I agree that there are situations and roles where volunteers can be a great
asset to the service. But I am against volunteer-run libraries.
As well as all the arguments about taking jobs from trained and skilled paid
staff, the volunteer-run community library is basically a book-swapping
service. Hardly a library as we understand it and see it in 21st century.
And most of all, even as a book swap, management by volunteers removes
public accountability from the service.
Can a volunteer-run library be transparently unbiased, and seen to be
available to all without fear or favour, where
every potential user can be sure of a confidential and non-judgemental
service?
Public service accountability is at least some kind of protection that
enables censorship or limited access to be challenged.
I suggest that a volunteer-run library cannot guarantee this, and this
undermines a fundamental attribute of a library in democratic society.
Liz Dubber
-----Original Message-----
From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Stephen Cook
Sent: 14 March 2012 14:26
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Volunteers in libraries
Some good points Lynda.
I am not a public librarian but have an opinion on what is going on all the
same.
There will be of course different contexts in which a volunteer is taken on.
I don't think anyone is against the concept of volunteering if it benefits
all the parties involved.
It is good that a volunteer can develop and acquire skills for future
employment. Who knows, it might be me one day. That it should also benefit
the recipient of their services as well means it's a win-win situation for
two of the parties involved. Maybe the only two. What we should not forget
is, if their services are used to fulfil a role that was previously occupied
by another party, the professional. Might we then be entitled to ask what is
going on?
If it is part of our duty to uphold the standards that the public should
expect from qualified librarians then the profession should be raising its
concerns when volunteers are being used to provide a service that they have
not been trained to give as it weakens the service we are supposed to uphold
by Royal Charter.
Also, if volunteers are being used to provide a service that would otherwise
cease to exist then might we also ask if that is setting a precedent. Why
aren't people employed to provide that service? Is it because the funds have
been withdrawn because the banks have been greedy and gambled recklessly?
Where would this strategy take us? No disrespect but who's to say there
aren't a vast array of Partnership and Development Managers waiting in the
wings to do a job on a volunteer basis or indeed my job?
Yesterday, the profession and those connected with it with members of the
public who have the foresight to see what is happening lobbied Parliament.
So let's not bury our heads in the sand and pretend it's not happening.
Libraries have closed whilst other libraries have been kept open through
volunteer labour. Why should our jobs suddenly become not worth paying for?
Why should the expected standard of service be lowered?
It's great that people volunteer to help in libraries but not at the expense
of diluting the service that a professionally qualified librarian originally
supplied in the first place. And why should Boris Johnson use taxpayers
money to buy into that concept?
Stephen Cook.
-----Original Message-----
From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Martin Lynda
Sent: 14 March 2012 11:35
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Volunteers in libraries
I am dismayed at the comments around volunteers in libraries. If
professional librarians see the recruitment of volunteers as a threat to
their role I suggest they must feel very insecure indeed. We have a massive
amount of support for libraries at the moment - it would be foolhardy to
ignore offers of help and not to work with our keen supporters. Librarians
should be at the forefront of this initiative - designing volunteer policy,
agreeing roles, planning training for themselves, staff and volunteers and
supporting the development of Library Friends Groups.
We have many volunteers in Cambridgeshire Libraries in a variety of roles -
they volunteer because they value and appreciate their library service - and
that includes the paid staff. Volunteers in Cambridgeshire understand their
roles, they are clear that they are there to add value to the service in a
clearly defined role.
For some of our volunteer roles (such as the 250 volunteers for the
Housebound Library Service) the service they deliver to (400+)people unable
to visit the library is much better than we could ever deliver ourselves as
it includes that very valuable element of time for a chat, as well as the
delivery of books and information.
Our Friends of Libraries groups (all volunteers) have recently done an
amazing job campaigning for libraries in Cambridgeshire - they have reversed
the Council proposal to move 13 libraries to community run libraries - and
we now have a new political emphasis on recognising libraries as community
hubs at the heart of their communities. Our Friends Groups are not only
strong and influential advocates for the library service, they also raise
substantial funds to improve and enhance the fabric and fittings in
libraries, they support library events, they hold their own social events
and they provide valuable insight into community need and priorities when
developing the service.
We need to respond effectively to the needs of young people who are eager to
volunteer to develop skills for career progression and employment
opportunities. I think we should devise an accredited library volunteer
course for young people - there are many valuable and transferable skills to
be acquired volunteering in libraries - to help young people at risk of
becoming NEET - and to possibly inspire a new generation of library staff
for the future.
We have had some exceptional volunteers - some with disabilities - who are
keen to give something back to the community and to help others - this has
helped to make our libraries more accessible, it has influenced design and
has enriched our appreciation and understanding of inclusion and equality.
Volunteering in IT roles in Cambridgeshire Libraries contributes in a major
way towards digital inclusion with our computer buddies, Community Access
Point volunteers and family history volunteers. Many of these volunteers
are older people helping their peers to engage with technology in libraries
and the advantages of shopping on line, email, Skype etc.
Volunteering in libraries also has a major role in contributing to health
and well being in a community,to safer and stronger communities, it delivers
economic, learning and employment benefits and opportunities, it can provide
cultural and creative opportunities and enrichment, it is a key element in
successful community engagement. If we don't embrace this opportunity we
risk becoming irrelevant and unresponsive to our communities, our partners
and politicians.
Lynda Martin
Partnership and Development Manager
Cambridgeshire Libraries
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