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
Dewey? Sure we Do - San Bernardino County Library
Introduction to Dewey Decimal system for volunteer training.
Job Specific Volunteer Training Dewey, Shelving, Training 2011
Dewey Decimal Quiz - San Bernardino County Library
Quiz used in training for shelving volunteers. See also, "Dewey Quiz Answers," and "Do We Dewey? Sure We Do"
Job Specific Volunteer Training Dewey, Shelving, Training 2011
Dewey Quiz Answers - San Bernardino County
Answers to quiz used in training for shelving volunteers. See also, "Dewey Decimal Quiz," and "Do We Dewey? Sure We Do"
Job Specific Volunteer Training Dewey, Shelving, Training 2011
Adult Literacy Students Giving Back
In this 5- minute video, be inspired by adult literacy students in San Jose who are giving back to their community.
Engaging High Impact Volunteers adult literacy, Video 2011
Getting Management Buy In for Volunteers
Volunteerism consultant Susan Ellis gives tips for staff on steps to take to get management on board with and supportive of the volunteer program.
Engaging Staff and Unions 2011
What Leaders of Volunteers Can Do to Gain Executive Attention
A list of steps to take when trying to engage senior management in understanding the importance of the volunteer program by Susan J. Ellis of… more
Engaging Staff and Unions staff buy-in, Staff Resistance 2011
Build a Better Volunteer Engagement Program
Brush off the cobwebs, clean out the closets, and check for cracks. Have you ever wondered if your volunteer engagement program is using all of the… more
Volunteer HandbooksEngaging High Impact VolunteersOn-line Volunteer RecruitmentVolunteerMatch Tools and Resources Recruitment, management 2010
Staff Training Syllabus - San Jose, CA
Learning objectives used to train staff at San Jose Public Library on working with high impact volunteers in four 2-hour sessions. See also, a… more
Staff Training staff training 2010
Reimagining Service in California- Karen Baker
Karen Brown, Secretary of Service and Volunteering in California, discusses trends in skilled volunteering at the Get Involved: Powered By Your… more
Capacity BuildingEngaging High Impact VolunteersStaff Training Video, trends 2010
Getting Staff Buy-In for Volunteer Engagement - San Jose
Tips for successfully gaining Staff Buy-In for Volunteer Engagement developed by San Jose Public Library.
Engaging Staff and UnionsStaff Training 2010
Collaborating with Unions to Engage Volunteers - San Jose
Tips for collaborating with the union for volunteer engagement developed and used successfully by San Jose Public Library.
Engaging Staff and Unions Unions 2010
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
Engaging Volunteers in Leadership Positions- St. Helena Public Library- TLA50 Video
St. Helena Public Library presentation on using boomer and older adult volunteers in leadership roles to expand adult programming and build library… more
Baby BoomersCapacity BuildingStaff Training Video, adult volunteers, adult programming 2010
Action Words for Use in Position Description Development - San Jose
A terrific list of action words to assist when preparing volunteer position descriptions.
Staff Guides for Working with VolunteersEngaging High Impact Volunteers Position Descriptions 2010
Partners in Reading Leadership Team, San Jose, CA
In this 2-minute interview with Judy Klikun, you will learn about engaging volunteer leaders, building teams and developing advocates for the library.
Capacity BuildingEngaging High Impact Volunteers adult literacy, Video, leadership team, team leaders, tutor 2010
Computer Coach Training - Huntington Beach Public Library
Training provided to Huntington Beach Public Library's volunteer Computer Coach program. See also, Computer Coach volunteer position… more
Job Specific Volunteer Training computer coach, Training 2010
Getting Staff on Board- Story Time Conductors
Former Roseville library director Rachel Delgadillo talks about how she worked with her Children's Librarians to overcome their resistance to… more
Capacity BuildingEngaging Staff and UnionsStaff Training Video, Staff Resistance, Storytime, children's services 2010
Confidentiality and Other Objections to Volunteers
Susan Ellis writes eloquently on how to overcome staff objections to volunteer engagement.
Engaging Staff and Unions staff buy-in 2009
Volunteer Assessment and Selection- Jennifer Rackow
As part of a day-long training, Jennifer Rackow helps you assess and select the best candidates to become volunteers in your program. Search for… more
Capacity BuildingEngaging High Impact VolunteersInterviewing VolunteersStaff Training Video, volunteer selection 2009
Library Directors discuss Union Issues and Staff Buy-In
Early in the Get Involved initiative we determined that the two biggest potential internal barriers to moving toward engagement of skilled volunteers… more
Engaging Staff and Unions Unions, Staff Resistance, staff buy-in 2009