Volunteer

Fern Ridge Library asks volunteers to give their talents and energy to supplement and complement the staff.  This frees staff to initiate new and innovative programs.  A benefit of a successful program can result in volunteers becoming public advocates for the library and its services.

Volunteer Application
If you would like to volunteer, fill out a volunteer application (available at the circulation desk) and return it to the library. The Volunteer Coordinator will call you to set up an appointment.

Volunteer Code
Volunteers will…
1. Not discriminate against or refuse service to anyone.

2. Show respect to each other, their supervisors, and the library- its goals and mission.

3. Be expected to respect patrons’ and coworkers’ privacy and keep all records confidential.

4. Take responsibility for duties as assigned; and not undertake tasks or perform services, which are beyond their level of experience or training.

5. Present themselves on the job in a neat, well-groomed manner in regards to your job.

6. Be expected to refrain from arguing, shouting, or causing physical harm to each other and patrons.

7. Be safety conscious.

8. Volunteers are expected to contribute positively to a work environment that is free from unwelcome overtures, advances, or coercion, by or to any volunteer, employee, or member of the public using library facilities or attending a library program.  Please bring any matter of this nature to the attention of the volunteer coordinator, so that immediate corrective action can be taken.

Volunteer Procedures
We ask that volunteers...
1.  Promptly report, through proper channels, problems, concerns, and injuries. Staff will deal with this in a professional manner quickly and efficiently.

2. Seek assistance for any problems beyond their bounds of authority.

3. Notify the volunteer coordinator in advance of any planned absences such as vacations, jury duty, or leaves of absence.  In case of illness, injury, loss of transportation, or any other reason, we ask that you, a friend, or other family member notify us as soon as possible.

4. Take breaks in the break room.

5. Wear a volunteer tag while performing their assignment, unless they are working in the back room.  This identifies them visually to library patrons as a volunteer.

6. Receive an annual informal feedback session with the volunteer coordinator to acknowledge accomplishments, make suggestions for improvements, and to solicit the volunteer’s evaluation of training, work assignment, and supervision.

What you can expect from us: Appreciation!
Supervision:  Your supervisor or the volunteer coordinator will provide you with job training and some supervision.  It is important for you to be able to work independently.  If you have any questions regarding your work, please ask your supervisor.

Documentation:  Records of all time volunteered at the library are kept.  Please make sure you log your time in half hour increments on the calendar each time you volunteer.

Recognition:  The library will recognize you for your service in a variety of ways.

Volunteer Job Descriptions
1. Shelving books & other materials:  Filing materials to go back on the shelf.

2. Shelf reading:  Reading the shelves for accuracy.  We have shelf reading parties quarterly.

3. Book Covering:  Covering new materials, paperbacks and hardbacks.  This does require manual dexterity.

4. Book Repair:  Using trained methods of fixing broken books such as, gluing and sewing and also requires manual dexterity.

5. Magazine collection:  Checking in received subscription and donated magazines and processing them.  Also assisting staff in pulling old magazines and labeling shelves.

6. Paperback collection:  Processing new donated paperbacks and putting returned ones back on the shelf.

7. Computer work:  This ranges from data entry, cataloging materials, to graphic design.

8. Creating displays:  This would include holiday decorating, special displays, and the bulletin boards.

9. Light maintenance:  Doing various jobs, things that need special attention.

10. Cassette/Video Repair:  Special skills are required.  Knowledge of how tapes work and possible previous experience.

11. Helping with activities

Preschool Story time (Wednesdays 10:30)
Children’s Arts & Craft Time (1st Saturday of each month, 1 p.m.)
Summer Reading Program/other youth programs
Programs for adults (Community Programs)

12. Changing the reader board for upcoming programs.

13. Help with preprocessing of materials:  This includes stamping books, writing information on tapes, CDs, and DVDs, or placing into cases.

14. Pulling expired books off of the new bookshelf and removing the dots.

15. Volunteers can join special groups and committees:  Safety, Technology, and Grants Committee, Community Programs Committee, Friends of the Library, Fern Ridge Library Foundation, and the Fern Ridge Library Board.

16. Special projects that are assigned by the Volunteer Coordinator or the Fern Ridge Library Staff.

**Most volunteers are expected to do some shelving unless you have any physical limitations.  Volunteering should be a mutually rewarding experience for both you, as the volunteer, and the library.  In order to gain volunteer status complete 2 hours of service and maintain 1 hour of service a month.