Our volunteers play a vital role in helping us provide quality library services to South Carolina citizens who have difficulty using standard printed materials due to qualifying visual or physical conditions.
Volunteer opportunities are designed to match an individual’s skills, interests, and schedule. Volunteers develop their own schedules, based on the library's operating hours, for weekly or monthly commitments, or for one-time projects. Most work is done on-site at the library.
Available Volunteer Positions
Recording & Reviewing
Narrators record books and magazines about South Carolina and by South Carolina authors. Titles are chosen by library staff. Applicants must pass an audition before being added as a narrator. Good vocal skills, a pleasant voice, and an acceptable reading style are required. Reading material is provided ahead of time allowing the narrator to prepare. Recordings are done on site in the library’s sound-proof recording booth.
Monitors operate the recording equipment and software as the narrator reads the material. Training is provided in the use of recording equipment and software. The monitor maintains quality control during recording sessions and has the narrator make corrections when mistakes are made.
Reviewers make the final edits to recording projects to remove extraneous noises and to find any other mistakes that were missed during the recording session. Training is provided in the use of specialized recording software. Good hearing and computer skills are necessary.
Community Outreach
Talking Book Services exhibits at many events and conferences informing the public about this specialized library service. Volunteers assist staff at major events that target older adults, individuals with qualifying disabilities, or professionals who serve those populations.
Book Collection Maintenance
Volunteers assist in removing books from our collection. Books are removed from the shelves, withdrawn from the computer system using a barcode scanner, and then boxed up for disposal.
Book cartridges are inspected every day before shipment to patrons. This task involves opening book containers, making sure the title on the book and the container match, and checking the condition of the book. More than 17,000 books are inspected each month and volunteers are always needed. Volunteers with low vision or those who read braille are trained to inspect books.