University of Arizona Campus  •  March 14 -15, 2020  •  9:30am to 5:30pm

Volunteer Sign Up

The Tucson Festival of Books is dependent on volunteers to run the Festival. We could not have a positive impact on the community without the dedication of the 2,000+ people who assist in making the Festival friendly and welcoming to all of our guests.

Choose from the tabs to see volunteer opportunities in each of these areas:

  • Festival Weekend (Saturday, March 14 & Sunday, March 15)
  • Pre-Festival positions (January through Friday, March 13)
  • Post-Festival activities (Monday, March 16 and as needed!)

We are grateful for your support of the Festival...we love our volunteers!

Choose jobs
Author Campus Escorts - Main Mall, No Children Teen (17 slots available)
Shifts available
Job description

NOTE: THIS JOB DOES NOT ESCORT CHILDREN/TEEN AUTHORS!!!
* Select shift(s) that align with your preferred author(s)
* Contact ACE Liaison(s) 30 minutes before shift starts.
* Escort author(s) from Hospitality Room to event location.
* Stay at event location throughout author presentation.
* Escort author to book signing area following presentation. This completes your shift.

* You will be able to sign up for a specific author starting a couple of weeks before the Festival (details will be emailed to escorts.) Liaisons will make their best effort to assign you to one of your preferred authors.

Signing up for multiple shifts is encouraged, but please DO NOT volunteer for sequential shifts. You may sign up for every other shift. Example: 9:30AM and 12:30PM, or 11:00AM and 2:00PM

May involve walking up to ½ mile each way to/from the venue in the sun.

PLEASE NOTE: Flexibility is a necessity! Situations are unpredictable. The ability to “go with the flow” will make this fun job even more enjoyable.
MINIMUM AGE TO VOLUNTEER: 18

Author Transportation (35 slots available)
Shifts available
Job description

● Transport authors to/from airport/hotels/UA Campus
    ~ Maximum availability Thursday AM to Monday PM is requested.
     (Need as much time as can be given.)
    ~ A Volunteer Liaison will contact you to coordinate assignment(s).
● Must have a clean, reliable, air-conditioned vehicle with
    ~ enough room to comfortably carry all passengers
    ~ sufficient cargo space for luggage
● Must provide a copy of the following:
    ~ valid, unexpired driver’s license for dates of Festival
    ~ proof of in-force insurance for dates of Festival
● Helps to use diplomacy to deal with varying temperaments

AGE TO VOLUNTEER: 21 minimum, 75 maximum

Book Signing (33 slots available)
Shifts available
Job description

● Prepare author signing areas
● Greet authors and visitors
● Help maintain traffic flow in book signing areas
● Assist with other tasks as needed
● May involve walking up to ½ mile to/from book signing area
● May be required to stand in the sun for duration of shift(s)
● Must be able to deal effectively with varying temperaments

MINIMUM AGE TO VOLUNTEER: 18

Bookstore Customer Service (5 slots available)
Shifts available
Job description

-assist authors by ensuring books are available for signing
-assist customers in locating books
-facilitate traffic flow in purchasing and signing areas, possibly bagging purchases
-may require moving books for display
-may require standing for entire shift
-other tasks as necessary
Minimum age to volunteer: 16 years

Children Book Nook Tent (3 slots available)
Shifts available
Job description

● Assist children and parents with activities, crafts, & performances
● May require some lifting of boxes & equipment
● This assignment is outside
● May be required to stand for the duration of the shift(s)
● Must be able to deal effectively with varying temperaments

MINIMUM AGE TO VOLUNTEER: 16

Children Teen Author Event Monitors (15 slots available)
Shifts available
Job description

Be on time and dependable. You play a critical role in making the day run smoothly for all.
● Assist in making sure the room is ready before the presentation and cleared after the presentation
● Help manage the audience before, during, and after the presentation
● Use your skills to resolve any minor issues that may arise
● Complete the attendance count and a brief evaluation of the speaker program
● Attend the walk-thru and orientation for volunteers and perhaps have an opportunity to choose which presentation you would enjoy monitoring.
● Enjoy the presentations during your shift(s) even if you may have to stand for the duration.
● Have fun being a part of a significant element of the Tucson Festival of Books!

MINIMUM AGE TO VOLUNTEER: 18

Children Teen Author Signing (11 slots available)
Shifts available
Job description

● Monitor autographing lines in children/teen signing area
● Assist authors as needed
● Hand out post-it notes
● Help keep sidewalk clear
● Must be able to deal effectively with varying temperaments
● May be required to
     ~ stand for the duration of the shift(s)
     ~ be in the sun the entire shift

MINIMUM AGE TO VOLUNTEER: 18

Clean Up - Takedown (24 slots available)
Shifts available
Job description

● Take-down/collect Festival signage and assets
● General clean-up of UA Mall
● May involve physical activity
     (walking, ladder climbing, lifting, etc.)

