1. Barriers – A Thing of the Past
Video: IndyPL
Librarians and Branches
1910 Book Delivery
Source: IndyPL Digital Collection

2. Volunteers: Need ‘em, Get ‘em, Keep ‘em
Deb Ehret, MLS
Spades Park Branch Manager
Wendy Johnson, MPA, CVA
Volunteer Resource Specialist

3. Ice Breaker
What is one barrier to engaging volunteers in your library?
(No fair repeating )

4. Barriers – A Thing of the Past
I’m already stretched
I can do it myself faster than I can explain it
They’ll do it wrong
Dependability
Legal implications – patron records / data entry
Volunteer role vs. paid position

5. Why Volunteers are Important
The next level of community engagement
Increased circle of influence – word of mouth
Volunteers and donations
2/3rds of volunteers donate to the organization
Up to 10x more $
Support for staff and patron activities
Fresh set of eyes
New skills and resources
Sources: ServiceLeader.org;
Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund Volunteerism and Charitable Giving

6. Today’s Discussion Need ‘em: Creating meaningful opportunities
Get ‘em: Recruiting the right volunteer
Keep ‘em: Recognizing for retention
The Fine Print
Disclaimer 1: Any one of these concepts could be a full day’s discussion. We’re going to touch on the highlights.
Disclaimer 2: Our focus is on the on-going volunteer. However most of this conversation applies to engaging one-time groups as well.

7. Need ‘em: Creating meaningful opportunities
What would
you do
(in your library)
if time & money
were limitless?

8. Need ‘em: Creating meaningful opportunities
Some activity ideas for engaging volunteers
Collection Support
Program Support
Public Computer Support
Special Events
Paws to Read
Minecraft Club Support
Computer Class Assistant
Maker Space Co-leader

9. Need ‘em: Creating meaningful opportunities
Be Innovative!
Project Scoping Tool

10. Need ‘em: Creating meaningful opportunities
IMPORTANT!
Volunteer Position Descriptions
Tools
Sample
Developing a Position Description Tool

11. Get ‘em: Recruiting the Right Volunteer
If the shoe fits…

12. Get ‘em: Recruiting the Right Volunteer
Resource lists
Where to Look
Example
General Population
Fun Run
Targeted Recruitment
Music Monday
Connected Recruitment
Community Partner
Closed System
Authors Fair
Brokered Recruitment
VolunteerMatch.com

13. Get ‘em: Recruiting the Right Volunteer
Screening
Know what roles you need to fill
Have positions defined – Position Descriptions
Know your capacity
Interview
Standard Questions
Document Interview
Stop the interview at any time

14. Get ‘em: Recruiting the Right Volunteer
Risk Management
Background checks
Interacting with the patrons
Documentation & Records management
Terminating a volunteer

15. Get ‘em: Recruiting the Right Volunteer
The point: Don’t Chase Volunteers, give them the opportunity to “self select”
Sample screening process & “The Washout”
Volunteer Calls / Stops by – You provide information
Volunteer Calls – Schedule an interview
Interview
1st day / orientation & training

16. Keep ‘em: Recognizing for Retention
When you volunteer, what are your pet peeves?

17. Keep ‘em: Recognizing for Retention
Didn’t need me today
Not ready for me
Didn’t say “Hi!/Bye!”
Didn’t say “Thank you!”
Don’t know my name
Tasks are meaningless/busy work
Ask to stay – “just another hour”
No training or leadership
“You’re doing it all wrong!”
Good night, and good luck

18. Keep ‘em: Recognizing for Retention
Rules for Recognition
Give it frequently
Give it using a variety of methods
Give it honestly
Give it to the person, not the work
Give it appropriately to the achievement
Give it consistently
Give it on a timely basis
Give it on an individualized basis
Give it for what you want more of
Source: Corporation for National and Community Service

19. Keep ‘em: Recognizing for Retention
Ideas for recognition
Tools
Pinterest, too
Nat’l Vol Week - April
Everyone should help

20. Summary Barriers of the Past, Ready for the Future Need ‘em Get ‘em
Keep ‘em
Tools and Resources

21. Deb Ehret, dehret@IndyPL.org Wendy Johnson, wjohnson@IndyPL.org
Questions?
Deb Ehret,
Wendy Johnson,