Every board and head librarian should take time to consider the benefits of having a volunteer program in their library. Volunteers possess many talents from their varied backgrounds and their contacts in the community can be helpful.
Many libraries make use of volunteers for a variety of tasks.
Volunteers are probably used more in the smaller libraries where there is a more informal operating system and budgets are limited. A board needs to be really interested and committed to the idea of a volunteer program before deciding to use volunteers. Some boards will actively plan for one, others not. Keeping all the possibilities active will assure the most effective library service possible. Trustees considering establishment of a volunteer program will wish to determine the need, speculate on the value of the program, develop policy, be sure the head librarian and staff will make the program work, assist in recruitment of volunteers through trustees' connections in the community, insist on a plan for the program, build in evaluation and provide for a reward system for the volunteers.