Calling All Volunteers

Here it is July 31.  School is fast approaching.  Many parents have mixed emotions about the school year beginning and will deeply miss the summer's opportunity to spend extra time with their kids.  Other parents haven't had the opportunity to be home with their kids this summer and will be grateful to get their kids back into "routine."  All parents want to stay connected with their children, and regardless of work schedule, volunteer opportunities allow parents to be a part of their children's school community.

There are many ways a parent could help in the library.  Here are a few, but I am sure past volunteers could point out many needs that I may overlook:

• Shelving returned materials is the least glamorous and most necessary job in the library.  Just like dirty dishes and laundry, books don't shelve themselves.  I could conceivably use a parent volunteer every morning or afternoon.
• Preparing date due cards is an activity parents could do on weekends or evenings at home.  Each school day requires a new set of cards, so this is needed from the beginning of school until mid-April, when we usually have enough prepared to finish the school year.
• Running the circulation desk.  Parents could check in and check out materials to students while I engage in other tasks- helping students find materials, teaching, cataloging, consulting with administrators or other teachers, breakfast duty, lunch duty, planning.  It would be wonderful if our library could be open from 8:30 to 3:20 each day without closure for any reason.  Volunteers are needed for this to happen.
• Covering new books.  I have been a librarian for 30+ years and still cannot put on a decent book cover.  If you are a precise person who enjoys crafty-type activities, this job could be for you.
• Labeling the picture book and fiction sections for Reading Counts.  Sadly, after at least 5 years of using Reading Counts, the fiction and picture book sections have not been labeled.  
• Creating seasonal or theme-based library displays. Kids always want books about holidays or certain sports.  Displays help the children access books and also create interest.
• Helping on Open Library Nights. This year I would like to bring back open library night and expand its scope to include STEAM activities, book clubs and preschool storytimes.  I cannot do this without help. 
• Volunteering with the Book Fairs.  There are many opportunities to help during the book fair.  We always need help when the kindergarten through second grade students are making their wish lists.  In addition, we need at least three helpers every morning, and usually one or two after school and during open evenings.  Help is needed to prepare for the fair, readying materials to send home to parents.  Setup and tear down help is also needed.
• Being my teacher helper.  I very seldom use "seat work" when teaching skills classes.  Most of the skills lessons involve location or using laptops to find information in the library database and then using that information in some purposeful way.  Extra hands are always nice.  Teacher helpers can prepare materials, too.

I am excited for this school year and am looking forward to seeing you and your children soon.  I hope there will be a volunteer opportunity that is right for you, but regardless, I look forward to working with you to make your child's school year the very best!

To contact me, you can email me at lsmartin@k12.wv.us or call or text me at (304) 873-6452.  I will respond as soon as possible.