Volunteer positions include:

Sorting Room
If you love books, you will be in seventh heaven volunteering in the sorting room. If you support Friends, a big reason for its success will be because you volunteer in the sorting room. If you love Cheetos (or any other snack) and coffee breaks, and if you enjoy the company of like-minded folks, we would love for you to join us in the sorting room. Sorters are responsible for organizing, categorizing, and separating donated books for sale on Friends’ Amazon site, in Friends’ Second Editions bookstore, and at Friends’ semi-annual book sales. Sorters stay active by bending, handling lots of books, lifting boxes of books (at least 25 lbs.), and walking, walking, walking. If you have allergies, know that sorting room volunteers must handle donated books that we suspect have been in attics, basements, and unknown places. We are looking for volunteers with a broad knowledge of books who want to stick around for a long time. Also, our on-the-job training is free. If this sounds labor intensive and dusty, just know you couldn’t be volunteering your time with a better group of Friends!

Second Editions Bookstore
Central Library; sales associate at Second Editions, assist customers finding books, shelve and arrange books, operate cash register, 3-4 hours per week desired

 FOL Office Assistant

Location: Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
Time Commitment: 2–3 hours per week
Some evening meetings and events

Are you organized, dependable, and quietly powerful behind the scenes? This role keeps Friends of the Library running smoothly.

As the FOL Office Assistant, you’ll work directly with the Treasurer and bookstore team to support the operations that fuel literacy programs, library events, and fundraising efforts across Memphis.

What You’ll Do

• Enter and manage data accurately and consistently
• Support donor systems like Donorbox
• Assist with email communications in Mailchimp
• Help with meeting preparation and event operations
• Print materials and maintain basic office systems
• Support bookstore and financial reporting tasks

Who Thrives Here

• Detail-oriented and comfortable with technology
• Trustworthy with confidential information
• Able to work independently and follow through
• Passionate about literacy and community impact

This is a small time commitment with a big impact. If you love libraries and want to strengthen the backbone of an organization that supports them, this role is for you.

Branch Representative & Board Member

Branches Needing Representation:

• East Shelby
• Whitehaven

Time Commitment: Monthly Executive Board Meeting + Branch Engagement
Some evening meetings and events

If you care deeply about your neighborhood library and believe it deserves strong advocacy and funding, this is leadership with purpose.

Branch Representatives serve as the connection between their local branch and the Friends of the Library Executive Board. You are both a builder and a voice.

What You’ll Do

• Grow and energize your branch’s Friends presence
• Attend monthly Executive Board meetings
• Report back key updates to your branch
• Help raise funds to support library programming
• Represent Friends at branch events
• Strengthen community relationships

Who Thrives Here

• Natural connectors and community leaders
• People comfortable speaking in meetings
• Those who believe libraries are essential public spaces
• Individuals willing to take ownership and follow through

This is a governance-level volunteer role. You are helping shape the future of library support in Memphis. If you’ve been looking for a way to make a real difference, this is it.

Secretary & Assistant to the President

Time Commitment: Monthly Board Meeting + Preparation Time
Some evening meetings and events

This is a trusted leadership role at the heart of the organization.

The Secretary & Assistant to the President ensures clarity, organization, and forward momentum for the Board. You help keep leadership aligned and informed.

What You’ll Do

• Record and distribute accurate meeting minutes
• Support board orientation for new members
• Update and maintain website content
• Assist with branch training coordination
• Organize meetings and maintain board records
• Provide direct administrative support to the President

Who Thrives Here

• Highly organized and responsive
• Strong writer and communicator
• Comfortable managing multiple moving parts
• Able to anticipate needs and take initiative

If you enjoy structure, leadership support, and helping an organization operate at a high level, this role offers meaningful influence