Volunteering is a fun and easy way to be a part of the community at San Francisco Center for the Book. It is a great way to meet artists, crafters, book arts enthusiasts and collectors, and other creative people like yourself. As a non-profit organization, San Francisco Center for the Book relies on volunteers to bring their experiences, talents and skills, to help with a wide range of volunteer activities in the studios and at our many events. We are looking forward to working with you. Join us as a volunteer!
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer opportunities for individuals and groups are posted to this page and are updated periodically, please return to this page again and again to find out about additional volunteer opportunities that will be posted throughout the year.
Contact us at volunteer@sfcb.org if you are interested in any of these volunteer opportunities:
Date :: Wednesday, January 15, 2020
Event :: "Palm Leaf Stories" with curators Mary Austin and Betsy Davids
Number of Volunteers: 4
Volunteer Shift: 5:30-8:30pm
Volunteer Job Description: Join Turning Over An Old Leaf co-curators Mary Austin and Betsy Davids for an evening of storytelling! Volunteers will help with set-up, greet guests, and clean up while listening to all the stories the curators have to tell.
Event :: "Palm Leaf Stories" with curators Mary Austin and Betsy Davids
Number of Volunteers: 4
Volunteer Shift: 5:30-8:30pm
Volunteer Job Description: Join Turning Over An Old Leaf co-curators Mary Austin and Betsy Davids for an evening of storytelling! Volunteers will help with set-up, greet guests, and clean up while listening to all the stories the curators have to tell.
Date :: Thursday, January 30, 2020
Event :: SFCB Devils Night
Number of Volunteers: 15
Volunteer Shift: 5-8pm
Volunteer Job Description: Help with various studio clean up tasks.
Event :: SFCB Devils Night
Number of Volunteers: 15
Volunteer Shift: 5-8pm
Volunteer Job Description: Help with various studio clean up tasks.
A bit about the SFCB Devils: To make any print studio or bindery run well, it takes the work of many hands. In a bygone era, those who assisted in a print shop were called “Printers’ Devils.” The devils did the work of mixing ink, covering ink balls, distributing type, and whatever else the shop needed. We here at the Center want our studios to be the best they can be for our instructors, our students, our renters: for our community. So, we are instituting Devils Night: one evening a month (the last Thursday to be precise), we will meet up in either the print studio or the bindery and set something up, clean out a corner, or tune up a machine. We welcome any and all with willing hands to pitch in and help us make the studio better for everyone. Come on by, and join in the devilry!
Date :: Friday, February 7, 2020
Event :: (retro)(intro)Spection Exhibition Opening
Number of Volunteers: 6
Volunteer Shift: 5-8:30pm
Volunteer Job Description: Volunteers will assist with event set-up, refreshments, guest greeting, and clean-up.
Event :: (retro)(intro)Spection Exhibition Opening
Number of Volunteers: 6
Volunteer Shift: 5-8:30pm
Volunteer Job Description: Volunteers will assist with event set-up, refreshments, guest greeting, and clean-up.
Date :: Thursday, February 13, 2020
Event :: glean, gather, group :: Jody Alexander and the Santa Cruz SCRAP Residency
Number of Volunteers: 3
Volunteer Shift: 5:30-8:30pm
Volunteer Job Description: Jody will show images from her experience and discuss the challenges and benefits of working in such an environment. A portion of the work created in this residency will also be present and on view. Volunteers will help with set-up, guest greeting, refreshments, and clean up while; volunteers will be able to listen to the artist talk as well.
Event :: glean, gather, group :: Jody Alexander and the Santa Cruz SCRAP Residency
Number of Volunteers: 3
Volunteer Shift: 5:30-8:30pm
Volunteer Job Description: Jody will show images from her experience and discuss the challenges and benefits of working in such an environment. A portion of the work created in this residency will also be present and on view. Volunteers will help with set-up, guest greeting, refreshments, and clean up while; volunteers will be able to listen to the artist talk as well.
Date :: Thursday, February 27, 2020
Event :: SFCB Devils Night
Number of Volunteers: 15
Volunteer Shift: 5-8pm
Volunteer Job Description: Help with various studio clean up tasks.
Event :: SFCB Devils Night
Number of Volunteers: 15
Volunteer Shift: 5-8pm
Volunteer Job Description: Help with various studio clean up tasks.
