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
Volunteer Recruitment Activities
Good overview of recruitment ideas in a 3 & 1/2 minute video. Check it out to see if you're missing a piece of the puzzle.
Staff Training Recruitment 2025
Multi-Generational Panel on Volunteering
This March 2025 panel of volunteers from varying generations provides some keen insights into engaging each group. This event was produced by the… more
Baby BoomersStaff Training generations, Gen X, Gen Y, Gen Z, Millenials 2025
Where Do I Go From Here? Engage Volunteers in New Ways
This 1 hour webinar was presented for the Get Involved initiative by Jennifer Bennett, Director of Education and Training at VolunteerMatch on… more
Capacity BuildingStaff Training Recruitment, strategic planning 2025
Engaging Gen Alpha to the Silent Generation: Volunteer Strategies for Nonprofits
This brief article gives a great description of each generation along with what defines them and tips for engaging each in volunteering.
Baby BoomersStaff Training generations, Gen X, Gen Y, Gen Z, Millenials, Gen Alpha 2025
6 HR Strategies for Nonprofits to Enhance Volunteer-Staff Collaboration
A quick read with ideas on maximizing volunteer-staff interactions.
Staff TrainingEngaging Staff and Unions Staff Resistance, staff buy-in, volunteer staff relations 2025
Social Media and Volunteer Engagement
This is the 30 minute recording of Jennifer Bennett’s March 2025 presentation on utilizing social media in your library volunteer engagement efforts… more
On-line Volunteer Recruitment social media, Recruitment 2025
Preparing for an Internship Program - Indianapolis IN
Attached are a treasure trove of documents that will help to establish and/or update your library's internship efforts. Many thanks to Wendy Johnson… more
Capacity BuildingEngaging High Impact Volunteers intern, internship 2025
Is Everyone Welcome? Tools to Broaden Volunteer Engagement
The "Is Everyone Welcome Toolkit" aims to support leaders of volunteers to be more equitable in their practice so more people feel welcome in the… more
Staff TrainingEngaging High Impact VolunteersCapacity Building diversity, equity, inclusion 2025
Statement on Artificial Intelligence - Indianapolis Public Library
Statement on AI from the leadership team of the Indianapolis Public Library - February 2025.
Staff Training AI, Artificial Intelligence 2025
Why Your Library Needs a Reading Dog
In 2010, the University Of California - Davis completed a study on reading dog programs, which found that readers who participated in a 10-week… more
Staff TrainingJob Specific Volunteer Training Pet Therapy, dog, reading 2025
VolunteerMatch Boot Camp: Recruiting 101
This webinar presents ways to get the most from your VolunteerMatch account, and how to use some of their new tools.
On-line Volunteer RecruitmentVolunteerMatch Tools and ResourcesCapacity Building Recruitment 2025
Engaging Youth Volunteers: How Young People are Showing up in Service
2025 Galaxy Digital webinar on youth volunteers.
Millennials Youth, Teens, young adult 2025
Volunteer Value Beyond Numbers, Hours and Dollars
A great summary from Sue Carter Kahl of alternatives we can use beyond just numbers, hours, and dollars to measure the value of volunteer engagement.
Staff Training ROI 2024
Successful Volunteer Interview Strategies
This webinar was delivered October 15, 2024 by Jennifer Bennett, Director of Education and Training at VolunteerMatch. She discussed why interviews… more
Staff TrainingInterviewing Volunteers Interview Questions, interview 2024
Bibliography on Volunteer Engagement
Bibliography and Web Resources on Volunteer Engagement developed by Carla Lehn
Capacity BuildingStaff Training bibliography, Lehn 2024
Creating a Diverse Volunteer Pool
This is the recording of the May 23, 2024 – Get Involved Live Zoom Conversation: Creating a Diverse Volunteer Pool. An excellent discussion for… more
Staff TrainingCapacity Building diversity, equity, inclusion 2024
How to Write Volunteer Surveys for Big Impact
Guidelines for creating your best surveys from VolunteerPro.
Staff Training surveys 2024
Volunteer Recognition Ideas Across Generations
Ways to think about the types of recognition you provide for different generations of volunteers.
Baby BoomersMillennialsStaff Training recognition, generations 2024
Engaging Position Descriptions for Boomers and Future Generations of Volunteers
A great list of dynamic words and catchy titles to use when describing your volunteer opportunities! – created by MAVA (Minnesota Alliance for… more
Baby BoomersEngaging High Impact Volunteers job descriptions 2024
Tips for Creating an Online Opportunity that Connects with Volunteers
VolunteerMatch's suggestions for how to make your volunteer opportunities postings "pop" and get more attention from potential volunteers.
VolunteerMatch Tools and ResourcesStaff TrainingOn-line Volunteer Recruitment 2024