1. By: LaToya Devezin, New Orleans Public Library ENGAGING VOLUNTEERS IN ARCHIVES

2. “No one is useless in this world who lightens the burden of it for someone else.” Remember… - Benjamin Franklin

3. Agenda My NOPL Volunteer Experience Engaging Volunteers in Archives How to Develop a Volunteer Program for Your Archives

4. VOLUNTEERS @ THE NOPL A New Orleans Public Library Story

5. African American Resource Center

6. My NOPL Volunteer Experience I supervise the AARC’s archives volunteers I work with volunteers mostly during the summer Last 3 years Younger volunteers, ages 16-22

7. Why Do We Need Volunteers? I’m the only archivist Help is necessary for large projects There is always something to do

8. How We Get Volunteers Put in Request Insurance Forms MOU Meet supervisor and volunteers List Projects

9. Our Volunteers Reasons: school, court ordered, or work program Shared with other dept.- usually get between 1-5 Work 20-40 hours Given a tour and allowed to pick where they work Offer great insight and are valuable to us Get 2 days of introductory archival training

10. Pros Hardworking Gain Archival Experience Helpful to Us

11. Cons Turnover 3 rd Party Supervisors No previous experience

12. Examples of Volunteer Projects Arranging and describing records Ellis Marsalis Project: – Donated over 500 albums, 100 books – Copyrights for songs – mp3 v. CD (digitization) – Music Listening Stations

13. ENGAGING VOLUNTEERS Your Story

14. "No one cares what you know, unless they know that you care." Remember… - Anonymous

15. Things to Consider What have your volunteer experiences been like? What were your likes and dislikes as a volunteer? What experience do your volunteers have? How can it help you?

16. Bass, June. “(2012, March). Engaging Volunteers in Difficult Economic Times.” Accessed from: www.infopeople.orgwww.infopeople.org

17. Ways to Engage Volunteers Train them Explain the importance of their project(s) Let them be involved in the process Recruit them Trust them Do not micromanage them They bring valuable skills-use them! Find out what they enjoy

18. Reasons Why They Volunteer To meet new people To learn a new skill Community service To network To give back Retired Asked to volunteer

19. Benefits You develop supporters for your repository Enhance the services that you offer Gain valuable community connections from volunteers Volunteers understand the importance of archival work You have much needed help

20. Best Tools for Engaging Volunteers Thank them Show appreciation Thank you bag Include them -Nametags -Staff t-shirt -Give them a lunch break

21. DEVELOPING YOUR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM Your Future Story

22. “Give me where to stand, and I will move the earth.” Remember… - Archimedes

23. Steps for Developing Your Volunteer Program Mission Statement Policy Recruitment Strategy Training Volunteer Description

24. Points to Ponder Who will supervise the volunteers? How many do I need? Is the staff trained to work with volunteers? Who will train them? How long do I need them? What will they have access to?

25. Remember… Recruit Engage Thank

26. Thank You! LaToya Devezin ldevezin@neworleanspubliclibrary.org