Training Materials

Learn more about best practices in volunteer recruitment and engagement, and how to get the results you need.

NOTE: These are examples from public libraries and should be reviewed and modified to ensure fit with local policies and culture.

Title Keyword Tags Year
VolunteerMatch "Tour"
This is a recording of an online meeting "Tour" provided for incoming AmeriCorps members attached to California Library Literacy Services in December… more
VolunteerMatch Tools and ResourcesStaff TrainingOn-line Volunteer Recruitment VolunteerMatch, Skilled Volunteers, skilled, virtual, virtual volunteer 2022
Volunteer Sustainability vs. Retention -- Carla Lehn
I often get asked – how do we retain volunteers – meaning how to we keep them longer. Here’s the news about baby boomers and the generations that… more
Baby BoomersStaff Training Confidentiality Forms, Recruitment 2012
Volunteer Speed-Matching
A unique volunteer recruitment technique.
Capacity BuildingStaff Training Recruitment 2005
Volunteer Satisfaction Surveys: 10 Ways to Get it Right
Gathering candid opinions from your volunteers will help you gain insights around what you need to improve. Despite our best efforts, however,… more
Staff Training 2012
Volunteer Safety Training - Orange CA
Powerpoint developed by the Orange Public Library during the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic to assist with training volunteers on safety procedures.
Volunteer Orientation COVID-19 2020
Volunteer Safety Precautions in a Pandemic World - Indianapolis IN
Safety precautions for volunteers returning to the Indianapolis Public Library during 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.
Job Specific Volunteer TrainingCapacity Building COVID-19 2020
Volunteer Recruitment
Video clip on this topic from a Get Involved Volunteer Engagement Institute in Oakland California in May 2015. (20.5 minutes)
Volunteer RecruitmentCapacity BuildingEngaging High Impact Volunteers 2015
Volunteer Recognition Ideas
Sixty volunteer appreciation ideas from Keela.com
Staff Training recognition 2023
Volunteer Practices Continuum - San Jose, CA
The practices are on a continuum that begins with statements that reflect “Volunteer Management” procedures and ends with statements that reflect “… more
Capacity BuildingEngaging High Impact Volunteers 2010
Volunteer Orientation and Training: The Ultimate Guide
A 2022 article from Wild Apricot on what to consider when planning volunteer orientation and Training.
Capacity Building volunteer training, orientation 2022
Volunteer Orientation - Media Center - Huntington Beach, CA
Powerpoint slides used in orientation of Huntington Beach Public Library's Media Center volunteers.
Materials HandlingJob Specific Volunteer TrainingVolunteer Orientation Shelving 2012
Volunteer Orientation - Circulation - Huntington Beach, CA
Orientation slides used by Huntington Beach Public Library with volunteers in Circulation.
Materials HandlingJob Specific Volunteer TrainingVolunteer Orientation book shelving, Circulation 2012
Volunteer Matching: Finding the Right Role for Every Volunteer
Fitting each volunteer with the right role is critical to success.
Engaging High Impact VolunteersCapacity BuildingStaff Training job descriptions, placement, onboarding, interview 2023
Volunteer Management: How to Get it Right
A 2018 study by MAVA (Minnesota Association of Volunteer Administrators) showed a lack of understanding about the essential nature of volunteers and… more
Capacity Building volunteer coordinator 2018
Volunteer Involvement in California Libraries: Best Practices
This is the State Library's 245 page book on Volunteer Involvement for libraries -- author Carla Lehn. Includes Chapters and sample materials… more
Volunteer RecruitmentEngaging High Impact VolunteersStaff Training Volunteer Recruitment, volunteer coordinator, staff training 1999
Volunteer Ethics & Risk Management: Should You Bring Volunteers In?
This blogpost on ethics and volunteer liability and risk management was prepared by Toby Johnson during the Covid-19 Pandemic of 2020. It serves as… more
Staff Training Risk Management, liability, Liability Waiver 2020
Volunteer Engagement 101
This one hour archived video was presented by Carla Lehn of the Get Involved: Powered by Your Library initiative for the incoming AmeriCorps members… more
Staff Training job descriptions, Recruitment, Staff Resistance, staff buy-in, Motivation 2022
Volunteer COVID-19 Safety Guidelines - Cedar Rapids IA
General guidelines for volunteers returning to the library during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.
Capacity BuildingJob Specific Volunteer Training COVID-19 2020
Volunteer COVID-19 Protocol Training - Huntington Beach CA
Protocol training for volunteers returning to the library during/after COVID-19 pandemic
Volunteer Orientation COVID-19 2021
Volunteer Background Checks: Giving Back without Giving Up on Privacy
How do nonprofit organizations screen volunteers? There are several options. The choices depend largely on the volunteer job involved and the… more
Volunteer Screening / InterviewingCapacity BuildingStaff Training background checks, screening 2018