HPL Volunteer Youth Application

First Name*

Middle Name

Last Name*

Email Address*

Preferred Pronoun Usage

She, her, hers

He, him, his

They, their, theirs

Not listed

Please enter your birthdate*

All Volunteers must be 14 years or older.

Applicants under 18 must provide contact information about a parent/caregiver for permission to volunteer.

Parent/Guardian Name*

Relationship*

Parent/Guardian email*

Parental consent form will be emailed to this email address prior to selection approval.

Parent /Guardian phone number*

Volunteers must be over the age of 14

Please re-apply once you turn 14.

Mailing Information

Address*

City*

Zip Code*

Cell Phone*

Phone

Home Phone (if different from cell phone)

Phone

Emergency Contact

Emergency Contact Name (1)*

Emergency Contact Phone*

Phone

Emergency Contact Email*

Emergency Contact (2) Name

Optional

Emergency Contact (2) phone

Optional

Phone

Emergency Contact (2) email

Optional

Special Needs

As an organization, we are committed to meeting the needs of people with learning difficulties or disabilities, so please let us know if you require additional support.

Availability

What days and times of the week are you available to volunteer?

Monday*

Morning

Afternoon

Evening

Not at all

Tuesday*

Morning

Afternoon

Evening

Not at all

Wednesday*

Morning

Afternoon

Evening

Not at all

Thursday*

Morning

Afternoon

Evening

Not at all

Friday*

Morning

Afternoon

Not at all

Saturday*

Morning

Afternoon

Not at all

How many hours per month are you available to work?*

Attributes and Skills

Why are you interested in volunteering at HPL?*

Please let us know if you need volunteer hours for school.

School Name

Please enter your school's name?

Tell us about your past volunteer experience.

Leave blank if not applicable.

Where did you hear about volunteering at the library?

Please select any that apply.

Select

Please specify how you heard about volunteering at the library.

Please select up to 3 preferred locations to volunteer.*

All volunteer openings are dependent on each location’s current projects and needs. Some of the volunteer positions may not be available at the time of application. Locations marked as Full are not currently accepting volunteers.

If you are interested in one of the research centers (Houston History Research Center, Family History Research Center at the Clayton Library, or the African American History Research Center at the Gregory School) please select the Central location and indicate which centers are of interest to you in the next section.

Select

Please list your interests, hobbies, skills, or experiences to help us match you to volunteer opportunities.

Please select any language(s) other than English that you speak, read, or write fluently.

Select

I would like to receive emails about volunteer opportunities.*

Yes

Agreement

Houston Public Library Volunteer Services Policy Requirements

All volunteers will meet the following basic criteria:

Applicant must be 14 years of age or older
Applicants 18 years of age or older must consent to a criminal background check
Must complete own application to ensure answers provided are true and complete to the best of your knowledge.
Applicant cannot apply for court ordered or court required volunteer hours
Must abide by the policies set forth by the Houston Public Library.
Must attend an orientation and follow the volunteer position description
Must set and maintain a planned work schedule
Must agree that the Houston Public Library nor the City of Houston will be liable for injuries by applicant, or any other person, as a result of the applicant's action, or the action of others.
Must agree to accept release from assignment if conduct or performance is deemed unsatisfactory for any reason by supervisor.
The Houston Public Library places volunteers at the organization's discretion, not solely by applicants' preference.

By checking the box, you agree to comply to the policy above.

Notice of Background Screenings

The Houston Public Library conducts background screenings on individuals 18 years of age and older. Volunteers must consent to a yearly criminal background screening to continue participation in the HPL Internship Program. All information collected will be kept confidential and used solely for processing backgrounds.

Acknowledgement, Waiver, and Release

Please review and check all the acknowledgements below and provide electronic signature below.

I ACKNOWLEDGE and UNDERSTAND that I am volunteering my services to the Program gratuitously, without any express or implied promise by the City to compensate me for my services, and I am not entitled to, and will not receive, remuneration of any kind, including, but not limited to, salary or reimbursement for my transportation, parking, travel, or any other expenses whatsoever which may be incidental to my services as a volunteer for the Program.*

I ACKNOWLEDGE and UNDERSTAND that I am not an employee of the City. I ACKNOWLEDGE and UNDERSTAND that because I am not an employee of the City, I am not entitled to any benefits normally associated with employment, including, but not limited to, Workers' Compensation, retirement and leave accrual. I ACKNOWLEDGE and UNDERSTAND that there has been, and will be, no promise of future employment with the City.*

I ACKNOWLEDGE and UNDERSTAND that I am not an agent of the City and I will not make any commitment on behalf of the City to third parties. I ACKNOWLEDGE and UNDERSTAND that I must conform to the rules and regulations of the City to the best of my ability including, but not limited to, timely notice if I am sick and cannot be in attendance, and timely arrival at the office or work site to commence my services on the days I have agreed to perform my services.*

