Become a Library Tutor. Volunteer now! - The Fairview Branch seeks volunteer tutors to assist children in grades 1 – 5 with reading and homework. Most of the children do not have English as their first language and are performing below grade level.  Tutors are assigned a student and meet at the Fairview Branch library for one hour a week.  Volunteers may select a day and time best suited to their schedule (Monday – Thursday 3:30p.m.-6p.m. and Saturday from 10:30a.m. – 12p.m.) Please Note: Volunteers age 18 and over are required to be fingerprinted as part of a background check before they can work with children. For more information, contact Fairview Children's Librarian, Sylvia Anderle at (310) 450-0443 or Sylvia.Anderle@smgov.net.

Shut-In Service - Volunteers, who are interested in books and people, can directly aid Santa Monica's homebound residents. Volunteers regularly select and deliver library materials several hours every two weeks. Visits may vary from a few minutes to thirty minutes or more and are eagerly anticipated by our homebound patrons. For more information, call (310) 458-8646 or email us at: shut.in@smgov.net.

Friends of the Santa Monica Public Library - The Friends of SMPL is a dynamic organization supporting the Library through fundraising and volunteer activities. Its purpose is to increase public interest in the Library by focusing attention on the Library’s facilities, services and needs; to encourage gifts, endowments and bequests for the enrichment of the Library’s collections; and in other ways to contribute to the cultural life of Santa Monica. For information or to volunteer, call (310) 458-8608.

Book Discussion Group Leader - Get involved in Santa Monica Citywide Reads by volunteering to become a discussion group leader. The Library will train you, and you'll have an opportunity to lead book discussions on the featured book for the public at libraries, bookstores and coffeehouses. Sign up here for advance notification of discussion groups and other programs and events. For more information, visit the Citywide Reads Web site; or call the Library at (310) 458-8600.

Library Docents - This exciting new volunteer opportunity was created to introduce the community to all of the unique features of the new Main Library.  Volunteers in this program are trained to lead tours of the library.  Successful completion of an orientation and five training sessions are required for this program.  Time commitment is four hours a month for a minimum of one year. The initial response to this position was so positive that we've instituted a waiting list.  If you’re interested in adding your name to this list of volunteers, fill out this online form or call us at (310) 458-8646 or email us at SMPL.Volunteers@smgov.net.

Teen Volunteers- Please visit the SMPL Teens website to find out more about volunteer opportunites for teens.