How Can You Support the Library

As Friends of the Old Town Public Library, our purpose is to promote the use of the library, and to support the many programs for people of all ages, that take place at the library. Through donations and fund raising activities we help to enhance what the library already has to offer. 

To become a member of the Friends of the Old Town Public Library, pick up a membership form at the Circulation Desk, or fill out the following membership form and bring it to the library with your membership payment:

The Old Town Public Library accepts material donations, which are first evaluated for their appropriateness for adding to the collection. Items not added to the collection are sold through our Cat in the Stacks Bookshop, with proceeds going toward the purchase of new materials; given to our friends group, or given away. We will only accept items that are in good condition. We do not accept encyclopedias, magazines, VHS tapes or newspapers. Textbooks are accepted on a limited basis (according to subject).

Grants from corporations, foundations, local businesses, civic organizations and community groups help the ensure that the library remains free and accessible to all within our community. Grants make is possible for us to improve our building, upgrade our technology, support our programming and enhance our collection.

A memorial book is a way to remember someone who has passed away. Many people purchase memorial books for their library simply because it is a positive way to remember someone special. The shelf life of a book often spans many years, while flowers perish quickly. All libraries, not just the Old Town Public Library, accept these types of gifts. It is one of the ways that we have to increase the number of books, videos, or audiobooks that we offer to the patrons that we serve.

If you wish to make a memorial contribution to any library contact the library director or librarian and tell him/her what you would like to do. Every library has a "wish list" of books and/or other materials like videos and audiobooks that they would like to add to their collection. When you leave it to the library a staff member will normally purchase something that their collection needs. You can also give a couple of subject areas that the deceased person enjoyed and let the library staff try to find something in this manner. Either way a memorial gift lasts for years and many people benefit from the gift. Cards are sent to the family of the deceased person informing them of each gift. It is such a positive way to remember the passing of a special person. For more information about how your library processes memorial gifts, please ask at the Circulation Counter.

If you would like to give a memorial contribution, please complete the following form and submit with payment:

Direct cash contributions are the most common option for giving, and can be either designated for a specific purpose, or given without restrictions. Cash gifts are used to purchase materials, to provide programs for both children and adults, to enhance library furnishings or gathering spaces, to develop and sustain the gardens, or to meet the library’s immediate needs. The library has received contributions from such entities as:  individuals, civic organizations, corporations, foundations and associations.

• Memorial/Gift Form

How to become an Old Town Public Library Volunteer
Volunteers are recruited, screened, selected, trained and evaluated similar to paid staff. A volunteer’s skills and abilities must match project needs. Therefore, we do not accept everyone who applies. We have the responsibility to ensure that our volunteer staff fully supports and supplements staff performance. We do not accept court-directed community service volunteers.

• An application MUST be filled out.
• Applications can be obtained at the front desk of the library or on our website. ALL applications go to the Volunteer Coordinator for initial review.
• Volunteers must be at least 13 years of age to volunteer and those under 18 years of age MUST have parent or legal guardian signature on the Volunteer Agreement Form. Service hours for those under 18 shall follow the child Labor laws enforced by the federal government; please refer to the Department of Labor

Role of the Library Volunteer

For the library, volunteers serve to:

• Expand support for routine tasks and special library projects,
• Enhance the level and quality of customer services, and
• Provide supplemental expertise.

For individuals, volunteering helps to:

• Provide personal satisfaction, growth, and enrichment as well as opportunities to acquire new technical, office, administrative, or customer service skills,
• Impart a sense of personal achievement from learning new skills or successfully completing a project, and
• Increase feelings of self-worth and pride from helping others.

Review Process

• Once the Volunteer Coordinator receives the application, the application review process will begin. Please allow 3-4 business days for this review process. Applicants will be contacted to discuss volunteering with OTPL and to review the information submitted on the application.
• Each person will be required to meet with the Volunteer Coordinator in person before being placed as a volunteer. In order to ensure the safety of OTPL staff members, patrons, and volunteers, we require background checks.
• Each volunteer is required to sign the Volunteer Agreement Form.
• The Volunteer Coordinator will then coordinate placement, duties, schedule and orientation/training for the volunteer.
• The Volunteer Coordinator will keep original applications on file. If an applicant cannot be placed as a volunteer, the Volunteer Coordinator will notify the individual and keep the application on file for six months in case other opportunities arise.
• Each volunteer will be oriented into OTPL before volunteering begins. The orientation will give each volunteer insight into OTPL and its services. It will include knowledge of the mission, policies and procedures, and other organizational procedures, in addition to knowledge of the library structure.
• Direct training in specific volunteer tasks will come from the designated Volunteer Supervisor.