I’m a first time Book Bank volunteer. What should I know?

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Welcome and thank you for choosing to spend your time with us! 

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Here are some other things to keep in mind:

• Individual volunteers must be over the age of 16. Children 13 and up are welcome if supervised by an adult. 

• Some of the work may be physical, such as lifting boxes, sorting books and organizing bookshelves. Volunteers may be required to squat, kneel, and lift boxes up to 30lbs.

• We are located in a warehouse, so please dress appropriately (jeans, closed toe shoes, casual shirts) and consider the weather.  

• All volunteers must fill out a waiver before their first volunteer service.  You can fill out the volunteer waiver here.

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Do you offer internships?

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Yes, we offer Spring, Summer, and Fall internships. The application can be found here.

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I’d like to volunteer at the next community event. Is that possible?

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The Book Bank attends several events throughout the year and we always need volunteers. We seek lead volunteers and individual contributors to ensure we maximize the Book Bank’s experience at these events. Projects include organizing and loading the Bookmobile, accepting donations on-site, and interacting with the community.

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Our primary community outreach events are the Baltimore Book Festival every fall and our own Books for Kids Day on the first Saturday in May. As these events approach look to our social media and newsletters for opportunities to sign up and help. 

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Can I bring my child?

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Currently, we are able to welcome children over the age of 13 to the Book Bank – some of our best volunteers are children!  We encourage all volunteers to learn more about the work they may be doing and take that into consideration when thinking about bringing a child.

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What volunteer times are available?

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Volunteer times are listed on our sign-up genius.  

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How much time do I need to commit?

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Individuals and groups should plan to be at the Book Bank for at least two to three hours.

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Do you accept community members with disabilities?

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Yes! We have several activities that are a great fit for those with disabilities. Please contact Kim Crout at ktabb@marylandbookbank.org if you have any specific concerns. 

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What should I wear?

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Please wear casual clothing that is easy to move around in. Jeans, close-toed shoes (sneakers, no sandals), and a T-shirt are appropriate. On cold days you may want to also wear a sweatshirt or light jacket.  

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What should I bring?

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Your enthusiasm, passion for books and kids, and willingness to learn!

We have a water fountain and restrooms on-site. The Book Bank does not have secure storage for your belongings and is not responsible for any lost or stolen items.

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