A bit about the SFCB Devils: To make any print studio or bindery run well, it takes the work of many hands. In a bygone era, those who assisted in a print shop were called “Printers’ Devils.” The devils did the work of mixing ink, covering ink balls, distributing type, and whatever else the shop needed. We here at the Center want our studios to be the best they can be for our instructors, our students, our renters: for our community. So, we are instituting Devils Night: one evening a month (the last Thursday to be precise), we will meet up in either the print studio or the bindery and set something up, clean out a corner, or tune up a machine. We welcome any and all with willing hands to pitch in and help us make the studio better for everyone. Come on by, and join in the devilry!
Date :: Wednesday, March 25, 2020
Event :: (retro)(intro)spection: Exhibiting Artists in Conversation with Curators Maureen Forys and Jennie Hinchcliff
Number of Volunteers: 4
Volunteer Shift: 5:30-8:30pm
Volunteer Job Description: Join (retro)(intro)spection artists as they discuss their work with curators Maureen Forys and Jennie Hinchcliff. Volunteers will help with set-up, guest greeting, light refreshments, and clean up while; volunteers will be able to listen to the artist talk as well.
Event :: (retro)(intro)spection: Exhibiting Artists in Conversation with Curators Maureen Forys and Jennie Hinchcliff
Number of Volunteers: 4
Volunteer Shift: 5:30-8:30pm
Volunteer Job Description: Join (retro)(intro)spection artists as they discuss their work with curators Maureen Forys and Jennie Hinchcliff. Volunteers will help with set-up, guest greeting, light refreshments, and clean up while; volunteers will be able to listen to the artist talk as well.
Date :: Thursday, March 26, 2020
Event :: SFCB Devils Night
Number of Volunteers: 15
Volunteer Shift: 5-8pm
Volunteer Job Description: Help with various studio clean up tasks.
Event :: SFCB Devils Night
Number of Volunteers: 15
Volunteer Shift: 5-8pm
Volunteer Job Description: Help with various studio clean up tasks.
A bit about the SFCB Devils: To make any print studio or bindery run well, it takes the work of many hands. In a bygone era, those who assisted in a print shop were called “Printers’ Devils.” The devils did the work of mixing ink, covering ink balls, distributing type, and whatever else the shop needed. We here at the Center want our studios to be the best they can be for our instructors, our students, our renters: for our community. So, we are instituting Devils Night: one evening a month (the last Thursday to be precise), we will meet up in either the print studio or the bindery and set something up, clean out a corner, or tune up a machine. We welcome any and all with willing hands to pitch in and help us make the studio better for everyone. Come on by, and join in the devilry!
Date :: Friday, March 27, 2020
Event :: Typewriter Jam
Number of Volunteers: 3
Volunteer Shift: 5:30-8:30pm
Volunteer Job Description: Pretty much just what it sounds like, the Typewriter Jam is a recurring event where typewriter enthusiast of all levels gather to play and admire. Volunteers will assist with set-up, greet guests, and clean up for this always fun event.
Event :: Typewriter Jam
Number of Volunteers: 3
Volunteer Shift: 5:30-8:30pm
Volunteer Job Description: Pretty much just what it sounds like, the Typewriter Jam is a recurring event where typewriter enthusiast of all levels gather to play and admire. Volunteers will assist with set-up, greet guests, and clean up for this always fun event.
Date :: Thursday, April 16, 2020
Event :: The POST-O-SCOPE and 10 Years of the Keep Writing Project :: Hope Amico of Gutwrench Press
Number of Volunteers: 3
Volunteer Shift: 5:30-8:30pm
Volunteer Job Description: Join us for a talk about the project with plenty of examples and opportunities to participate. Volunteers will help with set-up, greet guests, light refreshment preparation, and clean up for this always fun event.
Event :: The POST-O-SCOPE and 10 Years of the Keep Writing Project :: Hope Amico of Gutwrench Press
Number of Volunteers: 3
Volunteer Shift: 5:30-8:30pm
Volunteer Job Description: Join us for a talk about the project with plenty of examples and opportunities to participate. Volunteers will help with set-up, greet guests, light refreshment preparation, and clean up for this always fun event.
Date :: Friday, April 17, 2020
Event :: BOOKWORKS
Number of Volunteers: 10
Volunteer Shift: Various shifts between 1 and 9pm
Volunteer Job Description: Our second ever BOOKWORKS event! This event is intended to get folks introduced to and interested in the world of book arts and book collecting. Volunteers will assist with event set up, vendor check-in, refreshments, guest greeting, and clean up. There will also be time to browse the books and chat with artists when the event is underway.