MINIMUM AGE TO VOLUNTEER:
     ~ 14, if with a guardian
     ~ 18, as an individual

Entertainment Support (68 slots available)
Shifts available
Job description

● Assist with activities, entertainers, performers & crossword puzzles
● Assist with crowd control before, during & after performance(s)
● May be required to lift boxes/equipment
● May involve walking up to ½ mile each way to/from assigned activity
● May require being in the sun and/or standing for duration of shift(s)

MINIMUM AGE TO VOLUNTEER: 14

Exhibitor Load-In Support (9 slots available)
Shifts available
Job description

-Work independently with instructions to direct vendors to appropriate sites in the Festival area
-Verify vehicles are authorized to enter the Festival area.
-Help offload vehicles
-Guide vendors to parking area
-Ensure vehicles enter and exit on designated routes through approved entry points.
MINIMUM AGE TO VOLUNTEER: 18

Festival Guides (137 slots available)
Shifts available
Job description

● Assist outside the venue
● Assist with entry/exit of attendees at Author Events venues
● Maintain attendee queues for upcoming events
● Scan tickets (additional training required) at ticketed events
● Provide directions, answer questions, interact with attendees and other volunteers
● Need to be flexible and patient, maintain composure, and be able to respond to changing situations throughout your shift while maintaining pleasant interactions with a range of people
● Requires walking to/from assigned venue. Requires standing for duration of shift and could require being in sunlight or inclement weather
● Minimum commitment request: 1 half-day shift
MINIMUM AGE TO VOLUNTEER: 18, unless volunteering with a pre-approved group.

Food Court Host (23 slots available)
Shifts available
Job description

● Be a friendly face of the festival
● Help maintain safe & clean food court area(s)
● Provide assistance to those in need of aid
● Be generally knowledgeable about the festival layout
     ~ Answer questions of festival goers
     ~ Assist attendees with locating programs/activities
● Must be able to stand/walk for duration of shift(s)
● Requires being outdoors for duration of shift(s)

MINIMUM AGE TO VOLUNTEER:
~ 14, if volunteering with group or adult
    (include group/adult name in additional skills box)
~ 18, otherwise

Friends of the Festival (3 slots available)
Shifts available
Job description

BOOTH VOLUNTEER RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Greet patrons.
- Offer refreshments/snacks.
- Answer questions about the Friends program (training provided).
- Answer questions about the Festival in general – please read the AZ Daily Star insert published the previous Sunday.
- Encourage/assist festival goers to become Friends.
- Direct visitors to the Friends of the Festival web page or to the mobile app to sign up. Encourage online method.
- Must be comfortable receiving & handling money/payments (checks or cash only with completed application).
- May involve walking up to ½ mile each way to/from assigned area.
- Must be able to deal effectively with varying temperaments.

MINIMUM AGE TO VOLUNTEER: 18

Indie Author Pavilions (11 slots available)
Shifts available
Job description

● Greet authors, provide name tags, direct authors to tables
● Assist with set-up as needed; may involve light lifting
● Distribute snacks/beverages to authors within the pavilion
● Encourage authors to wrap up at the designated time
● Collect sales tax for books sold in the Pavilion
● Help clean area in preparation for the next group of authors
● Light crowd control
● Provide assistance to Liaisons, as needed
● May involve walking up to ½ mile each way to/from pavilion
● Involves some standing during the shift(s)

MINIMUM AGE TO VOLUNTEER: 18

Info Booth (23 slots available)
Shifts available
Job description

● Assist attendees with locating programs/activities
● Provide maps, directions & information: use of the TFOB app is a plus
● Help coordinate assistance for those in need of aid
● Extensive knowledge of festival details a MUST!
     ~ festival layout, events/activities, materials, Friends of the Festival, etc.
     ~ training provided
● Must be able to:
     ~ walk up to ½ mile each way to/from assigned location
     ~ deal effectively with people of varying temperaments

ADDITIONAL NOTES:
● Booths serve as "Lost & Found" locations for both items & people

MINIMUM AGE TO VOLUNTEER: 18

Operations Troubleshooters (45 slots available)
Shifts available
Job description

FOR EXPERIENCED FESTIVAL GOERS!
● Act as the eyes & ears of the Festival
● Facilitate any & all actions to keep the Festival running smoothly
● Situations encountered might include:
     *medical * facilities * sanitation * security *
     *lost children * any matter requiring action *
● Having prior experience as a Festival volunteer is helpful but not required
● Knowledge of the Festival layout is helpful
● An orientation to this position and mall layout will be scheduled
● Must be able to deal effectively with varying temperaments
● Requires extensive walking and exposure to sun during entire shift

