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
COVID-19 Action Levels for Volunteers - Indianapolis IN
When the Indianapolis Public Library started bringing volunteers back during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, they were prepared with this document for… more
Staff Training COVID-19 2020
Developing a Successful Intern Program
Interns can be a godsend to any nonprofit. Depending on their background, they may be as valuable as paid staff and their main goals are typically… more
Staff TrainingCapacity Building intern, internship 2020
Engagement as a Path to Inclusion and Justice
This brief article from Beth Steinhorn at VQ Strategies outlines 4 questions we can all ask ourselves for developing and implementing a plan that… more
Capacity BuildingStaff Training inclusive, racism, diversity 2020
Moving Forward: Taking Action on Race and Equity
On Nov 19, 2020 the Points of Light Foundation hosted the first conversation in their Listen. Learn. Act to End Racism initiative, in partnership… more
Staff Training equity, inclusion 2020
Adopt-A-Shelf Job List - Cedar Rapids Public Library IA
This is the Job List for volunteers who "Adopt-A-Shelf" at the Cedar Rapids Iowa Public Library.  A related document is the Adopt-A-Shelf… more
Job Specific Volunteer Training Shelving 2020
Why Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Matter for Nonprofits
This article from the National Council of Nonprofits not only describes the issue, but suggests ways to start making changes, and provides a number… more
Capacity BuildingStaff Training racism, diversity, inclusion 2020
Power, Privilege, and Volunteerism
Volunteerism can reinforce patterns of power and privilege (whites and people of means as volunteers, and communities of color or those without means… more
Staff Training equity, inclusive, inclusion 2020
Intellectual Freedom Training for Volunteers - Multnomah County OR
Slide deck used by the Multnomah County Library to train volunteers about Intellectual Freedom.
Capacity Building intellectual freedom, volunteer training 2020
Introduction to Virtual Volunteering
This 35 minute recording is a presentation made by Jayne Cravens of Coyote Communications for the 2020 Points of Light Conference.
Staff Training virtual, remote 2020
Book Drop Helper and Sorter Training - Boulder CO
This powerpoint training was created for Book Drop Helper and Sorter Volunteers returning to service during COVID-19. In addition to this powerpoint… more
Job Specific Volunteer TrainingCapacity Building COVID-19, Book Drop 2020
NextGen Nexus: Moving Beyond Awareness
This article answers the question: How do we build awareness about our issue among young Americans?
Millennials Gen Z 2020
Book Drop Helper and Sorter Training Video #1 - Boulder CO
This video was created as a portion of the training for Book Drop Helper and Sorter Volunteers returning to service during COVID-19. The training… more
Job Specific Volunteer Training COVID-19, Book Drop 2020
COVID-19 Safety Protocols Training Powerpoint - Gail Borden PL, IL
This powerpoint was developed by the Gail Borden Public Library in Illinois to as part of its training for volunteers about safety issues and… more
Capacity Building COVID-19 2020
What Do Volunteers Want?
This article discusses the importance of following up with volunteers -- keeping them in the loop through good communication.
Capacity BuildingEngaging High Impact Volunteers communications, followup 2020
Creating One-Time, Short-Term Group Volunteering Activities
Great ideas for two-hour-, half-day or one-day, one-time group volunteering activities that could be used to engage workplace volunteer groups,… more
Staff Training groups, corporate 2020
Book Drop Helper and Sorter Training Video #2 - Boulder CO
This video was created as a portion of the training for Book Drop Helper and Sorter Volunteers returning to service during COVID-19. The training… more
Job Specific Volunteer TrainingCapacity Building COVID-19, Book Drop 2020
Are Young People Replacing Older People as the Key Volunteering Group?
A brief look at volunteering trends and key takeaways during COVID-19.
Baby BoomersCapacity BuildingMillennialsStaff Training COVID-19, generations, Millennials 2020
Homebound Delivery Volunteer Safety Requirements Sign-Off Sheet - Boulder CO
This list of safety requirements was created for Boulder Colorado Homebound Delivery volunteers returning to service during COVID-19. The volunteer… more
Job Specific Volunteer TrainingCapacity Building Homebound, COVID-19 2020
Skills Based Volunteerism 201: Project Scoping and Planning
This 1 hour archived webinar on preparing for skills-based volunteerism was presented by Serve Ohio in January 2020.
Engaging High Impact VolunteersCapacity BuildingStaff Training Skilled Volunteers, Skills Based Volunteers, high-impact volunteers 2020
Equity Diversity Inclusion & Antiracism Toolkit - Oregon Library Association
Toolkit developed by the Oregon Library Association in 2020.
Staff Training equity, diversity, inclusion 2020