Volunteers are an essential part of the work we do at Saint Paul Public Library. They give their time, energy, and skills in ways that make a meaningful difference. Through their volunteer work, they become ambassadors for libraries and help share library love throughout the community.
Our volunteers are reading mentors, homework tutors, tech assistants, teen mentors, garden helpers, and so much more. Each person brings unique talents and experiences that help us connect with the diverse communities we serve. Some might volunteer for a single event while others volunteer weekly—every contribution matters. Volunteers come from all ages, backgrounds, and communities, and together they help create an environment to welcome all people to connect, learn participate, and grow.
To celebrate the important work that volunteers do, we are highlighting a few who have made a difference at SPPL. Meet just a few of our superstar volunteers!
Polly Roach
I volunteer with Saint Paul Public Library’s Reading Together Program at Rondo Community Library. I get to spend time with students one-on-one exploring books, playing educational games (BananaGrams counts, right?) and, of course, Reading Together.
I’ve been a Reading Together volunteer for the past four years. I started volunteering at Saint Paul libraries because the opportunity to combine my long-time involvement in youth mentoring with my love of reading was irresistible. The chance to explore books — old favorites to new-to-me genres — has reawakened my interest in youth literature and even got me reading graphic novels for elementary schoolers as I’ve searched out options for students I work with.
I continue to volunteer with Reading Together not just for the literary gems, but for the relationships I get to build with students. Seeing books, and the world, through their eyes, has added immensely to my life. I’ve been fortunate to work with a couple of students two years in a row — watching their skills and confidence grow over that time is so rewarding.
A favorite memory for me is from last year. As I read with a second-grade student, he stopped our dramatic recitation of a Captain Underpants book to announce, “That’s onomatopoeia!” He had just learned about it at school that day and was excited to find many, many examples of it in our book (Captain Underpants is an excellent source for many variations if you want to explore the concept.) Aha moments like this keep me coming back as a Reading Together volunteer.
Hiroko Zeleke
I started volunteering at Saint Paul Public Library (SPPL) as a Homework Center volunteer at Rice Street in spring 2024. This past summer, I again volunteered by helping out with FunLab at Rice Street weekly. I have also walked in a few parades with the Mobile Library and helped with specific things like loading the vehicle with Read Brave books, stickering journals, and other event-based opportunities.
I started volunteering at SPPL when I was a high school senior because at the time, I needed service hours. I figured, I love libraries, so why not volunteer? I've met a few volunteers who started the same way I did. Then we realized that volunteering at SPPL is very fun and rewarding!
There are so many good memories I’ve made while volunteering. A very recent one was from July when I volunteered at the grand reopening of the Hamline Midway Library. I grew up going to the library and then in 10th grade had been involved with the Transforming Libraries project as a teen ambassador. I also now am a student at Hamline University. To see so many people show up for a library they had been waiting on, a library I had been waiting on, was very special. I saw so many familiar faces, some college peers, other people I hadn't seen for years. It was an emotional day that I won't forget.
Sharee Marcus and Enzo
I volunteer at Saint Paul Public Library as a Paw Pals volunteer with my black lab Enzo. He went through lots of training through Can Do Canines and he didn't make it in the Assistance Dog program. I was on a waitlist to be informed if an opportunity arose to have a dog as a pet if that situation came to be. It did!
After a while, I wanted Enzo to have opportunities to be with a program in some capacity that he enjoys. He went through the Therapy Dogs International program and passed with flying colors. Enzo loves kids so much when we walk through our local park daily. I decided to have him become part of Paw Pals. You can find us at Saint Anthony Park and Merriam Park libraries. He loves it so much that we continue to volunteer as long as we are able.
Since we have volunteers through Paw Pals for the past five years, I love to see repeat readers and see how they have both improved as readers as well as the comfort of being around dogs. A win-win experience!
Saint Paul Public Library is grateful for the support of our community and our network of talented volunteers as they are an integral part of the work we do. Whether they are sharing their talents, giving their time, or lending a hand during our busiest programs, volunteers make a difference.
To our volunteers, thank you for showing up when it matters most.
If you feel inspired to get involved, we always welcome new volunteers to join us. Learn more about how to become a volunteer at sppl.org/volunteer.
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