MINIMUM AGE TO VOLUNTEER: 18

Set-up - Saturday & Sunday (8 slots available)
Shifts available
Job description

● Assist in various set-up tasks, as required
● Last minute signage installation/adjustment
● Help expedite exhibitor load-in & vehicle traffic control
● Must be able to work from a ladder & use basic tools

MINIMUM AGE TO VOLUNTEER: 18

Special Venue Manager - Soc Sci Aud (3 slots available)
Shifts available
Job description

Event Manager in the Social Sciences Auditorium: Volunteers will perform Festival Guide, Venue Monitor and Book Signing jobs for one presentation on Sat, Mar 14 at 2:00pm
● Manage traffic flow and seating of attendees before, during & after event
● Greet and assist attendees. Respond to speaker & moderator requests for assistance
● Follow instructions of event management (provided) and complete assigned administrative tasks (record attendance, fill out short evaluation, etc)
● Assist with set-up and clean-up between events. May need to assist ticket scanner
● Need to be flexible and patient, able to respond to changing situations throughout your shift while maintaining pleasant interactions with a range of people
● Assist with Book Signing at the conclusion of the presentation
● Requires walking to/from assigned venue. May require standing for portions of shift

MINIMUM AGE TO VOLUNTEER: 18, unless volunteering with a pre-approved group.

Surprise Me (49 slots available)
Shifts available
Job description

● May serve in one or more capacities, as needed; flexibility is a must!
● Assignment may be anywhere in the Festival
● Shift times may be adjusted based upon actual assignment
● May be requested to "troubleshoot" if necessary
● May be required to
     ~ walk up to ½ mile each way to/from assignment
     ~ stand for entire duration of shift(s)
     ~ be outside for entire shift

MINIMUM AGE TO VOLUNTEER: 18

Teen Activity Tent (10 slots available)
Shifts available
Job description

● Assist with Teen craft activities as needed
● Help with venue/crowd control
● This assignment is outside
● May be required to stand for the duration of the shift(s)
● Must be able to deal effectively with varying temperaments

MINIMUM AGE TO VOLUNTEER: 16

Venue Monitors - Main Mall (38 slots available)
Shifts available
Job description

Author Events Monitor: Reports to Author Events Captain
● Assist inside Author Events venues
● Assist with set up and clean-up between events
● Manage traffic flow and seating of attendees before, during & after each event
● Fill each seat in the venue and no more
● Respond to speaker and moderator requests for assistance
● Fulfill assigned administrative tasks (provided in venue binder)
● Assist Festival Guides as needed
● Need to be flexible, patient, and maintain composure in interactions with others
● Volunteers will need to walk to/from assigned venues.
● May be required to stand for part or all of shift

MINIMUM AGE TO VOLUNTEER: 18, unless volunteering with a pre-approved group.

PreFestival Sign Setup - Wed, Thur & Fri (6 slots available)
Shifts available
Job description

ALL SHIFTS
● Assist in various set-up tasks, as required
● Must be able to:
    ~ Work in the sun/heat for extended periods
    ~ Work from a ladder & using basic tools

THUR/FRI
● Assemble/install signs at booths, stages, venues


MINIMUM AGE TO VOLUNTEER: 18

Sign Management Inventory (34 slots available)
Shifts available
Job description

Location: UA Campus Mall
Post Festival job allows for maximum Author presentation attendance!
Prepare signs for inventory by:
-removal of booth numbers or other affixed identifiers
-discard signs with dates
-inspect for damage
-clean where necessary
-roll booth signs in correct direction
-place in order for storage
-update status in database
Minimum age to volunteer: 16

Review job selections
Your information

Volunteers get one free t-shirt for helping out at the Festival.

Please indicate which training session you will most likely be able to attend. Attending a training session is highly encouraged, but not mandatory.

Let the Festival use your name in promotional materials.

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Select an option if you are an employee of or a member of one of these organizations.

If you are under the age of 18, a parent or legal guardian must accept these terms and conditions on your behalf.

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Named Sponsors
Arizona Daily Star
University of Arizona

Presenting Sponsors
Tucson Medical Center

Major Sponsors
Friends of the Festival
Pima County Public Library
Stocker Foundation
University of Arizona BookStores
University of Arizona - Facilities Management
Western National Parks Association
William & Mary Ross Foundation

Key Sponsors
Arizona Party Rental Companies
Arizona Wholesale Supply
Early Childhood Learning is Essential
Marshall Foundation
Tucson Electric Power Co.

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