1. THE Core/Corp of the Library
VOLUNTEERS
THE Core/Corp of the Library
Dee Crowner
Library Director
North Liberty Community Library

2. North Liberty Community Library Volunteer Policy
The North Liberty Community Library’s volunteers are an important extension of the Library’s staff. Volunteers perform a wide variety of tasks that are vital to the institution. The following policy is designed to promote a maximum degree of excellence.
Definition of a Volunteer
One who performs a service of his or her own free will; one who contributes time, energy and talents directly or on behalf of the North Liberty Community Library and is not paid by Library funds. All volunteers must be accepted and enrolled by the Library prior to performance of assigned tasks.
Overall Policy on Utilization of Volunteers
In order to achieve the vision and mission statement of the North Liberty Community Library, we view the active participation of citizens, of a variety of ages, as a valuable resource to the Library. After fulfilling Library procedures, the Library accepts and encourages the involvement of volunteers at most levels of the Library and within appropriate programs and activities. Volunteers shall be extended the right to be given meaningful assignments, the right to be treated as an equal, the right to effective supervision, the right to full involvement and participation and the right to recognition of good work.

3. Guidelines for Volunteers
Each volunteer is required to wear a volunteer badge.
Volunteers will receive regular training from the appropriate supervisor.
Special accommodations will be made upon request.
A background check may be made on each adult volunteer.
Volunteers will make note of time donated in the Volunteer Notebook.
Volunteers will show respect to patrons, other volunteers and staff.
Should a Volunteer have a grievance with a staff person, another volunteer or library patron, every attempt will be made to handle the situation through the Library Director or appropriate supervisor.
The North Liberty Community Library reserves the right to terminate the services of the volunteer if merited.
Volunteers may be used to increase the Library’s services.
Volunteers may not be used to establish and maintain new library services.
Volunteers will not be used to replace or reduce the number of paid staff.
Volunteers will be covered with respect to liability insurance in relation to their duties.
Volunteers should expect to fulfill a commitment agreed upon with the Library.
Volunteers are recognized as contributors to the goals and services of the Library.
 Volunteers are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of ALL library information. Failure to maintain confidentiality will result in immediate termination of the volunteer.
The Library staff will, upon request, provide letters of reference for the volunteer, if deemed appropriate.
Volunteers may start service in 5th grade.
All volunteers are registered by completing an application form.
Procedures and requirements for the volunteer will vary with age of volunteer.
All personal information about the volunteer is for internal use only.
Written parental permission is required for all junior volunteers (5th and 6th grade).
Volunteers will not be expected to do anything staff would not do.
Discriminatory or racist incidents will not be tolerated
Volunteers are prohibited from being under the influence of, using, possessing, selling or otherwise being involved with illegal substances and alcohol.
Library Volunteer Policy (continued)

4. Library Volunteer Policy (continued)
Tasks That May Be Performed By a Volunteer
Shelf Reading (mandatory)
Shelving material (mandatory)
Helping with programs and projects
Being a group leader with the Summer Reading Program
Light cleaning assignments
Answering the telephone
Basic reference work
Working the circulation desk
Cataloging
Filing
Special events
Helping with material selection
Most task assignments will depend on the interest and age of the volunteer. Junior volunteer assignments are handled on a volunteer by volunteer basis by the Youth and Teen Services Librarians.

5. Library Volunteer Policy (continued)
Types of Warnings
Verbal
Written
Dismissal
Types of Volunteers
Adult
Teen (TAG—Teen Advocate Group)
Junior (junior volunteers)
Community Service workers
Friends of the Library
Library Board
Special Projects   

6. Library Volunteer Policy (continued)
Benefits of Being a Volunteer
Feeling good about yourself
A feeling of accomplishment
Being of service to your community
Great parties
Good food
Recognition by staff, community, friends, etc.
Special “perks” offered by the library
Chances at Continuing Education Opportunities
References provided
Awards
Meeting new people and making new friends
Getting to know the library procedures, policies, the effort it takes to run and maintain a library
Job training for future jobs

