Lexington’s African American Heritage Walking Tour
Join us for an on-demand walking tour of Downtown Lexington’s African American heritage sites.
Join us for an on-demand walking tour of Downtown Lexington’s African American heritage sites.
Explore topics related to Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) in this space for youth, grades 3-12.
Learn how the Lexington Public Library Foundation empowers change within our library system.
Learn or develop a personal or professional skill with LinkedIn Learning classes, available for free with your library card.
Did you know physical materials renew automatically if they don’t have a waiting list? Check your account online to see the status of your items.
The Lexington Public Library welcomes your time and talents! There are a number of volunteer opportunities available, and we will accommodate your preferences for location and hours as much as possible.
To get started volunteering, check out the descriptions and links to apply below. Contact our Volunteer Coordinator if you have questions or need help completing your application.
Access your MyImpactPage.com profile and sign up for volunteering opportunities here.
LPL After School is a FREE drop-in program for kids aged 5-12 that takes place after regular school hours on Mondays through Fridays. Volunteers are needed during this time to assist program participants with reading, homework, and STEAM and other enrichment activities! Snacks will continue to be provided to youth age 18 and younger courtesy of God's Pantry. Volunteer shifts are offered from 3:00-5:00 PM Monday-Friday throughout the school year at Marksbury and Northside Branches. Summer volunteering will be offered on a limited basis from 3:00-4:00 PM.
Interested in assisting folks making, doing, and crafting? Volunteers are needed on a regular basis in our Makerspace at Eastside Branch and our Makerspace at Marksbury Branch! No specific experience is required, but experience with computers is preferred. Makerspace volunteers must be able to commit at least 3 months to a regular schedule, be 18 years or older, and have an interest in creating and helping others. Volunteers can expect to assist customers of all ability and skill levels, at Eastside ranging from teens to adults, and at Marksbury from kids to adults. No two days will be the same, so volunteers should be comfortable assisting customers with a wide range of projects. Current volunteer shifts at Eastside are available on Wednesdays or Thursdays from 3-6 PM. Current volunteer shifts at Marksbury are available Mondays and Tuesdays from 3-6 PM each day, and the 2nd and 4th Sundays of every month from 1-4 PM. In the summer, shifts at Marksbury will expand on Mondays and Tuesdays from 12-3 PM and 3-6 PM on both days, with Sunday hours staying the same.
ESOL- Beginners English Classes and/or English Conversation Groups are current and upcoming programs taking place at several of our library locations. These classes or groups are for individuals learning English to improve English language reading, writing, listening, or speaking skills. Required skills and experience for volunteers include: consistent attendance on a weekly basis, being comfortable communicating with limited English speaking population; having an understanding and acceptance of diverse populations; having experience leading groups and serving as moderator of up to 20 people; and being an encouraging presence with a positive attitude. Volunteers will have resources and trainings available to prepare them for ESOL instruction and tutoring. Volunteers are needed to assist with ESOL programs at a few of our library locations on a variety of weekly schedules, so if interested, please apply.
Library Helpers: Tasks to Support your Library is intended for volunteers who are interested in assisting with some of the daily functions of our library locations. Many of these tasks require little to no training and have a very flexible schedule. Tasks may include shelf reading and straightening, cleaning and organizing children’s department areas, sanitizing surfaces, cutting paper and preparing craft materials, and more. Task availability will vary by the library location, day of the week, time of day, and season. Time commitments can vary, but volunteers should expect to volunteer from at least 30 minutes to 2 hours at a time.
Community Transcription Project Volunteer (Remote): The Library has many handwritten documents in the Digital Archives that are not currently searchable. Transcription of these documents will make them more usable for people researching Kentucky history and ancestors. We are seeking volunteers to assist with transcribing documents online for current and future projects! Requirements to volunteer with this opportunity are: able to read cursive, able to use a computer and access the internet, and able to transcribe 2-4 pages at a time. This volunteer opportunity is flexible in schedule, as you get to determine when, where, and how long you transcribe!
The current transcription project is Baptismal Ledgers from St. Paul Catholic Church in Lexington, KY. These ledgers contain baptism records dating back to 1854 and include genealogical information such as birthdates and parents’ names, information not widely available in Kentucky until 1911. More projects will be added as they become available.
Our internship opportunities are currently focused on public services at our library locations. We invite you to apply if you are seeking an internship placement for course credit or are enrolled in a library science program, and are interested in gaining experience working in a public library. Internship placements are limited and dependent on location capacity, student schedule, and more. The internship onboarding process includes a completed online application, submission of proof of enrollment and resume, a call/interview with library branch management, a completed background check, and an orientation. Please contact our Volunteer Coordinator for a detailed internship description.
What to Consider Before Applying:
What You Should Have:
The minimum age to volunteer is 14 years old. Parent/guardian permission is required for any volunteers aged 14-17. Certain roles for volunteers aged 14-17 may require an adult chaperone to volunteer with them.
In order to begin volunteering with the Lexington Public Library, you will need to:
The Lexington Public Library does not offer volunteer opportunities for court-ordered community service.
Volunteer roles have varying time commitments. Many roles require a longer term commitment, for several months or even a year. Other roles, especially for teens, may require less of a time commitment. Volunteers are expected to fulfill their time commitment to Lexington Public Library as it is agreed upon at the time of acceptance and scheduling.
The Friends of the Library operate a bookstore – Friends Book Cellar – in the lower level of the Central Library. Money raised by selling books and gifts supports new and ongoing Library programs and services. Help is needed with sorting, shelving, and selling books. Call 859-231-5505 for more information. Click here to apply.