Edie Asbury posted the following request:
I am looking for tips on engaging with and coordinating library volunteers. This will be a focus of the next BIC Church Librarians Newsletter (BIC = Brethren in Christ).
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Replies
I would love copies of your newsletter. I have not started one at our church.. Difficult to get volunteers to help in library. Thank you.
mlsjms3@gmail.com
Sending some now!
May I have a copy of that list as well? Thanks
Here is the list we came up with, and we just keep adding things as we think of them. Some work better than others, as it all depends on the volunteer's time, season of life, and interest. Hope this is helpful.
Library Network Response.pdf
I'm not sure if this is recent, but if so, here is a comment: Debbie and I have already given some info about our volunteers in the thread here, but if you have specific questions, let me know, and we will give you more input. We have established a list of things for people to do that help us but is done during the week and not when the library is open on Sundays. We have people who like to come in and shelve when it is quiet or do tagging, etc. It is a HUGE help to us as librarians and allows us to be creative about what is happening. The other thing that might be helpful is promotion. If your library is not in a place that is easily seen, then it can be forgotten. We are in a good location, but when we first started, we set up read-aloud schedules for SS classes. This allowed us to have children brought down to our Children's corner, and once they knew we were there, they started asking to come. Those children are now participating in our summer reading programs as they are old enough to find us by themselves. We no longer need to have reading times because so many are coming to the library on their own. Volunteers (if they love reading aloud) might like being available for a monthly read-aloud time.
Would you send me your list of things for people to do that would help the librarians.
Thanks, Barbara Brown
raybarb1960@att.net
I sent it to your email.
I was all set to share what we do and then realized that my "partner in crime" Debbie Dehart had already told you about our wonderful team. I think I would add to what Debbie said with, we initially ask people who love books if they would like to participate and then what exactly would they feel comfortable doing and how much. Then, we cater to what they can do, i.e. only shelve books at certain times, or can only work midweek. Sometimes Debbie and I are brainstorming on what we can ask someone to do to keep them interested, but mostly we just give them "bite" size projects until they feel comfortable in working with the library or until they have time to do more. Some of our patrons are willing to write reviews which is another volunteer participation and helps us with our newsletter material. Keeping the library at the forefront of the minds of our congregation helps them to view us as one of the ministries of the church. We just finished a Cookie party outside the library to celebrate winners of the winter reading challenge, March reading month, and the first day of spring. This fall we are doing the ECLA Conference (Evangelical Church Librarian Conference) at our church and our team is excited to participate. I think our enthusiasm and our motto, to "equip followers of Christ," energizes many of them to stay engaged with our team. As Debbie said, we have a lunch meeting once a year and that is a "thank you" to our team as well as instructive. We put the food together for them so they know they are appreciated. We also recognize them not only in the newsletter when they come on the team, but we do Christmas gifts with a literary message to remind them we appreciate them as well as keep our focus on books! Debbie and I love our team and our library. It makes such a difference to LOVE what you do. When you love it, you talk about it, and when you talk about it, you find out about others who love it too....and then you sign them up!! :-)
Thanks, Denise! This is very helpful, too. I have drafted an article on "Attracting and Engaging Volunteers" from your description. I love your enthusiasm! Email me at easbury6@gmail.com if you want me to send you a copy to review before I release the newsletter.
We have a committee of about ten volunteers besides the two of us who run the library. Some are scheduled to work on Sundays (generally two people for each Sunday); others come in during the week to do various jobs that need to be done. Once a year, we have a lunch meeting on a Sunday morning after church, to go over any changes we've made, things of which they need to be reminded, explanations of upcoming events, and that kind of thing.
When new people volunteer one of us will meet with them to train them in whatever area they will be working.
Do you have specific questions or issues you'd like addressed? I'm not sure what else to tell you.
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