-9667 to learn more.

Teen Volunteers

The Newport Beach Public Library Children’s Department offers a variety of volunteer positions to provide young adults with an opportunity to learn valuable work-life skills and give back to their community. All youth volunteers must be in 7^th through 12^th grade and age 12 to 18 years old. Volunteer spots are limited and vary depending on library needs and availability.

We encourage teen volunteers to complete their own application, submit it to the library, and take the leading role in communicating with the library staff.

Volunteers must commit to 20 hours of service per year and must attend volunteer training before starting their assignment. All volunteers ages 15 and up are required to complete fingerprinting and a background check. Submitting an application does not guarantee placement into the program.

Book Reviewer

Do you enjoy reading and writing? Become one of the library’s teen book reviewers and help other teens find out about books you love. You can be a volunteer at home! Must be able to write in a conversational way with minimal grammar and spelling errors.

Children’s Department Assistant

If you like a variety of work and being in the library, this volunteer job is for you. One shift you might be helping with our Summer Reading Program and the next shift working on craft materials, you just never know, but it all helps here at the Library.

Must be 12-18 and in 7^th through 12^th grade. Minimum commitment is 20 hours per year. Shifts are 1 to 2 hours weekly.

YAAC (Young Adult Advisory Council)

Make a difference. Join this enthusiastic team and participate in critical discussions and fun programs.

Must be 12-18, in 7^th through 12^th grade and live in Newport Beach. Minimum commitment is 20 hours of volunteer work per year in addition to the monthly meeting.

To apply for Teen Volunteer opportunities, fill out the online Teen Volunteer application.  Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served and as needed basis.

If you have any questions, please contact our Teen Services team at teenservices@newportbeachca.gov.