Hi
I am hoping for some help/information on the topic of motivations and
perceptions of volunteers in public libraries.
I'm currently an MSc in Library and Information Management student at the
University of Bristol. Before this I worked in public libraries and was
until recently a volunteer in a branch library. As a result of my interest I
am now working on my dissertation topic, which is looking at volunteers in
UK public libraries, with a focus on their motivations for volunteering in
public libraries as opposed to other volunteering opportunities. I also want
to look at how their perceptions might have changed since they volunteered
(i.e. thinking here of changes to public libraries since the introduction of
the People's Network etc)
My question is this - I seem to be able to find lots of research and
information on why people volunteer generally and separately also research
(i.e. the Resource report) on the type, quantity etc of volunteers across
the cultural sector. I can also find research on how volunteers in public
libraries should be managed (i.e. LA/CILIP guidelines or best practice) but
little on research, which has seems specifically focused on public library
volunteers' motivations or perceptions by interviewing public library
volunteers themselves with this emphasis in mind.
Is someone able to tell me whether I have missed a whole tranche of
literature or research project focusing specifically on this issue? I'd be
grateful for any comments.
Angie Dailey
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