This guide will show you how to reinvigorate your library's volunteer program using your community as a resource.Volunteers are essential to a library's well-being, but running a volunteer program is a complicated task that could often be done so as to bring more benefit to your library. This book draws on the author's decades of experience in public libraries and the nonprofit arena, and on cutting-edge professional trends in volunteer management, to show you how to tap into each of your volunteer's talents and match them to your library's needs.Providing multiple tactics for improving your library's volunteer program, the book covers redoubling your recruitment efforts to attract more volunteers, more logically assigning roles, and growing your relationships with volunteers. In addition, it addresses common problems with volunteers and potential barriers to success and explains how to overcome them. No matter what size your library, its volunteer staff, or its budget, this practical book will help you to streamline your volunteer program and more effectively engage the community to transform your library into a flourishing community center.

PrefaceWhy This Could Work for You: California's ExperienceSummaryNotesAppendixGet Involved: Powered by Your Library-Possible Scalable Approaches for Successful Replication by StatesAcknowledgmentsChapter 1. Why Volunteers?Benefits of Engaging Volunteers at the LibraryBenefit 1: Volunteers Help to Enhance or Expand Library ServicesBenefit 2: Volunteers Bring Specialized SkillsBenefit 3: Volunteers Share Their ConnectionsBenefit 4: Volunteers Supplement Staff TimeBenefit 5: Volunteers Bring New Energy and IdeasBenefit 6: Engaged Volunteers Naturally Transform into Strong Library SupportersBenefit 7: Volunteers Give MoreWhat Will Get in Your Way? Union Issues and Staff ResistanceDeveloping a Volunteer Engagement Mission StatementGet a Volunteer to Do It: Myths about VolunteersMyth 1: Volunteers Can Replace Paid StaffMyth 2: Volunteers Are FreeMyth 3: Volunteers Are Self-ManagingChapter SummaryNotesAppendicesSample Library Volunteer Engagement Mission StatementsMission Statement Homework AssignmentChapter 2. Volunteerism Trends Changing the LandscapeConsider These TrendsTrend 1: Generational DifferencesThe Silent Generation (Born 1926-1945)Baby Boomers (Born 1946-1964)Generation X (Born 1965-1980)Millennials (Born 1981-2002)A Special Word for Friends of the Library about Generational IssuesTrend 2: Skilled VolunteersReal-Life Example: Skilled VolunteersTrend 3: Shift from Volunteer Management to Volunteer EngagementTrend 4: Corporate VolunteerismTrend 5: Technology AdvancesOnline RecruitmentVirtual VolunteersReal-Life Example: Virtual VolunteerOnline Meeting TechnologiesMicro-VolunteeringReal-Life Example: Micro-VolunteeringSocial Media and VolunteeringReal-Life Example: Where the Need for Social Media Assistance, Online Recruiting, Virtual Volunteering, and Online Meeting Technology ConvergedTrend 6: Collaboration with Other OrganizationsStrategic CollaborationsLocal Volunteer Support OrganizationsChapter SummaryNotesChapter 3. Why People VolunteerMotivationWhy Written Volunteer Job Descriptions?Job Description Reason 1: Clarifies RolesJob Description Reason 2: Serves as Your Primary Recruitment and Placement ToolJob Description Reason 3: Basis for Feedback and SupportJob Description Reason 4: Serves as an AgreementJob Description Reason 5: Prevents Common ProblemsDesigning Good Volunteer Job DescriptionsTitlePosition Overview and ImpactKey ResponsibilitiesQualificationsTraining and Support ProvidedTime CommitmentCommitment LengthBenefits of VolunteeringOngoing Library ContactLocationDate RevisedInitial Contact PersonGrounds for TerminationJob Description TipsTip 1: Don't Write