Library Volunteers: NYT Ethicist Column by Randy Cohen

From a library listserv:

Interesting question and answer in the New York Times Magazine, Sunday, August 29, page 17, The Ethicist by Randy Cohen that concerns library volunteers. From the article:
The Ethicist
Library Volunteers
By RANDY COHEN
Published: August 27, 2010

Community members have responded to our towns tight budget by volunteering at the library, so much so that the library laid off several long-term full-time employees, people who are our friends and neighbors. Having fewer municipal employees means a slight reduction in property taxes for everyone, but it harms those left jobless. Should town residents consider that before volunteering? NAME WITHHELD, NEW JERSEY"

He gives an analysis (remember, he is a humorist) and ends his answer
with:
"There is a sad limitation to this analysis: a laid-off library employee is not apt to be hired to teach 11th-grade calculus. He or she will suffer; someone else will be hired. There are winners and losers here. And it would be unfortunate if this upsurge of civic virtue resulted in only a tiny reduction in some peoples property taxes, an outcome that thwarts the noble motives of those volunteers: to promote civic betterment by reallocating limited resources."

Read the full column with his analysis and answer.

Volunteer Opportunities at Albany Public Library

Albany Public Library Bookstore
Co-Volunteer Coordinator - Main Branch
"Bookends"

Job Description:
The Co-Volunteer will be responsible for supervising, training and scheduling volunteers in our bookstore and filling in shifts as needed. In addition the Co-Volunteer will assist volunteers as needed stocking and maintaining bookshelves and displays; electronic data entry; operating cash register and customer service.

Qualifications & Skills:
Demonstrate the ability to lead and manage the work of a team
Exhibit an innovative and creative approach to problem solving
Management experience
Training experience
Basic computer skills in excel
Retail experience
Strong interpersonal skills, particularly tact and courtesy in dealing with the public and other volunteers
Good sense of humor
Positive work attitude

Work Schedule:
Various shifts of 3 -4 hours are available between the following hours:
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 11 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

To apply:
Applications found on our web page www.albanypubliclibrary.org - "volunteer opportunities"

Complete application to volunteer and return to any library location or mail to:
Albany Public Library
Marjorie K. Reinhart
161 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12210
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Albany Public Library Bookstore

Volunteer Sales Associate- Main Branch
"Bookends"

Job Description:
Volunteers in this position will be responsible for stocking and maintaining bookshelves and displays; electronic data entry; operating cash register and customer service.

Qualifications & Skills:
Basic computer skills (excel preferred)
Retail experience
Strong interpersonal skills, particularly tact and courtesy in dealing with the public and other volunteers
Good sense of humor
Positive work attitude
Ability to work as part of a team

Work Schedule:
Various shifts of 3 -4 hours are available between the following hours:
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 11 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

To apply:
Applications found on our web page www.albanypubliclibrary.org - "volunteer opportunities"

Complete application to volunteer and return to any library location or mail to:
Albany Public Library
Marjorie K. Reinhart
161 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12210


--
Sarah Clark
Head of Readers' Services
Albany Public Library
161 Washington Ave.
Albany, NY 12210
(518) 427-4349

Calling All Volunteers

From Stephanie Simon, APL

If you love your neighborhood libraries and are looking for a way to get more involved with them, we have some great volunteer opportunities for you. Bookends, the used book store at the Main Library, is searching for a volunteer coordinator and volunteer sales associates. The store is currently open on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings from 5 to 7 pm. We're looking to expand those hours to provide better service to our customers, and a few great volunteers would help us do that. Here's a link to the volunteer job descriptions and application form.

Libraries and the President’s Summer of Service

June 3, 2009

The American Library Association has just been contacted by the White House in partnership with the Corporation for National & Community Service to get libraries involved in the President’s Summer of Service program, scheduled to launch on June 22, 2009.

Summer of Service is a “national coalition of major youth-serving organizations that are committed to engaging youth in service during the summer months and recognize the potential of youth to identify issues, develop projects, and provide lasting benefits to the communities in which they live through volunteer service.” Libraries and other organizations that work with youth ages 5 to 21 are encouraged to
participate.

Beginning the week of June 8, 2009, libraries and other organizations will be invited by the White House to list their local volunteer opportunities online. On June 22, the White House will announce the initiative to the public at large. The initiative will conclude on
September 11, 2009.

Although this timetable doesn’t provide much time to plan, we know that most libraries already have active volunteer programs, and wanted to provide a little bit more advance notice for libraries interested in participating in this exciting national initiative. Summer of Service presents a great opportunity for libraries of all types to involve young people as volunteers. This will also be a great opportunity to educate the public about the importance and vitality of America’s libraries, and gain new supporters advocating for your library.


The American Library Association will be disseminating information and resources as they become available. Stay tuned for volunteer ideas, best practices, resources, and ways to contribute your own information, ideas and stories at www.ala.org/summerofservice.

You can learn more about Summer of Service at http://www.nationalservice.gov/about/initiatives/summer.asp.


Sincerely,

Keith Michael Fiels
Executive Director
American Library Association