The library is one of the most popular locations where students spend free time on campus. Although people may not see the library as more than a place to do homework or hang out with friends after school, maintaining a library is a lot of work. It’s more work than the librarians, Adrienne and Eric, can do alone, so they worked together to create a library program where students can volunteer and help. Before 2020, adults would volunteer to help in the library. In the 2020 – 2021 school year, during COVID-19, students were allowed back on campus, but parents were still not allowed to come back and the library was still closed. When parents were invited back in the following years, many volunteers’ children had graduated or their work schedules had changed, and only one parent at a time was allowed to come in and help. Adrienne knew that she had always wanted student helpers in the library, but was struggling to find a way to start a program.
And in March of 2023, she went to a conference where a Canadian librarian was giving a talk about having students volunteer in the library. Afterwards, she shared the resources she had developed with Adrienne, who then successfully pitched the program at Friends.“Librarians try to give people what they need,” Adrienne said as she described the generosity of her fellow librarian. When Adrienne returned from the conference, she began planning for the program during the start of this school year.
If students are interested in the volunteer program, they need to go through the application process. The first part of the process is an interview, where Adrienne describes the purpose of the program and explains more information about why it is so helpful. She also explains the type of work involved. Afterwards, there is a short test in which the applicant must put unorganized books on a shelf in the correct order. This test shows the applicant’s skill level in shelving books. An applicant must have a regular time that they can come in every cycle, once every two weeks, for thirty minutes. There is a spreadsheet that students have access to, which has a list of tasks that people have either completed or started. This spreadsheet is where Adrienne, Eric, and Krystyna, the lower school librarian, put in tasks which they need help with. When a student volunteer comes in for their scheduled time, they open the document and see what needs to be done. The duties involved are relatively simple or quick, such as putting stickers on books, reshelving, or scanning books. It is work that involves lots of organization and consistency.
To apply for the program, you do not need to be a book lover or someone who reads. It is an opportunity for people who love to organize and be part of something. Adrienne described the program as “knowing how to show up and do what you said you were going to.” It is a great opportunity to demonstrate independence and responsibility. By coming in when you say you are going to and getting tasks done, you are helping move the entire group forward, even if it is as simple as putting a label onto something. This program isn’t a massive commitment; it is just thirty minutes a cycle that will make a large difference to the whole library and community.
If you are interested and in 8th grade or above, email Adrienne, [email protected], or come find her in the library.