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[asmallwonder]

Has anyone or does anyone volunteer at the library (any branch)? Or does anyone WORK for the library and have some insight into what possible volunteer experiences are like?

I'm interested in volunteering and I was kind of curious what I would exactly be doing. Also, how much of a time commitment they generally expect.

Thanks for any info.

Comments

[pofftart]

Seconded!

[curious_hair]

I work at one of the CLP branches... We have volunteers who put in a few hours week (one is a cyber-school kid, who will do stuff when he's bored with schoolwork) to those who've done 6-7 hour days over a week or two. Experiences will differ from branch to branch, but most of the projects you'd work on would be on the menial side of the fence - stamping/stickering books, preparing things for programs, withdrawing items, missing item searches - and it would be very unlikely that you would have much patron contact.

See: http://carnegielibrary.org/about/support/volunteer/ for applications and contact info or check with your local branch.

[asmallwonder]

that actually sounds like what my expectation was. thank you for the reply!

[lee_savage]

I can second the above. In our branch the volunteers are fairly rare, but when they do come in, it's mostly low level, low stress type stuff. Sometimes they help reset our meeting rooms and do the things listed above. Others might be different, but our branch is fairly laid back. The best thing to do is just get in touch and ask them what they'd expect of you.

[curious_hair]

No problem. :)

[cybele18]

I worked/volunteered for many years at Lauri Ann West. Most of that time was spent shelving. It was actually quite a nice mental break from school and such, because after shelving for a while it basically becomes second nature. At LAW, and i think maybe at other smaller branches, there is no formal application. Just call the circulation desk and tell them that you are interested.

[miusheri]

I volunteered at the USC Library many years ago, once a week, for about an hour or two at a time. They would have me shelf-read the children's section, which- as you can imagine- needed constant maintenance.

They were a very laid-back group. As I said, I went once a week, but if I was sick or had exams to study for, no big deal.