Event :: BOOKWORKS
Number of Volunteers: 10
Volunteer Shift: Various shifts between 1 and 9pm
Volunteer Job Description: Our second ever BOOKWORKS event! This event is intended to get folks introduced to and interested in the world of book arts and book collecting. Volunteers will assist with event set up, vendor check-in, refreshments, guest greeting, and clean up. There will also be time to browse the books and chat with artists when the event is underway.
Date :: Wednesday, April 22, 2020
Event :: Book Talk with visiting instructor Aimee Lee
Number of Volunteers: 4
Volunteer Shift: 5:30-8:30pm
Volunteer Job Description: Join us for a talk and show & tell with visiting instructor and paper artist Aimee Lee. Volunteers will assist with set up, refreshments, guest greeting, and clean up and will be able to enjoy the talk while lending a hand.
Event :: Book Talk with visiting instructor Aimee Lee
Number of Volunteers: 4
Volunteer Shift: 5:30-8:30pm
Volunteer Job Description: Join us for a talk and show & tell with visiting instructor and paper artist Aimee Lee. Volunteers will assist with set up, refreshments, guest greeting, and clean up and will be able to enjoy the talk while lending a hand.
Date :: Thursday, April 30, 2020
Event :: SFCB Devils Night
Number of Volunteers: 15
Volunteer Shift: 5-8pm
Volunteer Job Description: Help with various studio clean up tasks.
Event :: SFCB Devils Night
Number of Volunteers: 15
Volunteer Shift: 5-8pm
Volunteer Job Description: Help with various studio clean up tasks.
A bit about the SFCB Devils: To make any print studio or bindery run well, it takes the work of many hands. In a bygone era, those who assisted in a print shop were called “Printers’ Devils.” The devils did the work of mixing ink, covering ink balls, distributing type, and whatever else the shop needed. We here at the Center want our studios to be the best they can be for our instructors, our students, our renters: for our community. So, we are instituting Devils Night: one evening a month (the last Thursday to be precise), we will meet up in either the print studio or the bindery and set something up, clean out a corner, or tune up a machine. We welcome any and all with willing hands to pitch in and help us make the studio better for everyone. Come on by, and join in the devilry!
Date :: Friday, May 1, 2020
Event :: Mills College MFA Exhibition Opening
Number of Volunteers: 6
Volunteer Shift: 5-8:30pm
Volunteer Job Description: An exhibition opening for graduation MFA students from Mills College. Volunteers will help with event set up, refreshments, guest greeting, and clean up. There will also be time to browse the books and chat with artists when the event is underway.
Event :: Mills College MFA Exhibition Opening
Number of Volunteers: 6
Volunteer Shift: 5-8:30pm
Volunteer Job Description: An exhibition opening for graduation MFA students from Mills College. Volunteers will help with event set up, refreshments, guest greeting, and clean up. There will also be time to browse the books and chat with artists when the event is underway.
Date :: Monday, May 4, 2020
Event :: Art Book Show & Tell
Number of Volunteers: 3
Volunteer Shift: 5:30-8:30pm
Volunteer Job Description: A community sharing night for lovers of art books and artists' books. Volunteer will help us set-up, greet guests, keep things tidy, and clean up while viewing bookish items from community members.
Event :: Art Book Show & Tell
Number of Volunteers: 3
Volunteer Shift: 5:30-8:30pm
Volunteer Job Description: A community sharing night for lovers of art books and artists' books. Volunteer will help us set-up, greet guests, keep things tidy, and clean up while viewing bookish items from community members.
Date :: Thursday, May 28, 2020
Event :: SFCB Devils Night
Number of Volunteers: 15
Volunteer Shift: 5-8pm
Volunteer Job Description: Help with various studio clean up tasks.
Event :: SFCB Devils Night
Number of Volunteers: 15
Volunteer Shift: 5-8pm
Volunteer Job Description: Help with various studio clean up tasks.
A bit about the SFCB Devils: To make any print studio or bindery run well, it takes the work of many hands. In a bygone era, those who assisted in a print shop were called “Printers’ Devils.” The devils did the work of mixing ink, covering ink balls, distributing type, and whatever else the shop needed. We here at the Center want our studios to be the best they can be for our instructors, our students, our renters: for our community. So, we are instituting Devils Night: one evening a month (the last Thursday to be precise), we will meet up in either the print studio or the bindery and set something up, clean out a corner, or tune up a machine. We welcome any and all with willing hands to pitch in and help us make the studio better for everyone. Come on by, and join in the devilry!
