Volunteer for the Oakland Public Library!
This page lists current adult volunteer opportunities with OPL and some of our Friends groups. Teen volunteers (ages 13-17) can find more information on the Teen Volunteer page.
Adopt a Spot Volunteers at OPL
The Elmhurst Branch Library (1427 88th Avenue): Make this neighborhood library shine by picking up litter. Supplies are provided, and the timing is flexible. Email sdubois@oaklandlibrary.org to learn more.
The African American Museum and Library at Oakland (659 14th Street): Help with community beautification at special events organized by the Friends-Stewards of African American Museum & Library at Oakland. Visit their website, opens a new window to learn more.
Lakeview Branch Library (550 El Embarcadero): Lakeview Friends host a group workday on the third Saturday of each month from 9:00 - 11:00 am. Volunteers are welcome to drop in and help with garden maintenance and litter clean-up.
Also at the Lakeview Branch: help keep the library free of litter at a time that works for you. After training, you can come whenever the library is open to access supplies and do a cleanup. Email sdubois@oaklandlibrary.org to learn more.
Melrose Branch Library (4805 Foothill Blvd.): Join us on the second Saturday of the month to beautify the Melrose Library perimeter and to assist with small gardening projects. For more information, contact Branch Manager Joshua Alperin at 510-535-5623.
Help in Asian Branch Library's Sewing Lab
The Asian Library, opens a new window (388 Ninth Street, Suite 190) has a busy sewing lab that operates on Mondays from 10am - 12 pm. The library is looking for a skilled volunteer who knows how to operate a sewing machine and is comfortable trouble-shooting. Cantonese language skills a plus, but not required.
To learn more, please complete the OPL volunteer application.
Support OPL by volunteering with Library Friends!
Volunteer with the Friends of Melrose Library
The Friends of Melrose Library is an informal group of patrons and volunteers who share a common love for the Melrose Branch Library (4805 Foothill Blvd.) For more than 20 years, this dedicated group has supported their neighborhood library and the surrounding community. Current initiatives include a monthly trash clean-up, regular gardening projects, and volunteering at annual library programs such as Summer Lunch at the Library and National Night Out.
The Friends of Melrose are interested in growing their group and would welcome new Friends.
Please complete this form, opens a new window to share a bit more about your skills, interests, and connection to the Melrose Library.
Volunteer with the Friends of Elmhurst Library
The Friends of Elmhurst Library (FOEL) are a small but powerful group of volunteers who support OPL’s active branch library at 1427 88th Avenue. For more than two decades, the FOEL have advocated, fundraised, and volunteered to make this neighborhood library better.
Current leaders Allene Warren and Mary Forte invite everyone who loves libraries to consider joining them to support the Elmhurst Branch.
New Friends are asked to attend bi-monthly meetings at the branch and to contribute their time to one of the pressing current needs: communications, leadership, litter walk, and/or garden support. To learn more, or to rsvp for the next meeting, contact Elmhurstfriends@gmail.com.
Pick up a Weekly Shift at the Bookmark Bookstore!
The Friends of the Oakland Public Library, opens a new window are seeking volunteers support bookstore operations at 933 Broadway in downtown Oakland.
Duties include lifting and moving heavy items such as boxes of books, organizing shelves, sorting donations, and handling sales during open store hours (now open 11:00 am - 5:00 p.m. Sunday through Friday, 11:00 am - 6:00 p.m. Saturday).
Please complete the Friends' Bookmark Volunteer Form, opens a new window and one of the store managers will be in touch.
If you have any questions about these volunteer opportunities, please contact Sara DuBois, Coordinator of Grants & Volunteers, at sdubois@oaklandlibrary.org.
