Friends of the Oakland Public Library

I picked up an application in person and discussed my physical limitation with them (I'm disabled). First woman was really helpful. I had very positive email exchanges with two women, one of which said she would start training me for the bookstore, but could I bring in an application because the online application wouldn't upload properly. When I dropped by the library to pick one up with my African American boyfriend, an employee of the bookstore came out and told me I had to be a paid member to volunteer, took the application out of my hand and told me to look elsewhere in the library to volunteer. As a physically disabled person, I had looked careful over the last few months at what would be a good fit. I definitely felt unwelcome and walked away with my boyfriend confused. The woman had talked about being forced to pay to work there as "protection." He literally asked, "Do you think they think you'll steal because you have a black boyfriend?"

I have been volunteering with FOPL for almost a year and I couldn't be happier with my experience. Bookmark bookstore is a great environment to work in and the people are very nice.