Hot Topics Archive

Month Topic Update
What's New for September 2014 New Resources

Management Tools
2013 Volunteer Canada Recognition Study

4-H Volunteer Recognition Program Model

Position Descriptions
Homework Club Site Coordinator

Homework Club Scholastic Supervisor

Training Materials
Homework Help Tutor Training
 

What's New for August 2014 New Resources

Position Descriptions
Storytime Performer

Web Developer – Friends of the Library

Training Materials
Developing Volunteer Orientation

Developing Training Programs for Volunteers
 

What's New for July 2014 New Resources

Management Tools
Supervising Volunteers

Position Descriptions
Community Connections Coordinator

Training Materials
Library Tour Guide Manual

What's New for June 2014 New Resources

Management Tools

Volunteer Confidentiality Agreement

Sample Volunteer Interview Questions

What's New for May 2014 New Resources

Management Tools
List and Matrix of Volunteer Management Software

Training Materials
How to Design Volunteer Training that Helps (Not Hurts) Learning

What's New for April 2014 New Resources

Management Tools

New VolunteerMatch Recruitment Tool – Volunteer Recommendations

Confidentiality Policy of Customer Records Form

What's New for March 2014 New Resources

Management Tools

Making the Most of Your VolunteerMatch Account

Training Materials

Rural Volunteer Toolkit
 

What's New for February, 2014

Management Tools
Volunteer Best Practices and Recommended Policies for California State Agencies

Training Materials

The Importance of Using and Understanding Background Check Screening

What's New for January 2014 New Resources

Management Tools

Adult Volunteer Application – Oakland Public Library
Teen Volunteer Application – Oakland Public Library
Youth Volunteer Application -- Huntington Beach Library

Position Descriptions

Seed Library Volunteer – Oakland Public Library

Training Materials

"Where do I go from here?  Engaging Volunteers in New Ways" – Archived Webinar from October, 2018
 

What's New for December 2013 New Resources

Position Descriptions

California History Genealogist

Training Materials

Resources on Interviewing Volunteers

What Leaders of Volunteers can do to Gain Executive Attention
 

What's New for October 2013 New Resources

Management Tools
Application for Staff to Volunteer – Oceanside
Volunteer Exit Interview

Volunteer Position Descriptions
California History, Art & Architecture Docent – CA State Library
Tour Scheduling Assistant --  CA State Library

Training Materials

Getting Management Buy-In for Volunteers

Teen Volunteer Programs - Infopeople Webinar

 

P.S.  If you’re not a member of the “Get Involved: Powered by Your Library” listserv, you can keep up to date on all things library volunteers by sending an e-mail to carla.lehn@library.ca.gov and requesting to be added.

 

What's New for September 2013 New Resources

Management Tools

Volunteer Coordinator Job Description, Orange Public Library
Volunteer Coordinator Job Description, Huntington Beach Public Library
Volunteer Reference Check questions

Volunteer Position Descriptions

Assistant Volunteer Coordinator   
California History Photo Archivist

Regional Get Involved Events – FREE (often include refreshments and local mileage reimbursement)

Ontario, September 19 – The Inland Get Involved Regional Network’s “Volunteer Coordinator Roundtable” will meet on Thursday, September 19 from 9 – 11 am at the Ontario Public Library.  (includes continental breakfast!)  This will be a great opportunity to meet with peers to discuss successes and challenges of working with library volunteers (Friends too!)  RSVP to Shawn Thrasher at sthrasher@ci.ontario.ca.us  Include your biggest challenge in the e-mail!

Mission Viejo, October 29 – The Southern California Get Involved Regional Network’s workshop “Building and Sustaining a Dynamic Volunteer Program,” will be held on Tuesday, October 29 from 9:00 am – 3 pm, and includes lunch.  RSVP by October 18 to monica.miltko@surfcity-hb.org

P.S.  If you’re not a member of the “Get Involved: Powered by Your Library” listserv, you can keep up to date on all things library volunteers by sending an e-mail to carla.lehn@library.ca.gov and requesting to be added.

