Library Volunteers--Worth the Effort!: A Program Manager's Guide - Softcover

Reed, Sally Gardner

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0786400048 ISBN 13: 9780786400041

Publisher: McFarland, 1994

Synopsis

Faced with ever growing patron demands, tight budgets, and limited personnel, libraries are relying more and more on volunteers to assist the paid staff. But for every professional who "manages" volunteers there is a horror story--a "problem volunteer" who lacked the talent, commitment, team spirit, personality or available time to do the job. How does the busy librarian develop and manage a successful volunteer program? This is the guide to implementing and managing a volunteer program tailored to the needs of the individual library. Issues such as recruitment and placement, training, development, and evaluation, and the "challenging" volunteer are discussed. Sample applications, advertisements, press releases, job descriptions, and skills and aptitude tests are also included.

About this title

From the Back Cover

As libraries face times of tightening budgets, demanding patrons, and limited personnel, they are forced to rely more and more on the help of volunteers for their survival. Although the majority of these volunteers are qualified and competent, there is always the occasional "problem" volunteer who lacks either the talent, commitment, personality, or time to do the job. Out of necessity, librarians must develop viable, cost effective methods of managing volunteer programs. This guide provides information on how to implement and manage successful volunteer programs. Issues such as recruitment and placement, training, development and evaluation, and the "problem" volunteer are discussed. Sample applications, advertisements, press releases, job descriptions, and skills and aptitude tests are also included.

About the Author

Sally Gardner Reed, executive director of United for Libraries, lives in the greater Philadelphia area.

Edition details

• Publisher: McFarland
• Publication date: 1994
• ISBN 10: 0786400048
• ISBN 13: 9780786400041
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 128