Please note: the form below is for potential volunteers at least 18 years old. (If looking to volunteer as a family with younger participants and/or are between the ages of 14 and 17, please email sofestofbooks@humtn.org).
We are looking forward to Vanderbilt University Presents Southern Festival of Books, a Program of Humanities Tennessee, and hope you will be able to be part of it!
Whether volunteering with the Fest for the first time or 37th or somewhere in between, we welcome you and thank you in advance for making the big event a reality!
Quick info about the volunteer experience:
Shifts are typically 3-4 hours
Volunteer training (~1 hr online or in-person, your choice) will take place before the Festival. There will be three opportunities to attend one: Oct. 2 at 12pm or 8pm; Oct. 4 at 10am. [Additional opportunity may also be available.]
Many shifts require volunteers to work outdoors at the Festival, in all weather conditions. Many shifts also include extended periods of standing. Special needs or limited mobility? Please let us know in the comments.
As a volunteer, you are invited to our festival Saturday Night Party where you will be welcomed, appreciated, and thanked for your time and service to the Southern Festival of Books!
Should you have any volunteer-related questions, please contact us at sofestofbooks@humtn.org.
Volunteers bring the Festival to life for thousands of people! Are you ready to help?
Keep scrolling for volunteer descriptions, shifts, and our sign-up form!
Location(s): Tennessee State Library & Archives (TSLA)
SHIFT: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Welcome and engage with participants
Distribute reader day materials and giveaways
Usher groups from bus to activities site
Set up and break down rooms
Provide feedback to HT Staff
Requirements: A Student Reader Day Assistant must be outgoing, enjoy working with youth, and be able to communicate in a professional and friendly manner with participants, staff and fellow volunteers.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER, 17
Festival Set-Up Crew
Summary: Our Set-Up Crew assists with festival set-up, some light lifting required.
Location: Marathon Music Works SHIFT: 5:00 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.
DRESS CODE: Business casual
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Share our organization, our mission, and our work with those who may be unfamiliar with it as this helps us broaden our reach and connect with more people
Distribute informational material
Direct patrons to the registration table
Assist patrons with name tags and table assignments
Offer and execute coat check by using ticketing system
Provide feedback to HT Staff
Requirements: AIR Greeter and Registrar must be flexible, friendly and comfortable interacting with patrons, have outstanding customer service, cultural awareness and diplomacy.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18 & SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19
Festival Set-Up Crew and Vendor Friend
Summary: Our Set-Up Crew assists with festival set-up, some light lifting required.
Assist vendors and exhibitors with loading and/or unloading
Assist with outdoor décor
Assist with signage
Assist with Headquarters and/or Youth Activities Area set-up
Requirements: Set-Up Crew must be flexible and able to take direction.
Session Room Monitor
Summary: Our Session Room Monitors help support each session by being aware of what is happening in each session and proactively problem-solving if issues arise to ensure a positive experience during the session.
Welcome participants—author(s) and host(s)—as they arrive to the room
Count attendance
Supply room with water
Assist with Room Set-Up
Monitor door to prevent extra noise during the session
Know session schedules and locations
Sweep room for lost/left items
Provide feedback to HT Staff
Requirements: A Session Room Monitor must be on time, reliable, and able to communicate in a professional and friendly manner with participants, attendees, staff and fellow volunteers.
Greeter
Summary: Our Greeter ensures attendees are greeted and provides directions or information to attendees to ensure they find activities/events/programs that may be of interest to them.
Have an overall familiarity with the layout of the festival
Share our organization, our mission, and our work with those who may be unfamiliar with it as this helps us broaden our reach and connect with more people
Provide a welcoming and positive environment
Provide feedback to HT Staff
Requirements: A Greeter must be friendly and comfortable interacting with attendees, have outstanding customer service, and cultural awareness.
Merchandiser
Summary: Our Merchandiser sells, promotes, and advertises festival merchandise to attendees.
Produce sales by providing point-of-purchase and inventory management services
Maintain visually appealing inventory displays
Assist with pricing items
Provide feedback to HT Staff
Requirements: A Merchandiser must have outstanding customer service, strong communication skills, and confidence working with numbers in a fast-paced environment.
Author Signing Facilitator
Summary: Our Author Signing Facilitator monitors author signing lines under the Author Signing Coordinator’s supervision.
Ensure each author has found their assigned table/space
Provide working pens for signing
Engage with attendees and provide festival information
Provide feedback to HT Staff
Requirements: An Author Signing Facilitator must be friendly and comfortable interacting with attendees, have outstanding customer service, cultural awareness and diplomacy.
Youth Activities Aide
Summary: Our Activities Aide assists with activities geared towards families and children. Activities may include arts and crafts, decorating, snacks and/or food distribution.
Engage with families and youth and provide festival information
Promote participation
Provide welcoming environment
Ensure children are not left unattended
Maintain fun, visually appealing displays
Provide feedback to HT Staff
Requirements: A Youth Activities Aide must be outgoing and enthusiastic with families and youth, have outstanding customer service, cultural awareness and diplomacy.
Costumed Character and Character Guide
Summary: The Costumed Character (~5′ 7″- 6’1″) walks with a guide through the festival site interacting with attendees.
Summary: Our Beer Garden Steward serves beer in a designated family-friendly beer garden amongst music, food trucks, and other community-building activities. NOTE: You must be 21 or older to volunteer at the Beer Garden. Drinking during your shift is not allowed.
Know general information about the festival—scheduling, locations, activities
Safely drive attendees in golf cart
Provide feedback to HT Staff
Requirements: A shuttle driver must be friendly and comfortable interacting with attendees, have
outstanding customer service, cultural awareness and diplomacy.
Auxiliary Support
Summary: Our Auxiliary Support provides staff with additional support while the festival is underway.
Assist vendors and exhibitors with loading and/or unloading
Assist with outdoor décor
Assist with signage
Assist with loading Headquarters into truck
Requirements: Clean-Up Crew must be flexible and able to take direction.
Volunteer Signup Form
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.