What's New for June 2013 New Resources

This month we’re focusing on ESL Conversation Circles.  Many libraries are running these groups with volunteers to help English language learners through conversation and practice.  Here are some materials that might be of use to you in getting this project started at your library:

Fresno County Library recruits volunteers to facilitate small groups of adults learning English as a second language in improving their conversational English skills.  Here’s their volunteer position description.

San Jose Public Library recruits volunteer leaders to enhance the library’s services to English language learners by overseeing and implementing volunteer-led English Conversation Clubs.  Here’s their volunteer position description.

ESL Conversation Circles volunteer facilitator training -- This great Prezi presentation should help you prepare to train your volunteer facilitators.  

Conversation Club Kit -- Developed by the San Jose Public Library, this “kit” is available for volunteer facilitators to use each time they come to facilitate a group.  A great list of materials you might want to prepare too! 

P.S.  If you’re not a member of the “Get Involved: Powered by Your Library” listserv, you can keep up to date on all things library volunteers by sending an e-mail to carla.lehn@library.ca.gov and requesting to be added.

 

What's New for May 2013 New Resources

This month we’re focusing on Get Involved Regional network meetings that are being held around the state -- two in May (Roseville and Ontario) and one in June in the Bay Area.

These meetings are developed and run by regional Get Involved leaders, with some financial support from the state library to reimburse library participants’ mileage.   Meeting topic, registration and contact information are provided with each.  Each regional team is looking for additional folks to step up to assist in organizing these.  Please make your interest know to the contact person!

Northern California: Strategies for Sustainability: Building a Volunteer Program that Lasts Beyond You
Friday, May 17 -- 10 am – 3 pm (9 am coffee and networking) – Roseville Public Library
It’s FREE.  Lunch is provided and mileage will be reimbursed.  Get on the invitation list by sending an e-mail to ccrosthwaite@saclibrary.org .

Southern CaliforniaServing with a Purpose Conference
Wednesday, May 22 – 9 am – 4 pm – Ontario Convention Center (free parking)
$25 includes lunch, Keynote Speaker, Author presentation, panel discussion, breakout sessions & more -- for Friends, Trustees, Foundations, Volunteer Leaders and the staff who support them!
More information rhoklotubbe@santaclaritalibrary.com  

Bay AreaCoordinating Volunteers in Public Libraries
Tuesday, June 4 – 9:30 am – 2 pm – San Francisco Public Library
It’s FREE.  Lunch is provided and mileage will be reimbursed.  Register by sending an e-mail with your name, library and position to kaiwilson@sfpl.org .

P.S.  If you’re not a member of the “Get Involved: Powered by Your Library” listserv, you can keep up to date on all things library volunteers by sending an e-mail to carla.lehn@library.ca.gov and requesting to be added.

What's New for April 2013 New Resources

This month we present an assortment of terrific volunteer position descriptions.  Could you use folks to provide any of these great services?  Thanks so much to the libraries who have shared these!

Upcoming Get Involved Regional Network Volunteer Engagement Training Events Near You:

Northern California: Strategies for Sustainability: Building a Volunteer Program that Lasts Beyond You
Friday, May 17 -- 10 am – 3 pm (9 am coffee and networking) – Roseville Public Library
It’s FREE.  Lunch is provided and mileage will be reimbursed.  Get on the invitation list by sending an e-mail to ccrosthwaite@saclibrary.org.

Southern CaliforniaServing with a Purpose Conference
Wednesday, May 22 – 9 am – 4 pm – Ontario Convention Center (free parking)
$25 includes lunch, Keynote Speaker, Author presentation, panel discussion, breakout sessions & more -- for Friends, Trustees, Foundations, Volunteer Leaders and the staff who support them!
More information rhoklotubbe@santaclaritalibrary.com   Registration at this link:  http://host7.evanced.info/califa/lib/eventsignup.asp?ID=80

P.S.  If you’re not a member of the “Get Involved: Powered by Your Library” listserv, you can keep up to date on all things library volunteers by sending an e-mail to carla.lehn@library.ca.gov and requesting to be added.

