Volunteering

Dear future volunteer,

We encourage anyone interested in volunteering to print and complete our Volunteer Application and Volunteer Opportunities call us at (408) 808-2613, or come in and visit us. Books Aloud is located in the lower level of Dr. Martin Luther King Library, an eight story new building at San Fernando and 4th Street, downtown San Jose, California.

The Books Aloud mission of recording books on cassette tape and circulating them free of charge to individuals who are visually, physically, or learning disabled would not be possible without volunteers. Volunteers help open windows to the world through the magic of books for those who "read by listening." Tasks for which volunteers are needed include but not limited to:

Circulation 
Select tape-recorded books for patrons 
Check-out on circulation computer 
Package the tapes for shipping  
 
Reserves 
Record patron's reserve requests on computer 
Label and shelve listener requests 

Check-in
Open mail bags
Check-in on the computer
Rewind tapes and prepare for shelving 
 
Bulk mail
Fold, staple, and label newsletters, flyers, etc.
  
Filing 
Maintain master tape files 
Maintain listener files 
Maintain history files  
 
Repairs 
Replace damaged tapes 
Mend and clean albums and mailing envelopes 
 
Overdues
Track and monitor return of all tapes
Contact patrons of overdue tapes  
 
Office Support
Type master cards for new titles
Process all new titles and albums
Duplicate and label new tapes
Maintain supply of office forms
Prepare mailing envelopes
 
Readers 
Record books onto tape. Readers are
auditioned and, if the audition if
passed, scheduled for 1 hour per week.