Date :: Friday, June 12, 2020
Event :: Poetry is Not a Luxury Exhibition Opening
Number of Volunteers: 6
Volunteer Shift: 5-8:30pm
Volunteer Job Description: An exhibition opening for a traveling poety exhibition coming from New York Center for the Book. Volunteers will help with event set up, refreshments, guest greeting, and clean up.
Event :: Poetry is Not a Luxury Exhibition Opening
Number of Volunteers: 6
Volunteer Shift: 5-8:30pm
Volunteer Job Description: An exhibition opening for a traveling poety exhibition coming from New York Center for the Book. Volunteers will help with event set up, refreshments, guest greeting, and clean up.
Date :: Friday, June 19, 2020
Event :: Small Plates Book Release
Number of Volunteers: 6
Volunteer Shift: 5-8:30pm
Volunteer Job Description: Join us as we celebrate the 2020 Small Plates book artists. Volunteers will help with event set up, refreshments, guest greeting, sales, and clean up.
Event :: Small Plates Book Release
Number of Volunteers: 6
Volunteer Shift: 5-8:30pm
Volunteer Job Description: Join us as we celebrate the 2020 Small Plates book artists. Volunteers will help with event set up, refreshments, guest greeting, sales, and clean up.
Date :: Thursday, June 25, 2020
Event :: SFCB Devils Night
Number of Volunteers: 15
Volunteer Shift: 5-8pm
Volunteer Job Description: Help with various studio clean up tasks.
Event :: SFCB Devils Night
Number of Volunteers: 15
Volunteer Shift: 5-8pm
Volunteer Job Description: Help with various studio clean up tasks.
A bit about the SFCB Devils: To make any print studio or bindery run well, it takes the work of many hands. In a bygone era, those who assisted in a print shop were called “Printers’ Devils.” The devils did the work of mixing ink, covering ink balls, distributing type, and whatever else the shop needed. We here at the Center want our studios to be the best they can be for our instructors, our students, our renters: for our community. So, we are instituting Devils Night: one evening a month (the last Thursday to be precise), we will meet up in either the print studio or the bindery and set something up, clean out a corner, or tune up a machine. We welcome any and all with willing hands to pitch in and help us make the studio better for everyone. Come on by, and join in the devilry!
Date :: Thursday, July 30, 2020
Event :: SFCB Devils Night
Number of Volunteers: 15
Volunteer Shift: 5-8pm
Volunteer Job Description: Help with various studio clean up tasks.
Event :: SFCB Devils Night
Number of Volunteers: 15
Volunteer Shift: 5-8pm
Volunteer Job Description: Help with various studio clean up tasks.
A bit about the SFCB Devils: To make any print studio or bindery run well, it takes the work of many hands. In a bygone era, those who assisted in a print shop were called “Printers’ Devils.” The devils did the work of mixing ink, covering ink balls, distributing type, and whatever else the shop needed. We here at the Center want our studios to be the best they can be for our instructors, our students, our renters: for our community. So, we are instituting Devils Night: one evening a month (the last Thursday to be precise), we will meet up in either the print studio or the bindery and set something up, clean out a corner, or tune up a machine. We welcome any and all with willing hands to pitch in and help us make the studio better for everyone. Come on by, and join in the devilry!
Date :: Friday, August 14, 2020
Event :: Book Talk with Dominic Riley & Michael Burke
Number of Volunteers: 3
Volunteer Shift: 5:30-8:30pm
Volunteer Job Description: Our annual lecture from everyone's favorite British bookbinders. Volunteers will help with event set up, refreshments, guest greeting, and clean up.
Event :: Book Talk with Dominic Riley & Michael Burke
Number of Volunteers: 3
Volunteer Shift: 5:30-8:30pm
Volunteer Job Description: Our annual lecture from everyone's favorite British bookbinders. Volunteers will help with event set up, refreshments, guest greeting, and clean up.
Date :: Thursday, August 27, 2020
Event :: SFCB Devils Night
Number of Volunteers: 15
Volunteer Shift: 5-8pm
Volunteer Job Description: Help with various studio clean up tasks.