7. Application for Volunteer Service - North Liberty Community Library
The Library offers a variety of volunteer opportunities. Please fill out the following application form.
Date of Application______________
Last Name ________________________ First Name___________________M.I.____
Address________________________________________________________________
City__________________________________ State____________ Zip_____________
Phone (H)________________________ (Other)_______________________________
__________________________ Date of Birth___________________________
Availability: Please circle the day(s) of the week you are available
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
Please circle time of day you are available
9am to 11am am to 1pm pm to 3pm pm to 4pm pm to 5pm 5pm to 7pm pm to 8pm
Arrangements may be made to volunteer at other times.
How often can you volunteer? Please circle one of the following
Once a week once every two weeks once a month as needed by special arrangement

8. Application for Volunteer Service (continued)
Volunteer assignments interested in learning: Please circle areas of interest:
Shelving (mandatory) Shelf reading (mandatory) Computers Cataloging
Material selection Working with children Storytimes Office work
Working with young adults Processing materials Summer Reading Program
other_______________________________   
Please list prior volunteer experience______________________________________
Emergency Contact:
Name__________________________________________ Phone__________________
Relation_____________________________-
Volunteer’s Signature___________________________________________________
Parent Signature _______________________________________________________
(for junior volunteers)
Application for Volunteer Service (continued)

9. Recruitment of volunteers
All media
Library newsletter
Newspapers
Radio
Television
Library
Newsletter
Friends brochure
Web page (library and city)
Scrolly thing
Bulletin Board
Through schools (all levels and homeschool)
Word of mouth
Senior Centers
Youth Centers
Local clubs and organizations

10. Types of recruits Adults Can/will do pretty much anything
Available most any time/dependable
Have other commitments/not always available when needed
Kids
Gone in winter/vacations
Appointments
Play time
Can call on them to step in when needed
Teens
Good with younger kids/help with programs
Not available much during school year
Great help with SRP/during summer
SRP group leaders
Help with shelving
Help with patrons
Help at desk
Will step in if they see you need help when they are in the library

11. Types of recruits (continued)
Kids
Don’t go younger than 4th grade but even better to stick with 5th and 6th graders
Attention spans of gnats (don’t schedule for more than two hours but better for an hour)
Love to help
Can do a lot of what teens and adults can
Homeschoolers
Available during day
Get whole families involved
Can do almost anything
Listen well
Handicapped

12. Types of recruits (continued)
Boards/commissions
Library Board
Informed
Usually doesn’t involve as much time as regular volunteer work
Willing to attend workshops
Like to micromanage
Can be on Board forever
Friends of Library
Willing to raise and spend money
Get business people involved
Doesn’t involve a whole lot of time
Think they know what library needs to spend “their” money on
Community Service “volunteers”
Service groups
Patrons working off fines
“Bad” people that need community service hours

13. Pros and Cons I. Pros Available most hours of the day
Want to be at library
Dedicated
Learn well
Impress powers that be
City councils
County Board of supervisors
State Officials
Community
Patrons
Parents
Other kids
Good for getting outside funding
Grants
Donations
Help staff with many jobs
Can fill in for staff
II Cons
Powers that be don’t think you need paid staff
Takes time to train and then they leave
Don’t always want to be there (kids especially but parents think it is great idea)
Friends want to work with friends
Not always there when you really need them

14. Benefits for volunteers
Satisfaction of being able to help
What we do at NLCL
Volunteer Week
Friends (who are volunteers) provide small gift
Volunteer Appreciation Lunch--If we can’t talk restaurant into donating food Friends pay for lunch
Library also contributes small gift
Acknowledgement in local media
Plaques on Wall of Fame
Name on plaque after 200 and 400 hours
Picture on Wall after 600 hours
Plaque acknowledging Friends Board members
Use library discount to order books (if legal in state)
Write letters of recommendations
School
Jobs
Free pass to Rec, Center and aquatic Center
Learning something interesting
Library pays for volunteers to attend workshops/PLM

15. Things to remember when working with volunteers
Start your program small (one of two people)
Have volunteer policy and application (see I)
Will probably need Volunteer Coordinator when program gets going
  Don’t start with kids
  Keep expectations low at first
  Give them meaningful tasks
  Most adult volunteers can do anything we can do
  If you have a union find out what they allow volunteers to do
  It is okay to fire/discipline volunteers
  Say thank you a lot
  Okay to give tests
  If possible assign someone else to be volunteer coordinator but make sure they are “good with people (either staff or another volunteer)
  With Junior High and older volunteers let them take responsibility—not parents. You aren’t writing recommendations for parents.