To the Parent/Guardian:

Thank you! Your teen is applying to be a Volunteer with the Clayton County Library System.

The Clayton County Library encourages the teamwork of staff and volunteers so that it can offer patrons the best service possible. Library volunteers enhance, rather than replace, the work of Clayton County Library staff, enriching the Library's programs and services. Volunteer opportunities offer citizens a way to contribute to the community, fulfill personal goals, achieve a sense of satisfaction, and learn more about the Library.

Volunteers also aid the Library in making the best use of its fiscal resources and in contributing to sound working relationships with other community groups and organizations.

The purpose of the Clayton County Library Volunteer Policy is to clearly communicate the role and expectations of library volunteers and the library procedure for accepting, selecting, training and supervising volunteers.

We will arrange a schedule to best suit you and the needs of the library. If your child's volunteer schedule needs to be adjusted, please contact the teen volunteer supervisor, so that we can try to revise the schedule, if possible. All teens must attend an orientation before they can begin volunteering at the library.

As the teen's parent/guardian, you are required to attend the orientation with your teen.

Volunteer information is kept for 3 years after the teen's last recorded volunteer day and a letter recording his/her volunteer service, a certificate of achievement, and/or recommendation letter can be requested at any time between their first month of volunteering and 3 years from their last volunteer month.

As the parent/guardian of the Teen Volunteer, I agree to the following:

1. I verify the accuracy and completeness of the information on my child's application.

2. I realize that the library will provide supervision for my child only during his/her scheduled volunteer work hours.

3. I respect the library's right to assign job tasks for my child and I will not interfere in the delegation of specific tasks.

4. I understand that volunteers perform their duties at their own risk, and that Clayton County provides no insurance coverage in case of injury while performing assigned

5. I will make every effort to be available by phone during my child's scheduled volunteer hours. In the event of an emergency, if I cannot be reached, staff will contact the emergency number given on the application.

6. I agree to provide transportation to and from the library to meet my child's volunteer understand that if my child is scheduled to volunteer at the time the library closes, he/she will need to be picked up fifteen minutes before closing time.

7. I have received a copy of the library's hours of operation.

Your child has applied to volunteer with the Clayton County Library System.

Effective July 1, 2012, Clayton County Library System, like all libraries in Georgia, is mandated by the State of Georgia to report all incidences of suspected child abuse (Mandated Reporter Law - - O.C.G.A. 19-7-5 (2016)).

To ensure that Clayton County Library System remains in compliance with this mandate your child will be required, as part of the volunteer process, to attend a training session where they will be notified of their responsibilities under this law along with the consequences should they fail to report suspected incidents of child abuse. They will also receive, during this session, training on how to identify and recognize signs of child abuse.

Should you decide that you do not wish for your child to participate in this required training, please note that your child will not be able to volunteer with the Clayton County Library System.

Your signature below will serve as your acknowledgement and consent for your child to participate in this training as part of the process of becoming a Clayton County Library volunteer.

What is mandatory reporting?

Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 19-7-5) effective July 1, 2012: Expanded "child service organization personnel" to include: "Persons employed by or volunteering at a business or an organization, whether public, private, for profit, not for profit, or voluntary, that provides care, treatment, education, training, supervision, coaching, counseling, recreational programs, or shelter to children."

Clayton County Library System provides educational and recreational programming to children (any person under 18 years of age), and are also community gathering places. Therefore, any person employed by the library or volunteering with the library has a legal responsibility to report suspected child abuse.

What is the role of a mandatory reporter?

Mandatory reporters are responsible for reporting all reasonable suspicions of physical abuse, sexual abuse, commercial sexual exploitation, neglect, and child endangerment while they are on the job (including outreach CCLS employees and volunteers are responsible for being able to identify physical and behavioral indicators of such maltreatment.

The role of a mandatory reporter is to make a report to the proper authority. The role of a mandatory reporter is not to make any investigations; this should be strictly left to child protection professionals.

A report must be made within 24 hours of the instance of suspected abuse; knowingly failing to do so can result in a misdemeanor. Immunity from civil or criminal liability is granted if the report of suspected abuse is made in good faith; meaning if a report is unfounded, staff will not be held liable.

