Re: TARGET: Volunteer Pros and Cons

[maria perlinda shelton <mshelton@UNM.EDU>]

I have had adult volunteers in all of the Media Centers where I have worked
I believe that they are a wonderful asset to the school.  They are role
models for students and they provide quite a bit of assistance to me as
the library media specialist.  I generally find their strengths and put
them to work using their strengths and interests.  I have a couple of
grandparents who are taking care of files that I maintain for the school
and for the library.  She was a former secretary and he really enjoys
alphabetizing, etc.  It works out great.  I have another volunteer who is
very good at covering paperback books.  I have another who is developing
a database for textbook inventory .  However, it is difficult if you have
volunteers who do not want to get the essential work done.  Generally, I
have student assistants who shelve books and maintain the circulation
desk.  I have had volunteers who find it demeaning to have to shelve and
things like that.  So there are pros and cons.
Perlinda Shelton

On Mon, 8 Apr 1996, Kimberly Parnell wrote:

> I am looking for information about the pros and cons of having
> adult volunteers in the media center.  I would greatly
> appreciate any information that you have and any negative
> or positive experiences that you have had.
>
> ***************************************************************
> Kimberly L. Parnell
> klp4740@mailer.fsu.edu
> Florida State University Graduate Student
> Kimberly L. Parnell
>