The mission of the Shenandoah County Library System is to enrich the quality of life in the community by providing residents with access to the world of ideas, information and creative experience. The Library anticipates and responds to the community’s needs for information; develops and maintains an environment where lifelong habits of learning, self-improvement, and self-expression are encouraged; and offers patrons a place to meet their educational, informational and recreational needs. The library responds to the needs of users by providing friendly, professional services and well-trained staff/volunteers; well-organized and up-to-date materials and collections and inviting buildings. As part of this mission, each volunteer’s/staff’s goals are:
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To augment and enhance the services provided by the library
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To assist in involving the community-at-large in library activities
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To positively promote volunteerism
To obtain these goals, the following objectives have been established:
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There will be active recruitment of volunteers to be trained and engaged in each location to meet the most critical needs of that library
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The System’s Director, Library Board or paid staff will meet with groups interested in volunteering opportunities to share information and recruit volunteers
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Volunteer training will be coordinated through paid staff of the Library System, and training needs will be assessed to provide continuing support to volunteers within our program
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The SCLv Volunteer Program will strive to provide meaningful volunteer opportunities that will benefit volunteers as well as SCLS
The libraries are public buildings. Volunteers and staff represent the Library System. Please be courteous to all patrons and those working/volunteering with you. Your appearance and attitude reflect the image of the libraries.
Each prospective volunteer must fill out an age-appropriate Volunteer application. Applications will be reviewed for an appropriate work assignment based on ability, skills, and knowledge. The receipt of an application does not imply that the applicant will be engaged by Shenandoah County Library System.
The Volunteer Trainer and/or Manager of each library will conduct an orientation to familiarize new volunteers with the layout of the library. The Volunteer Trainer will conduct on-the-job training. Support will be provided for the volunteer until both the trainer and the volunteer agree that the volunteer can work independently on the task(s) assigned. Additional support for all volunteers is provided by the Shenandoah County Library Staff.
Volunteers are responsible for immediately notifying their manager if they cannot meet their schedule. Staff should notify their supervisor. Any planned, extended absence should be discussed in advance so that substitutions can be made.
The Library has insurance for injuries that occur while performing assigned work or while participating in travel that is required by the library. (This does not cover travel to and from home) Volunteers or staff must inform their Manager/Director immediately of any on-the-job accident in which they are involved. A written report should be prepared as soon as possible and given to their Manager/Director. If an accident involving a patron is witnessed by staff, s(he) should report the incident to the Manager/Director. A written report should be prepared.
All patron information is considered confidential. You may not share or discuss information about a patron or volunteer except with Library Personnel.
The public access computers are only available when the library is open to the public. Staff and volunteers may not use them when the library is closed. The computers at the circulation stations are to be used only for library business.
Each library has a limited number of phone lines. The phone should be used only for library business.
The library has a FAX machine and a copier for the convenience of the public. A fee is charged to send and/or receive a FAX. Staff/Volunteers sending/receiving a personal FAX or using the copy machine should pay the same fee as the public.
When at the circulation desk, please monitor the conduct of patrons. One person’s conduct should not be allowed to interfere with another’s use of the library.
The Shenandoah County Library System retains the right to terminate the services of a volunteer or staff member when it is appropriate to do so. Grounds for dismissal are:
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Repeated absences from work and absences without proper notification
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Violation of library policies and procedures
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Theft or misuse of library materials and supplies
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Threatened or actual physical violence
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Profane or abusive language
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Use, possession, or being under the influence of alcohol or drugs, except as prescribed by a doctor and taken in accordance with instructions