Are Volunteers Worth the Effort? Maximizing the Value of Volunteers in the Hospital Library

Abstract

Volunteers are ubiquitous in hospitals and can be a tremendous asset to solo-practice hospital librarians. They represent diverse backgrounds and interests; many are eager to interact with library users and patients; and they can offer suggestions for improvement based on success in earlier careers and community connections. With their aid, librarians receive assistance with routine tasks, such as processing of materials and shelving books. When these time-consuming but essential tasks are undertaken by volunteers, the librarian is freed to concentrate on library programming and other responsibilities that provide greater benefits to the hospital and patients. Retention of committed volunteers is enhanced by training, the freedom to take on specific responsibilities of their choosing, and recognition for their work.

Keywords:

• consumer health information hospitals
• hospital libraries
• libraries
• volunteer workers

The author thanks Children's Medical Center librarians Hannah Guthrie, Carol Miller, and Kristen DeSanto and Judy Einstein, Miriam Muallem, and Rodica Pop for their help with the study and this article; Melanie Medina, Susan Lakey, and Peter Assmann for their guidance in editing this article. The author also thanks the volunteers at Children's Medical Center for their continued support and efforts toward helping make life better for children.

Notes

Comments and suggestions should be sent to the Column Editors: Dixie A. Jones (E-mail:[email protected]) or Paul Blobaum (E-mail: [email protected])