Success with Library Volunteers

Authored by professionals in school and public libraries, this work offers nine chapters to guide librarians in today's era of budget and staffing cuts successfully to recruit, use, and retain volunteers. Regardless of their type of library, readers will gain insight from the basics and information on everything from identifying volunteers to planning and evaluating effective use of these resources. Specific types of volunteers, such as Friends, youth, persons with disabilities, and partnerships are also explored, along with volunteer management information systems and the future of volunteers in libraries. Examples and guidance in creating one's own policies and practices will help all types of libraries to explore the use of volunteers, while those working in other fields may benefit from the ideas presented, too. The volume ends with a model of successful volunteering at the King County Library in Washington State for others to follow.