Festival of Books

April 12 - 13, 2014

Festival of Books Volunteer Program

Thank you for your interest in volunteering for the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books.

The Festival of Books began in 1996 with a simple goal: Bring together the people who create books and the people who love to read them. The Festival was an immediate success and has become Southern California's major literary event. The nineteenth annual edition of the Festival of Books will be held on Saturday, April 12 and Sunday, April 13 at the University of Southern California and we would love to have you join us as a volunteer.

Last year 153,800 people attended the Festival, which featured over a hundred ticketed author events, children’s storytelling, poetry readings, book signings and nearly 500 exhibitor booths.  The Festival’s success has been due in part to the generous assistance of volunteers who welcomed attendees, assisted with registration, staffed author events, supervised book signings and much more.

Some details about volunteering:

  • Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older.  You cannot bring children under the age of 18 with you during your shift.
  • Volunteers will receive free parking, shuttle service from the parking lot, and lunch.
  • We will provide t-shirts for volunteers to wear and keep after the event.  (Please wear khaki, or beige pants or shorts.)
  • The majority of volunteer activities require being on your feet for most of your shift. Please wear comfortable shoes.
  • Volunteer shifts last 3 - 4 hours, and you may sign up for as many shifts as you wish for one or both days. You may sign up for overlapping shifts and work the duration of the hours for those shifts.
  • If you're flexible as to when you can work, when you sign up online, indicate which shifts you could work, and check the box indicating you'll work any ONE of the shifts indicated. If you'd like to work multiple shifts, check the box indicating you'll work ALL shifts selected.
  • bookwormsMost volunteer positions are assigned when you check-in on the day of event. There are a few assignemnts with special time requirements (author escorts, registration, etc.) that you can express interest in as part of the online registration process.

If you are a volunteer with strong leadership qualities, you might be interested in our Bookworm program.  This program rewards volunteers who provide leadership and commitment above and beyond the norm. Bookworms will be selected from those volunteers who agree to serve as Area Captains for an entire day of the Festival and attend a special training session. Bookworm roles include managing panel rooms, taking charge of Information Booths, supervising volunteers at Booksignings and other leadership activities. In addition to receiving a special shirt to wear at the Festival and other perks, Bookworms will be recognized in the Festival of Books program. While most Bookworms are veteran volunteers of the Festival of Books, we will still consider your interest if you are a first-time volunteer. If you wish to be considered as a bookworm for the first time, in addition to filling out the online application linked below, please email a resume that tells us a bit about your work experience.  If selected, you will be notified by the first week in March.

VolunteersIf you experience any difficulties registering online please email us or call the volunteer hotline at (213) 237-6503 and leave a message. Further information about the Festival of Books and other L.A. Times events is available on the Los Angeles Times Signature Events page. For any specific volunteer-related questions, e-mail Larry Deckel, Volunteer Coordinator.

If you have already pre-registered, full information about volunteering, including a map and parking passes for both orientation and the day(s) of event will be sent to you via U.S. mail the last week of March.

If you are have already pre-registered and find you are unable to attend and must cancel as a volunteer, please email us as far in advance as possible and let us know so we can offer your space to someone else!

arrow Click here to register as a volunteer for the
2014 Los Angeles Times Festival of Books.

Looking forward to seeing you this year at the Festival of Books. (If you don't wish to volunteer this year - please join the Festival of Books Volunteer email list by clicking on the link below to be notified of future opportunities).

 

 

Share

For Email Marketing you can trust

 

Click here to go to the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books webpage.

Troutco