 

What's New for February 2013 New Resources

The National Association of Counties (NACo), along with its affiliate, The National Association of Volunteer Programs in Local Government (NAVPLG) promotes volunteerism in local government and assists counties in their efforts to organize and expand volunteer programs. Working in almost every area of county government operations, volunteers enable local governments to provide more services to residents. This revised edition of The Volunteer Toolbox is part of NACo’s effort to provide local governments with information and resources to establish and expand volunteer programs.

P.S.  If you’re not a member of the “Get Involved: Powered by Your Library” listserv, you can keep up to date on all things library volunteers by sending an e-mail to carla.lehn@library.ca.gov and requesting to be added.

What's New for December 2012 New Resources

This month we’ve added an assortment of “Library Greeter/Concierge” volunteer position descriptions in use around the state:

Library Concierge – Roseville Public Library 

Library Greeter – Monrovia Public Library

Welcome Desk Volunteer – Tulare County Library

P.S.  If you’re not a member of the “Get Involved: Powered by Your Library” listserv, you can keep up to date on all things library volunteers by sending an e-mail to carla.lehn@library.ca.gov and requesting to be added.

 

What's New for November 2012 New Resources

This month’s focus is on some high skilled volunteer positions for library literacy programs:

Three high level volunteer positions in San Jose Public Library’s Literacy Program are:

Head Computer Coach – this leadership position coordinates a cadre of volunteer computer instructors for literacy students

Literacy Outreach Team Coordinator – This leadership position coordinates outreach activities that enhance the literacy program’s presence in the community.

Family Literacy Gift Giver – This position coordinates the distribution of children’s books and family materials to parents, guardians and children who participate in the Family Literacy program.

and here’s a Literacy Site Coordinator position description from the San Luis Obispo program.

P.S.  If you’re not a member of the “Get Involved: Powered by Your Library” listserv, you can keep up to date on all things library volunteers by sending an e-mail to carla.lehn@library.ca.gov and requesting to be added.

What's New for October 2012 New Resources

This month’s focus is on liability issues and background checks for volunteers:

Here are Huntington Beach’s Guidelines for Volunteers Working with Children which include a place for volunteers to sign that they understand what’s appropriate, and also, their background checks procedures.

From San Jose – Volunteer Fingerprinting Procedures.

Paso Robles City Library’s new Volunteer Handbook includes mission statement, objectives, expectations and policies and procedures. 

A brief document identifying some things to think about when considering implementing volunteer background checks

Q&A on Background Checks by John Patterson, Senior Program Director, Nonprofit Risk Management Center -- The Nonprofit Risk Management Center receives many questions concerning the screening of staff and volunteers using criminal history record checks. Criminal history record checks are important risk management tools but must not replace other risk management strategies designed to lessen the opportunity for abuse of vulnerable service recipients.

P.S.  If you’re not a member of the “Get Involved: Powered by Your Library” listserv, you can keep up to date on all things library volunteers by sending an e-mail to clehn@library.ca.gov and requesting to be added.

What's New for September 2012 New Resources

This month we have a treasure trove of things to share from the Huntington Beach Public Library – thanks, Monica and crew! --  starting with a volunteer position description for an “EBooks Coach” who helps patrons one-on-one to use their E-Book Reader to use the library’s collection.

These powerpoint slide decks were created for high skilled volunteers to deliver workshops in the library on:

    --  “Intro to the Internet”   

    --  “Applying for a Job Online” 

    --  “E-mail Basics

P.S.  If you’re not a member of the “Get Involved: Powered by Your Library” listserv, you can keep up to date on all things library volunteers by sending an e-mail to clehn@library.ca.gov and requesting to be added.