A Volunteer-Run Library in Rural Ohio and a Proposal to Add Volunteers In San Jose

Whitehouse Community Library grows, fills a calling. Branch adding programs on 'shoestring'. (Toledo Blade, 5/29/2012)

Excerpt: Without any tax dollars funding its day-to-day operations, the library is staffed by 40 volunteers, and it relies on donations to keep its shelves stocked. 

It's a community library -- one that has a small-town feel since the building at 10651 Waterville St. was several mobile school classrooms. 

But at a time when many school librarians are being laid off and public library hours are getting cut, Whitehouse library trustees said they are proud their programs are growing this year. 

"I'm very saddened by the status of libraries. … Libraries are not being funded in the way they need to be. That's crucial," said trustee DeAnna Bradley, a retired media specialist and librarian for Toledo, Anthony Wayne, and Springfield schools. "We're kind of filling a niche." 

This summer, Whitehouse's library is adding a summer reading program for 13 to 17-year-olds.

The impetus for this project occurred in 1998 after the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library chose not to site a branch in Whitehouse.

A San Jose councilman wants to run with a variation of this idea.

San Jose Councilman Envisions Volunteer-Run Libraries. (San Jose Mercury News, 11/21/2011)

Excerpt: An idea to help out cash-strapped libraries in San Jose is being met with both praise and criticism after a city councilman suggested the libraries replace retiring city workers with volunteers.

Councilman Pierluigi Oliverio suggests that his plan could not only save the libraries money, but possibly allow them to be open more than the current four days each week. He said that using volunteers would not lead to any lay offs. 

Snarky comment:  Applications now being taken for Volunteer Coordinator. Part-time position, no benefits.

Here's Oliverio's approach to running a library.



Apparently, he's unaware of the planning and development required in providing self-service @ the library.

Libraries -- The San Jose Way.  (Library Journal, 5/15/2009)

Excerpt:  San José Public Library has developed an innovative service model that responds to our customers’ needs while keeping staffing costs down. Our model has four guiding principles:

1. Customers first.
2. Teach customers.
3. Reinvent environments.
4. Enable staff.

Unfortunately, the City of San Jose has been struggling financially during the past few years.

Related posts.
'Bookless' in San Jose is no cause for celebration.  (2/21/2012)
Early look at gloom-and-doom scenario for San Jose's FY12 budget.  (9/21/2011)
That was 2000, this is 2011.  (7/12/2011)

San Jose mayor's budget proposal would keep branch libraries open 5 days a week. (6/5/2010)