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
Virtual Volunteer - 4 minute interview
This 4 minute interview is with a volunteer who couldn't come to the library to volunteer, but still wanted to help with her high level social… more
Capacity BuildingStaff Training virtual volunteer 2015
Library Volunteer Program Improvement Model
VolunteerMatch worked with the California State Library to develop this self-assessment tool for library volunteer engagement programs. Once you… more
Capacity BuildingVolunteerMatch Tools and Resources Assess, evaluation, program evaluation, planning 2015
A Few Pointers on the Unpleasant Topic of Firing Volunteers
Sarah Jane Rehnborg, Ph.D. discusses some of the "whys" and "hows" on this important topic.
Staff Training Fire, dismiss, problem 2015
Skilled Volunteer Interview: Social Media Specialist
This is a 4 minute interview with a volunteer who served as a Social Media Specialist for the California State Library. Her volunteer Position… more
Engaging High Impact VolunteersMillennials Skilled Volunteers, Millennials, social media, virtual 2015
Today's Volunteer: The Shift from Management to Engagement
Video clip on this topic from a Get Involved Volunteer Engagement Institute in Oakland California in May 2015. (9.5 minutes)
Capacity BuildingEngaging High Impact VolunteersStaff Training 2015
Working with Volunteers who have Full Time Jobs
This 5 minute video explores working with volunteers who have full time jobs with Cathy from the Sacramento Public Library, and one of her working… more
Capacity BuildingStaff Training 2015
Importance of Meaningful Written Volunteer Job Descriptions
Video clip on this topic from a Get Involved Volunteer Engagement Institute in Oakland California in May 2015. (14 minutes)
Capacity BuildingEngaging High Impact VolunteersStaff Training 2015
Help for the Volunteer Engagement Coordinator
This is a 3 minute interview with volunteer Kellie, who came on board as our volunteer Assistant Volunteer Coordinator at the California State… more
Capacity BuildingStaff Training 2015
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
Skilled Volunteer Interview: Public Relations Strategist
Watch this 6 minute interview with Dan, a highly skilled Public Relations volunteer who came aboard to create a statewide PR campaign for California… more
Graphic Design, Marketing and PublicityCapacity BuildingStaff Training 2015
Success & Sustainability Factors
Video clip on this topic from a Get Involved Volunteer Engagement Institute in Oakland California in May 2015. (17.5 minutes)
Capacity BuildingEngaging High Impact VolunteersStaff Training Sustainability, retention 2015
Disability Etiquette: Tips on Interacting with People with Disabilities
A pamphlet created by the United Spinal Association.
Staff Training disabilities, diversity, equity, inclusion 2015
If Your Board Looked Like Your Community
While written by an Arts organization, the 4 “Hurdles” described, along with strategies to consider and actions to take are relevant to all… more
Staff Training diversity, inclusion, inclusive 2016
Why Company Sponsored Volunteer Programs are Keeping Millennials Happy at Work
What motivates millennials to stay in a job is having an impact on corporate social responsibility.
Volunteer RecruitmentMillennials Millennials, high-impact volunteers, Recruitment 2016
Checklist to Minimize the Most Common Volunteer Risks
A good basic list of issues to consider and how to approach them.
Capacity BuildingStaff Training Risk Management 2016
Small Library VolunteerMatch Success -- Johnson City TX
In this 4 & 1/2 minute video, Johnson City Texas Library Director, Maggie Goodman, shares her successful experience in posting a need for IT… more
Capacity BuildingEngaging High Impact VolunteersOn-line Volunteer RecruitmentVolunteerMatch Tools and Resources rural, small, maker space, LinkedIn, VolunteerMatch 2017
Small Library VolunteerMatch Success Story - Brownwood Texas
In this 2 minute video, Brownwood Texas Library Director, Becky Isbell, shares her successful experience in posting a need for a skilled graphic… more
Capacity BuildingEngaging High Impact VolunteersOn-line Volunteer RecruitmentVolunteerMatch Tools and Resources rural, Skilled Volunteers, VolunteerMatch 2017
Are You in a Volunteer Management Silo?
A classic piece by Susan Ellis describing why we need to get out of our comfort zone and expand our thinking once in a while.
Staff Training Professional Development 2017
Volunteers: More Work? or More Work Force? - Idaho Commission for Libraries
This is a 30 minute archived webinar, presented May 15, 2017 by Sheila Winther, Volunteer Coordinator for the Idaho Commission for Libraries. This is… more
Staff Guides for Working with VolunteersCapacity BuildingStaff Training volunteer coordinator 2017
Volunteers are the Reputational Assets Your Organization is Overlooking
A great reminder in a brief article by Erin Rebecca Spink.
Capacity BuildingStaff Training 2017