Harness the Power of Volunteers@ your library

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Eureka! Leadership Webinar

Who we are

Jamie FinleyRoseville Public Library

Kaye MooreSan Jose Public Library

Lia HernandezHuntington Beach Public Library

Profiles of VolunteersThe trend: high-level volunteers

Who are they?

• Resume-builders

• Students

• Do-gooders!

• Community supporters

• Online

• Active

• Passive

• Position titles matter

• Non-traditional volunteer arrangements

Recruiting

Interviewing• Volunteers are NOT free labor• Look for a “good fit”• Allow time for self-evaluation• Give them a chance to say “no”• Professional level interviewing• Skill ≠ aptitude• The “ick” factor• Public perception of volunteers• Avoid the firing squad!• Going rogue

Building a support network

• Training guides

• Best practices

• Volunteer agreements

• Facilitate networks

• Invest a staff member

Reward & Retain• Traditional

• Non-traditional

• Ask them!

• Inclusion

• Shared decision making

Sample Program

Computer coaches & mentors

How it works

Two different models:

First come, first served

Appointments

Lessons from the Field

Take me to your leader

Volunteers as Program Coordinators

Select a “lead” volunteer early in the game

Encourage leaders to co-lead

All aboard!Fear of volunteers as “replacements”

Volunteers can help the library expand its services in non-traditional ways

Relationships with volunteers help deepen connections with the community

Evaluate. Evaluate. Evaluate.

Customer satisfaction forms

Volunteer surveys

Outcome measures

Evaluate statistics closely

Last ThoughtsQuestions?

• http://www.library.ca.gov/lds/getinvolved.html • http://californialibraries.volunteermatch.org/

Thanks!

Jamie FinleyRoseville Public Library

Kaye MooreSan Jose Public Library

Lia HernandezHuntington Beach Public Library