I ACKNOWLEDGE and UNDERSTAND that my services as a volunteer can be terminated at any time by me or by the City.*

I ACKNOWLEDGE and UNDERSTAND that I will be participating in the Program at my own risk. I affirm that I am physically fit and prepared to perform services in the Program. I will not create an unsafe situation for other individuals, or myself, nor will I use any tool or engage in any task with which I am not completely comfortable. I will abide by all applicable federal, state and local laws, as well as the rules and directions of the Program coordinators. If I see any situation that I feel is unsafe, I will call it to the attention of a safety coordinator.*

I hereby grant the City full and complete permission to use in legitimate promotions of the Program photographs, video shots and quotations from me.*

I ACKNOWLEDGE and UNDERSTAND that I may be exposed to confidential information while participating in the Program and I agree to respect the confidential nature of all information, whether in files or in electronic form, and/or any other confidential information which may be revealed to me in any other manner (including contacts with third parties who relate confidential information to the City). I also agree not to remove any such information, or any copies thereof or other recording whatsoever from the City's work locations. I represent and warrant that I am not currently representing a member of, and/or associated with any person or entity against any City interests. I further agree that I will not represent any person or entity in the future in a matter adverse to the City on which I worked in the Program. I represent and warrant that I have never been charged with or convicted of a violation of any criminal statute, whether felony or misdemeanor, (excluding parking violations) and further represent and warrant that I am not now or have never been on any form of parole, probation or deferred adjudication. I hereby authorize the City to research my personal background, as it deems necessary, for my driving record and criminal history. I further authorize the City to perform a drug test if my volunteer services include safety impact duties.*

Release

IN CONSIDERATION OF PARTICIPANT BEING PERMITTED TO PARTICIPATE AND AS A CONDITION TO BEING ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM, I, THE UNDERSIGNED, FOR AND ON BEHALF OF MYSELF, MY MINOR CHILD (IF APPLICABLE), MY HEIRS, EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS AND ASSIGNS, HEREBY RELEASE, ACQUIT AND FOREVER DISCHARGE THE CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS, TOGETHER WITH ITS FORMER AND PRESENT ELECTED AND APPOINTED OFFICIALS, DIRECTORS, LEGAL REPRESENTATIVES, AGENTS, SERVANTS, EMPLOYEES (IN BOTH THEIR PUBLIC AND PRIVATE CAPACITIES), VOLUNTEERS, SUCCESSORS, ASSIGNS, AND ALL AFFILIATED PERSONS AND ENTITIES (HEREINAFTER COLLECTIVELY CITY), OF, FROM AND AGAINST ANY AND ALL LIABILITIES OF EVERY KIND, CLAIMS, CAUSES OF ACTION, WHETHER AT LAW OR IN EQUITY, IN CONTRACT OR TORT, UNDER STATUTORY OR COMMON LAW OR PURSUANT TO THE TEXAS OR UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION(S) (INCLUDING ALL EXPENSES OF LITIGATION, COSTS, AND ATTORNEYS FEES), KNOWN AND UNKNOWN, LOSSES, JUDGMENTS, FINES, DEMANDS, DAMAGES, LOSS OF USE OR SERVICES, OR INJURIES TO REAL AND/OR PERSONAL PROPERTY AND/OR PERSONS (INCLUDING DEATH) (COLLECTIVELY CLAIMS), CAUSED BY, ARISING OUT OF, TOUCHING UPON OR IN ANY WAY RELATING TO THE PROGRAM AND/OR THE PRESENCE, MALFUNCTION, MAINTENANCE, ADDITION, SUBSTITUTION, USE OR CONDITION OF ANY TANGIBLE PERSONAL OR REAL PROPERTY OWNED, LEASED, OPERATED, OR UTILIZED BY THE CITY IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROGRAM EVEN IF THE CLAIM IS THE RESULT OF THE ACTUAL OR ALLEGED SOLE NEGLIGENCE OF THE CITY AND/OR THE RESULT OF THE ACTUAL OR ALLEGED GROSS NEGLIGENCE OF THE CITY, AND/OR THE ACTUAL OR ALLEGED JOINT OR CONCURRENT NEGLIGENCE OF THE CITY AND ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY, AND/OR THE ACTUAL OR ALLEGED STRICT, STATUTORY OR CONSTITUTIONAL LIABILITY OF THE CITY.

Participant Electronic Signature*

Please type your name below to confirm your interest in volunteering with the Houston Public Library (HPL). The HPL Volunteer Services Coordinator will review your application, send the parental consent form and follow-up with you within 5-10 business days.

Send me a copy of my responses

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