[Community-service] service at libraries

[nfoster at extremezone.com]

Ashley:

I volunteer at my local library, but I just lead a book club.  I like to read
and I'm good at leading the discussions, so that's what I do.

Please keep us posted; I would love to hear how you manage other volunteer
positions in a library.

Nella
Quoting Ashley Bramlett via Community-service <community-service at nfbnet.org>:

> Hi all,
>
> Well, since I use the library, I want to give back.
> Please tell me if you served the library and how you did it.
>
> I use the access services branch which houses talking books and I use
> the other public libraries. You may wonder how or why? After all its mostly
> print books!
>
> The public library has several online databases, and some are accessible.
> They include online magazines and encyclopedias as well as business journals
> in databases like Abi and general one file.
> I also use the cd and dvd collection. Of course dvds have on screen menus
> that I have sighted help with at home to set up.
> The cds have a variety of content. Commercial audio books, music, and my
> favorite thing, audio lectures from well known scholars and lecturers, are
> what is on the cds. I love the lectures so if I do not want to take a full
> class on a subject, but want to enhance my knowledge on say, music history, I
> can do that free with the lectures.
>
>
>
> So my question.
> Do you think I could help the circulation department?
> I thought of helping with the english conversation groups for ESL speakers
> who meet weekly to practice english, but right now it seems like most jobs
> are for circulation support. The circulation department manages materials
> which patrons check out or in other words, material which circulates to the
> public.
>
> The description is as follows.
>
> May assist with any of the following, or similar tasks: processing returns,
> book drop and daily delivery of materials; completing customer maintenance;
> searching for items to be reserved for library customers; processing
> periodicals and newspapers. Electronically reports volunteer hours promptly
> and accurately.
>
> That is the description. I know I cannot read call numbers to search for
> patron reserve requests. But I’m wondering if I can do something in the
> databases to clean up records or process records.
> I do not know what customer maintenance means, so I’ll ask them.
>
> The description is also very vague so I am unclear what exactly the duties
> are for processing materials.
> The duties do not list mending and cleaning books. But if that is something
> circulation staff and volunteers do, I can assist there. Mending simply means
> repairing books with glue and tape if they have minor tears.
>
>
> Thanks for any ideas and encouragement!
>
> Ashley