Small libraries succeed with help of volunteers

By Linda Bell
Correspondent

Sandy Merritt said she can't even remember when she started volunteering at the Red Feather Lakes Library, but in that time she's seen a lot of change, and not only in the library's staff and building size.

"I've cataloged every new book into the library for at least the past 12 years," she said, "and when I started I had to type up the cards for the card catalog--one for title, one for author and usually several subject cards. It's a lot easier now. I just look up the book on the Library of Congress web site, either by its ISBN number or title, and file those references into our own computerized system along with our own barcode."

Merritt said she usually volunteers at the library on Monday, when it's closed, and she does everything from shoveling snow to scanning shelves, watering plants, covering new books, repairing books and checking for books that should be replaced.

"I like the social contact, it gets me out of the house, and it means something to me to be giving back to my community," Merritt said.

It's probably no coincidence that National Library Week and National Volunteer Week coincide from April 15 to 21.

Both Red Feather Lakes Community Library and Wellington Public Library started as volunteer initiatives--as did many other libraries, especially in rural areas of the United States. Both of these libraries continue to depend on volunteers to help in their day-to-day operations.

Gene Ann Trant, director for Wellington Public Library, said it started in a tiny apartment at the corner of Second and Cleveland in June 1979 and was staffed completely by volunteers for all of nine hours a week.

Trant said she still relies on three loyal volunteers, down from four because she recently hired one to be library clerk.

"They water plants, man the front desk, cover books, make copies, read shelves and much more," she said.

One of the Wellington library volunteers is in high school, Trant said, and she came in the library one day when she was in junior high to ask if she could help.

The mayor and Wellington Town Board appoint the library board, and Wellington has a very active Friends of the Library volunteer group that organizes book sales to aid library funding, Trant said.

Sarah Myers, director at Red Feather Lakes Community Library, said volunteers help run all aspects of the library, and they have done so since its inception in 1969.

"Our board is all-volunteer, and many of our library committees--book selection, program, policy and documents, finance, grant writing and strategic planning---have community members, plus there are approximately 33 desk volunteers and many others who help with the summer reading program."

Myers calculated that volunteers contributed 908 hours to the library in 2006. "Our volunteers work either alongside staff or on their own to check books in and out, sort and shelve, assist with special projects, create and maintain databases, demonstrate new technologies to the public, answer phones--and they created and installed our new landscaping," she said. "I think they enjoy knowing they contribute to a booming little library and further our mission to serve the community."

In addition, Myers said, an active Friends of the Library organizes both social events and book sales, along with other product sales, to help fund the library wish list.

For information on how to become a library volunteer call Trant at the Wellington Public Library, 568-3040, or Myers at Red Feather Lakes Community Library, 881-2664.