Event :: SFCB Devils Night
Number of Volunteers: 15
Volunteer Shift: 5-8pm
Volunteer Job Description: Help with various studio clean up tasks.
A bit about the SFCB Devils: To make any print studio or bindery run well, it takes the work of many hands. In a bygone era, those who assisted in a print shop were called “Printers’ Devils.” The devils did the work of mixing ink, covering ink balls, distributing type, and whatever else the shop needed. We here at the Center want our studios to be the best they can be for our instructors, our students, our renters: for our community. So, we are instituting Devils Night: one evening a month (the last Thursday to be precise), we will meet up in either the print studio or the bindery and set something up, clean out a corner, or tune up a machine. We welcome any and all with willing hands to pitch in and help us make the studio better for everyone. Come on by, and join in the devilry!
Date :: Thursday, September 24, 2020
Event :: SFCB Devils Night
Number of Volunteers: 15
Volunteer Shift: 5-8pm
Volunteer Job Description: Help with various studio clean up tasks.
Event :: SFCB Devils Night
Number of Volunteers: 15
Volunteer Shift: 5-8pm
Volunteer Job Description: Help with various studio clean up tasks.
A bit about the SFCB Devils: To make any print studio or bindery run well, it takes the work of many hands. In a bygone era, those who assisted in a print shop were called “Printers’ Devils.” The devils did the work of mixing ink, covering ink balls, distributing type, and whatever else the shop needed. We here at the Center want our studios to be the best they can be for our instructors, our students, our renters: for our community. So, we are instituting Devils Night: one evening a month (the last Thursday to be precise), we will meet up in either the print studio or the bindery and set something up, clean out a corner, or tune up a machine. We welcome any and all with willing hands to pitch in and help us make the studio better for everyone. Come on by, and join in the devilry!
Date :: Sunday, September 27, 2020
Event :: ROADWORKS Steamroller Printing Festival
Number of Volunteers: 100
Volunteer Shift: Various shifts will be available between 6am and 7pm. A shift sign up survey will be available beginning in June, 2020.
Volunteer Job Description: This is our biggest event of the year and we need all hands on deck to make it happen! Assistance will be needed with many tasks and stations including event set-up, hands-on demonstrations, inking & printing, street ambassadors, crossing guards, gallery monitors, and more! Find out more about the event.
SFCB ROADWORKS Description: The San Francisco Center for the Book’s Annual Roadworks Steamroller Printing Festival is a day-long public printmaking and book arts extravaganza that includes free hands-on printmaking and book arts activities, demonstrations, 50 arts and crafts vendors, art gallery and studio tours, and more.
Date :: Thursday, October 29, 2020
Event :: SFCB Devils Night
Number of Volunteers: 15
Volunteer Shift: 5-8pm
Volunteer Job Description: Help with various studio clean up tasks.
Event :: SFCB Devils Night
Number of Volunteers: 15
Volunteer Shift: 5-8pm
Volunteer Job Description: Help with various studio clean up tasks.
A bit about the SFCB Devils: To make any print studio or bindery run well, it takes the work of many hands. In a bygone era, those who assisted in a print shop were called “Printers’ Devils.” The devils did the work of mixing ink, covering ink balls, distributing type, and whatever else the shop needed. We here at the Center want our studios to be the best they can be for our instructors, our students, our renters: for our community. So, we are instituting Devils Night: one evening a month (the last Thursday to be precise), we will meet up in either the print studio or the bindery and set something up, clean out a corner, or tune up a machine. We welcome any and all with willing hands to pitch in and help us make the studio better for everyone. Come on by, and join in the devilry!
Date :: Saturday, December 5, 2020 (event date and details subject to change)
Event :: Holiday Fair 2020 (event date and details subject to change)
Number of Volunteers: 15
Volunteer Shift: Various shifts between 7am and 7pm
Volunteer Job Description: Help us finalize set-up, prep refreshments, greet guests, keep things tidy, guard the Book Arts Petting Zoo, and clean up our annual holiday fair. Volunteers will have break during their shift to do personal gift shopping.
Event :: Holiday Fair 2020 (event date and details subject to change)
Number of Volunteers: 15
Volunteer Shift: Various shifts between 7am and 7pm
Volunteer Job Description: Help us finalize set-up, prep refreshments, greet guests, keep things tidy, guard the Book Arts Petting Zoo, and clean up our annual holiday fair. Volunteers will have break during their shift to do personal gift shopping.