Recruiting Organizing School Library Volunteers Parents Students Cindy

Recruiting & Organizing School Library Volunteers: Parents & Students Cindy Carro LIS 773

Overview n Benefits/Rationale n Logical Process for Recruiting & Organizing a Volunteer Program n Finding & Recruiting Volunteers n Volunteer Screening & Possible Jobs n Training & Development n Evaluation/Assessment n Rewards & Recognition

School Library Volunteer Program n …can be a great asset to any school library. n If implemented effectively, a volunteer program, consisting of students, parents, and community members, will allow SLMSs to… l (1) spend more time collaborating with teachers, suggesting materials, preparing pathfinders, and presenting lessons that dovetail with classroom instruction, l (2) help students develop the social skills and responsibilities required a learning area is shared with others, and l (3) enrich the library program with the contributions and talents of parents/community members.

Benefits & Purposes A Volunteer can… n Library Services Expand support for routine tasks and special library projects l Enhance the level and quality of student & staff services l Provide supplemental expertise l

Benefits & Purposes n Personal Enrichment l l l n Acquire new technical, office, administrative, or customer service skills Gain a sense of personal achievement from learning a new skills or successfully completing a project Develop feelings of self-worth and pride from helping others Community & Citizenship Values l l l Create a positive image of the library in the community Bring information about local ideas, issues, and concerns back to the library so staff can better meet community needs Become a stakeholder in the library and community

Logical Process/Sequence 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Pinpoint where volunteers can be used Develop job descriptions with qualifications Publicize volunteer openings Interview and screen applicants Select appropriate volunteers and match with jobs Orient new volunteers to policies and procedures Train new volunteers in specific jobs Track hours, duties, & achievements Evaluate activities & volunteer program

Recruitment n Personal recruitment n Individual recruitment n Program/Event recruitment n Media recruitment l l school newsletters newspapers

How to Find Volunteers n Parents l l n Students l l n Parent organizations (PTA) Open house “Volun. Teens” 3 rd-12 th grade students recommended by teachers Community members l l public library Friends Group Retired teachers/staff members

Background & Skills n Ability to relate to, work with, and direct the activities of diverse people from all backgrounds and ages n Good written and verbal communication n Management capabilities to establish and maintain office goals, objectives, record-keeping, and evaluations

Initial Organization 1. Screening, Interviewing, etc. 2. Placement 3. Job Descriptions • • • Job title Function (need & purpose) General statement of duties Examples Supervisions/supervisor Qualifications Time frame Location of job Benefits & opportunities

Possible Tasks / Jobs n Shelving & Weeding Children’s programming (Dr. Seuss Day, etc. ) Busy work (folding newsletters, labeling, sorting, etc. ) Homework helpers Spring cleaning Bulletin boards Book talks Assisting with circulation “Job Jar” n See http: //www. slgill. com/vol 3. htm n n n n

Training & Development n n n n n Brief overview of LMC (mission, goals, role, vision, & organization) Funding sources Policies & procedures Tour of LMC & school Volunteer expectations, skills, goals, policies, & work Standard operating procedures (safety rules, sign-in sheets, breaks) Review of forms Introduction to staff & administration Q & A session

Evaluation/Assessment n One-month evaluation (response to hours, quality of training; job strengths & weaknesses; concerns) n One-year evaluation n Volunteer exit overview / assessment of the LMC & supervisors n Staff / student assessment of volunteer program

Rewards & Recognition n Rewards from the job : ) n No overdue fines & complimentary library card Invitations to special events & appreciation parties Job references Free meals First choice to check out new books or magazines Perk Bin Use of copy or lamination machine n n n

Rewards & Recognition n Informal Recognition: l l n Common courtesy (“thank you”; spending time with volunteers; birthday card) Book dedication Formal Recognition l l written acknowledgement of service a celebration

Volunteer Coodinator’s Calendar n n n n May: Recruit new volunteers. Attend class meeting; speak at the PTA. August: schedule all volunteers and distribute schedule September: Touch base with volunteers (“How’s it going? ) Oct. /Nov. /Dec. : Help host special event programs / receptions Jan: Touch base with volunteers Feb. /Mar. : Plan volunteer recognition April: Volunteer recognition

Summary: Key Concepts 1. School librarians and library directors agree that library volunteer programs help to provide more time for collaborating with teachers and working with students, to expand the support for routine tasks and special library projects, and to help advocate for the library. 2. A school library volunteer program also benefits the volunteers themselves—personally and professionally —if volunteers are given appropriate yet challenging tasks that meet the individual’s unique talents and interests. 3. A solid volunteer program consists of students, parents, and community members, who, representing a diverse group of people, will be able to serve a diverse population and perform a variety of tasks.

Summary: Key Concepts 4. School library volunteers will impact day-today operations. Plus, creating, organizing, and managing a library volunteer program takes time and effort. Thus, the librarian must have a welldeveloped plan of action for recruiting, training, and managing volunteers. 5. In order to ensure the success of the volunteer program (and the retention of the volunteers), job descriptions, task checklists, and policy/procedures manuals should be provided for volunteers. Additionally, both the volunteers and the overall program should be evaluated periodically throughout the school year.

Three Critical Questions 1. Do the benefits of a volunteer program really outweigh the potential problems (personal, legal, etc. ) of such a program, or the time, cost, and energy spent organizing and managing a library volunteer program? 2. How do you get more students and parents active in the library volunteer program at the middle and high school levels? 3. In our world of constant change, how do you keep volunteers to stay involved in the program, and conversely, what do you do with a volunteer who just isn’t working out?