Them without Input from OthersTip 2: Be Sure What You've Written Is RealisticTip 3: Include Enough Information to Recruit the Right PersonTip 4: Think Strategically: What Do You Need?Tip 5: Consider Creating Some Program Management Positions for VolunteersReal-Life Example: Management Positions for VolunteersTip 6: Delegate Part of the Volunteer Engagement Duties to VolunteersReal-Life Example: Assistant Volunteer CoordinatorChapter SummaryNotesAppendicesVolunteer Job Description: Public SpeakerVolunteer Job Description: Speaker's Bureau CoordinatorVolunteer Job Description: Assistant Volunteer CoordinatorChapter 4. Volunteer RecruitmentA Special Word for Friends of the Library about Volunteer RecruitmentRecruitment MethodsPassive RecruitmentTargeted RecruitmentQualifications and Benefits to the VolunteerHow Could We Locate Them?Personal Connections and the Best Person to Do the AskingReal-Life Example: Personal Connections and the Best Person to Do the AskingLocal Recruitment OptionsOnline RecruitmentOnline Recruitment with Ineffective Recruitment StrategiesWhat If They Say No?Chapter SummaryNotesAppendixTargeted Recruitment PlanChapter 5. Success Factors for Volunteer EngagementSuccess Factor 3: Careful ScreeningInterviewingReference ChecksSaying No to a Volunteer after the InterviewPlacement ConsiderationsReal-Life Example: Social Media Specialist, No-Photographer, YesSuccess Factor 4: Orientation and TrainingOrientationReal-Life Example: Importance of Volunteer OrientationTrainingIn-Service TrainingStaff TrainingSuccess Factor 5: Staff Buy-InSuccess Factor 6: Feedback, Collaboration, and SupportFeedbackCollaborating with and Supporting Skilled VolunteersReal-Life Example: Developing an Agreement with a Skilled VolunteerSuccess Factor 7: Recognition/AcknowledgmentReal-Life Example: "Career Path" as Recognition/ AcknowledgmentReal-Life Example: Recognition Must Be Meaningful to the VolunteerReal-Life Example: Special Opportunities as RecognitionReal-Life Example: Special Efforts to Acknowledge VolunteersSuccess Factor 8: Sustainability StrategiesSustainability Strategy 1: Substitute PositionsSustainability Strategy 2: Break Assignments into Smaller PiecesSustainability Strategy 3: Job ShareSustainability Strategy 4: Team AssignmentsSustainability Strategy 5: Consultant PositionsSustainability Strategy 6: Seasonal VolunteersSustainability Strategy 7: Two-Deep LeadershipThe Long-Term Sustainability Strategy: Reach Out to Younger VolunteersChapter SummaryNotesAppendicesVolunteer Orientation and Training OutlineVolunteer Public Relations Specialist Job DescriptionChapter 6. How It All Gets DoneRoles for the Library DirectorRoles for the BoardRoles of the Volunteer Engagement Coordinator, Director, or ManagerConsiderations for Volunteer Engagement LeadersPlacement of Volunteer Engagement in the Library's StructureClarify the Term "Part-Time"Who Is/Are Your Supervisor(s)?What Should Your Title Be?Helping Staff to Understand Your RoleWhat Resources Are Available for Volunteer Engagement?Volunteer Engagement Services StructureDo You Have Any Responsibility for Friends or Foundation?Avoiding Burnout of the Volunteer Engagement CoordinatorHave a Job DescriptionHave a PlanLearn to Delegate EffectivelyReal-Life Example: Volunteer Project LeaderSeek Out Professional Development OpportunitiesJoin a Volunteer Coordinator Network or Start One YourselfA Word about Utilizing a Volunteer as Volunteer Engagement CoordinatorThe Roles of Staff in Volunteer EngagementChapter SummaryNotesAppendicesMatrix: Roles in Volunteer EngagementSample Job Description: Volunteer Engagement CoordinatorVolunteer Job Description: Senior Book Repair TechnicianVolunteer Job Description: Book Repair TechnicianChapter 7. Administrative and Legal IssuesLiability