Volunteer at the Library

Assist the library in organizing and preserving its archives collections and special materials. Help care for Milwaukee’s local history at the Central Library and make the materials more accessible.

Preserving Newspaper Clippings.  Before computer indexing, articles were clipped out of old newspapers and sorted by subject. They now need to be preserved for future users.

• Remove the articles from the envelope and unfold them
• Sort and arrange the clippings in date order
• Remove duplicates or mis-filed clippings
• Trim the clippings to size and glue on to legal-sized paper
• Number the pages to prepare for microfilming

NOTE: After successfully completing an initial 40-hour assignment volunteers will be eligible to work on other special projects, depending on their interest and skills and the needs of the Library. Other jobs include but are not limited to

• creating indexes to books, photos, maps and plans
• encapsulating maps
• microfilming
• performing data entry
• re-foldering historic photographs
• repairing blueprints
• scanning images
• translating text

• Must be at least 14 years of age
• A high degree of accuracy and attention to detail
• Good vision and  hand-eye coordination.
• Ability to sort and to create a chronological sequence
• Ability to produce neatness in the final product

1. Complete application
2. Print and sign the application (applications will not be accepted without signature)
3. Return signed application:

   By Mail	Office of Volunteer Services Milwaukee Public Library 814 W. Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53233
   In Person	To a librarian at any Milwaukee Public Library
   By Fax	(414) 286-3831
   By Email	LibraryHumanResourcesDepartment@milwaukee.gov (signed applications should be in pdf format)

4. Your completed application will be reviewed, and if there are any possible matches with currently available volunteer opportunities, we will contact you.  You may also be asked to participate in an in-person interview.