Your Festival Experience

Volunteer Quick Links

Know Before You Go
Festival Schedule

Volunteer Information & Guidelines

Check-In & Shift Responsibilities

Please plan to arrive 15–30 minutes before your shift to check in at the Volunteer Lounge. Be sure to sign in and out before and after each shift.

  • Please do not leave your shift early. If you have a ticketed session, schedule your shift accordingly so you can be present for its full duration.

  • If your area is quiet, check in with your Team Leader to see where help is needed.

  • If you are released early, stop by the Volunteer Lounge to see if another team needs support.

  • If coverage allows, you may be able to attend a session—but please minimize entering/exiting once a talk has begun.

IMPORTANT REMINDERS

Keep hallways quiet during author sessions

Minimize entry and exit once sessions begin

No alcohol consumption during your volunteer shift

If attending an evening event and choosing to drink, please remove your volunteer shirt and badge.

Please do not park in the Convention Center loading dock—unauthorized vehicles will be towed.

Festival Overview

PARKING

SFILF is unable to cover parking costs for volunteers or festival attendees, except Team Leaders and Room Managers.

The Convention Center Parking Lot includes 13 ADA-designated spaces. In addition, a loading zone with ADA ramps is available at the intersection of Marcy and Grant Streets for safe passenger drop-off and pick-up.

Parking and Transportation
Accessibility

VOLUNTEER LOUNGE  

Located in the Kearny Room of the Santa Fe Community Convention Center, the Volunteer Lounge is your home base during the Festival—a place to check in, recharge, and connect with fellow volunteers.

Snacks & Beverages

Beverages and light snacks will be available throughout the day.

You’re also welcome to bring your own food. A refrigerator will be available in the lounge, although space can’t be guaranteed.

Please enjoy all food and beverages in the Volunteer Lounge only to help us keep Festival spaces clean and comfortable for everyone.

Meal Vouchers for Consecutive Shifts

  • As a thank-you for your time and energy, volunteers who work two consecutive shifts of 3+ hours (or more) on Saturday or Sunday will receive a meal voucher, which may be used for either lunch or dinner with one of the on-site food vendors.

  • Meal vouchers are typically distributed with your name badge. If you do not receive yours, or if you pick up an additional shift during the Festival, please check in with the Volunteer Lounge Manager.

WHAT TO BRING 

We can’t guarantee secure storage for personal belongings. You can put personal items in the Volunteer Lounge and the Book Storage Room. But because people are in and out of those rooms, we can’t guarantee the security of personal items. 

We recommend you bring only light, basic items you can carry with you.

  • Water bottle , identified with your name

  • Cash or credit card, if you plan to buy books or purchase food from the food trucks. There is an ATM located in the Convention Center office area. 

WHAT TO WEAR

  • We provide SFILF volunteer shirts so guests can identify those who offer assistance. While we still welcome your participation if you opt not to wear the shirt, we appreciate a unified, identifiable volunteer team. 

  • VOLUNTEER SHIRTS and BADGES will be available for pick up at:

    • Volunteer Appreciation Brunch on Saturday, April 25, 2026 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. 

    • The Convention Center in the Kearney Room  during the Festival weekend beginning Thursday, May 14, 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. and Friday, May 15, 12:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

    • Immediately before your shift, when you check in to the Volunteer Lounge.

  • In general, dress comfortably, with comfortable walking shoes. If you are registered to volunteer for an evening event, you may want to dress up a bit. 

Attending Author Sessions

Watch from the Volunteer Lounge

All Main Stage sessions are live streamed in the Volunteer Lounge. You’re welcome to watch at any time—whether or not you have a ticket or are on duty.

To keep the space comfortable for everyone:

  • Please keep conversations quiet during presentations

  • Step outside if you need to talk

  • The lounge is reserved for current Festival volunteers only

Ticketed Admission

Volunteers receive complimentary session access based on their scheduled shifts. This system is designed to be equitable and consistent for all, so please be sure to fulfill the shifts you’ve committed to.

Due to limited seating capacity this year, we ask that volunteers request tickets for personal use only. Before requesting or attending in person, we strongly encourage you to consider watching sessions via the Volunteer Lounge livestream or in the Quiet Listening Room, which offer excellent access without impacting seat availability.

Volunteers will submit a ticket request form in advance. Paper tickets will be distributed when you pick up your volunteer shirt and badge.

Volunteers receive one complimentary session per hour of scheduled service, with access ranging from 3 sessions (for 3–3.5 hours) up to 8 sessions (for 8+ hours).

Volunteer Ticket Request Form

Standby Admission

If you did not secure a ticket for a session, you may still be able to attend on a standby basis, depending on available seating.

Please follow these guidelines:

  • You must be present before the session begins (no late entry permitted)

  • You must have your volunteer badge

  • Wait away from the main hallway until all ticketed guests have been seated

  • Do not queue or gather in hallways during guest entry

  • You may enter the room after ticket scanning is complete, but before the presentation begins