and Risk ManagementWhat Is the Law?Best ProtectionsInternal Policies and ProceduresAdditional Screening ProceduresTraining ProceduresInsuranceA Word about Background ChecksWhen to Do a Background CheckWho Will Do Your Background Checks?Treat Applicants FairlyWill Potential Volunteers Be Turned Off by All This?Who Pays for the Background Check?Data ManagementMeasuring SuccessMeasuring Outputs (Things You Can Count)Anecdotal InformationReturn on InvestmentMeasuring Outcomes (What Difference It Made)Measuring Progress on Library Strategic Plan GoalsMeasuring Progress toward Volunteer Engagement GoalsThe Future of Volunteer Impact MeasurementChapter SummaryNotesChapter 8. Volunteer Engagement Strategy SummaryAsk for Help: Seek InputDemonstrate the PossibilitiesGain Support of ManagementEstablish an Understanding of the Benefits of Volunteer Engagement throughout the OrganizationDesignate Staff for the Volunteer Engagement EffortEstablish Roles for VolunteersPlan, Plan, PlanBe Relevant to the Library's Strategic PlanBe Included in the Library's Strategic PlanDevelop and Monitor an Operational Plan for Volunteer EngagementBe an Organization-Wide Service, Not a "Volunteer Program"Engage Skilled VolunteersGain Staff Buy-InLead by ExampleDevelop Internal RelationshipsUtilize Multiple Recruitment MethodsMeasure and Share ResultsDon't Forget about the Library Support GroupsChapter SummaryEpilogue: Let's Get Started! Call to ActionStep 1: Understand Your RoleStep 2: Determine Priorities to Know Where to BeginTool 1: Organizational Readiness AssessmentTool 2: Volunteer Program Benchmark AssessmentTool 3: Library Volunteer Program Improvement ModelStep 3: Let Human Nature and Your Own Humanity Be Your GuideCheerleadEngage and Empower PeopleCommunicate Well and OftenBe SupportiveSummaryAppendix: TroubleshootingIntroductionThe Big FourThe Staff Are Not Supportive: How Do We Get Them to Buy In?Our Union Won't Allow Us to Use VolunteersI Don't Have Enough Time for This!Can I Fire a Volunteer?Alternatives to FiringReal-Life Example: Alternative to FiringFiring a VolunteerReal-Life Example: Firing a VolunteerMotivation-Related IssuesVolunteer AbsenteeismThe Volunteer Doesn't Return after the First WeekThe Volunteer Isn't Doing the Job RightVolunteers Only Want to Do What They Want to DoWhen Someone Brings His or Her Own IdeaRecruitment IssuesHow Does One Recruit Skilled Volunteers?How Does One Go about Finding Virtual Volunteers?Can I Say No to a Potential Volunteer?I'm Not Getting the Results from VolunteerMatch I Was Hoping for: What Can I Do?Library Director and Management Support IssuesOur Volunteer Services Department Is an Afterthought at Our LibraryHow Can I Get My Manager to Accept This?How Can I Make the Case That I Need More Resources?No Funds for a Full-Time Volunteer Engagement Coordinator?What about a Volunteer as Volunteer Engagement Coordinator?Other Management and Administrative IssuesKeeping Track of Volunteer DataLiability IssuesHow Do We Know If We've Been Successful?We Have Low Attendance at Our Annual Volunteer Recognition Brunch: Why Don't Volunteers Want to Be Thanked?I Need Training in Volunteer Engagement and Don't Have the FundsRetention (Sustainability) IssuesHandling the Departure of a Key VolunteerI Can No Longer Get Volunteers to Take One of Our Most Important Jobs, and It's Critical to Our Operation: What Can I Do?Special Groups of VolunteersCourt-Appointed VolunteersYouth VolunteersVolunteers with DisabilitiesFriends of the LibrarySummary: Addressing Issues and Problems You May EncounterNotesResourcesLocal Volunteer Support OrganizationsNational Organizations and NetworksLibrary-Specific Volunteerism ResourcesResources for Volunteers with Special NeedsAnnotated Bibliography of BooksSummaryNotesIndex