Legally recognized forms of child maltreatment:

Physical abuse

Sexual abuse

Neglect

Emotional maltreatment

Endangering a child

The following are legal:

• Spanking or corporal punishment is rarely considering abusive, unless it leaves marks
• A dirty or messy home is only considered a sign of neglect when it is hazardous to its inhabitants.
• Surrendering a child for adoption or state care is not neglect.

1. Volunteers will be assigned a variety of tasks, and given detailed instructions to be performed under direct supervision until the training period is over. The volunteer is expected to be able to work independently.

2. Volunteers may be scheduled up to five (5) hours per week. It may not be possible to fulfill all community service hours at the library.

3. Volunteers must be courteous, responsible, and follow the library policies. Treat all library staff, patrons and fellow volunteers with respect. Represent the library and present a positive image at all times.

4. Please be mindful of your conversations while you are volunteering, as you will be working in the Children's Department. Inappropriate language and subject matter will result in immediate dismissal.

5. Please refrain from socializing with friends during your volunteer time. We expect your full attention to be on your assigned tasks.

6. Food and drinks will not be permitted near computers or technology. A short snack break will be allowed at the discretion of the librarian.

7. Volunteers are allowed to use personal phones, but it shouldn't distract from the task at hand. Loud/speaker conversations over the phone are not permitted in the library. If you need to call for a ride, ask staff to use the landline phone located on the desk.

8. If you are unable to report for volunteer service during scheduled time you must call or email the teen volunteer supervisor at your library.

9. Teens may not volunteer unless a Parent/Guardian Agreement form is on file.

10. Volunteers must sign in, sign out and log volunteer hours in the Volunteer Notebook.

11. Schedule your volunteer hours with your library staff.

12. Wear a volunteer badge (where available) and dress appropriately. If it is inappropriate for school, it is inappropriate for the library.

13. Understand that library staff reserves the right to decline the services of any teen volunteer who does not perform according to the library's expectations.

I certify that I have read the Clayton County Library System's Teen Voluteer Rules and Guidelines, and I agree to comply with all of them. I understand that noncompliance with any of these rules and guidelines will result in 1) verbal correction, 2) written action plan, 3) changes in schedules and assignments, or 4) termination.

I. Volunteer Information

II. Volunteer Agreement

• I desire to volunteer my services to the Clayton County Library System (the Library) and Clayton County, Georgia, and understand that my volunteer activities may include, but are not limited to: shelving books, assisting with programs, assisting patrons, creating displays, data entry, cleaning and straightening library shelves and public areas, and other tasks as assigned.
• I understand that my volunteer assignment is at the discretion of the Library, and may be changed as needed.

III. Waiver and Release of Liability:

• I understand that participation in volunteer activities at the Library may involve certain risks, including but not limited to, physical exertion, interaction with the public, and potential exposure to illness or injury.
• I hereby voluntarily assume all risks associated with my participation in volunteer activities at the Library, whether known or unknown to me.
• I hereby release and forever discharge the Library, its officers, employees, agents, volunteers, Clayton County Board of Commissioners, and Clayton County, Georgia (collectively, the "Released Parties") from any and all claims, demands, actions, causes of action, liabilities, losses, damages, costs, and expenses (including attorney's fees) of any kind or nature whatsoever, which I now have or may hereafter have against the Released Parties, arising out of or in any way related to my participation in volunteer activities at the Library, including but not limited to any claims based on negligence or breach of contract.

IV. Medical Information and Release:

• I represent that I am physically fit and able to perform the volunteer activities I have
• This organization is committed to providing equal access to all individuals, including those with disabilities, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA Individuals who believe their disability prevents them from meeting a specific requirement may request a waiver or medical accommodation upon providing appropriate documentation. Waivers will be considered on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the nature of the disability and whether providing an accommodation would create an undue hardship. 
• In the event of an accident or medical emergency, I authorize the Library to obtain medical treatment for me at my expense and to release my medical information to medical personnel.

V. Agreement to Policies

• I acknowledge that I have read and voluntarily agree to abide by the Library's volunteer policies and procedures, including any safety guidelines.

VI. Acknowledge and Signature

I have carefully read this Waiver and Release of Liability and understand its contents. I am signing this waiver voluntarily and without any inducement or promise.