[nabs-l] library volunteer jobs and techniques

[Kaiti Shelton]

Hi Ashley,

Why not schedule an informative interview with someone in the library
who does the hiring?  Imformative interviews would give you the chance
to ask them the questions and together you could gain a sense of what
you can and would not be able to do without sighted assistance.  You
can also brainstorm with the person to see if the work might be
distributed differently; for example, if you are able to take in book
returns or pick them up from the drop off areas someone else could be
in charge of searching for books and doing the stuff that requires
print reading.  It could be as simple as shuffling responsibilities
around a little to make the job accessible for everyone.

Good luck, and I hope this suggestion is helpful.

On 5/7/15, James Hulme via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Hello Ashley,
>
> I have several suggestions for you. You can only continue to improve on
> your skills with the talking book library you might need more sighted
> assistance when it comes to handling tasks done throughout a library. For
> example, in your local community. In my community in the Garden State, they
> have moved some of the events for libraries to mobile devices and apps. You
> might want to give that a try first before working in a library. I would
> recommend to you that you have excellent organizational skills in order to
> fulfill the necessary tasks at a library. You might want to contact the
> library in your own state/province to find out if they have any talking
> books available.
>
> I hope I was able to give you some suggestions for you to opine at your
> leisure.
>
> Good Luck to you for your future is becoming brighter.
>
> Jimmy Hulme
> Continuing Education Student
> Former Member of the National Association of Blind Students (2007-2011)
> Current Member of the National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey
> Technology Division
> Active Member of N.F.B. of NJ-At-Large Chapter
> Please feel free to find me on social media at:
> FB: Jimmy.Hulme1
> Twitter: @JimHulmeLookout
> Skype: jimh885
> Blog: Blog1 <http://jhulme.blogspot.com/>
>
>
>
> On Thu, May 7, 2015 at 7:37 PM, Ashley Bramlett via nabs-l <
> nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>
>> Hi all,
>>
>> Well, since I use the library, I want to give back.
>> Anyone volunteered at their local library?
>> When I was in high school, I did my community service hours at our access
>> service branch which
>> has the talking books. I performed checks on the tapes. I had to open all
>> containers, rewind tapes, and place tapes in correct order. Many tapes
>> were
>> not in order!
>> I enjoyed my time helping the talking book library.
>> Now that we have gone digital, that opportunity at access service does
>> not
>> exist.
>>
>> 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.
>>
>> I know I cannot do some of this like searching for books for patrons.
>> But maybe I can do something?
>>
>> Thanks for ideas.
>> Ashley
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-- 
Kaiti