Library Volunteers Transition To New Roles!

Library volunteers assist throughout the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System with clerical duties, returning items to the shelves and tutoring. Over 500 volunteers a month help strengthen our resources available to patrons, but recently volunteers have impacted our system in other ways. Former Ocee Library teen volunteer, Josh Seides, founded the national nonprofit Technocademy when he was in the 9th grade! Recently he partnered with assistant branch manager Karen Kennedy at the Ocee Library to host the first session of their new segment called CodeKids to teach digital literacy. 

Technocademy has already reached over 150,000 seniors and is excited about expanding their work to help children. Two other former Ocee teen volunteers joined for the first of six computer programming classes for elementary and middle school kids. Seides served as a library volunteer from 2010-2013, Alice Tang served in 2011-2012 and Manu Poruthoor served in 2010-2011, but they are serving the library again to help teach 30 kids ranging from 3rd grade to 9th grade computer coding. Technocademy’s  highly skilled team will be providing hands-on Microsoft Office training for teens and adults this summer in the evening. Ocee staff are delighted to expand the Microsoft Office training sessions to reach additional teen and adult students seeking to enhance their digital literacy skills.

Other volunteers have transitioned to new roles as new part-time staff members. Sohna Harzeez started volunteering in 2014 at the East Atlanta Branch and is now working at the Central Library. Harzeez said, “I am able to see more of the inner workings of the library and am already making things easier for the Librarians.” Stephanie Bottom served as a volunteer at the Central Library and Hapeville Branch, but is now employed again as a part-time Library Associate with the Adamsville/Collier Heights Branch. Ellen Baxter is a library student who started volunteering at the Roswell Branch and transitioned into an internship with Collections Management at the Central Library before starting part-time back at the Roswell Branch. Baxter said, 

I am thrilled to be back in the library as an employee.  Volunteering, which I mainly did before being hired in 2011 and then after being laid off in 2014, has kept me connected to the library and to my love of literacy.  I love having a job where someone's day can be changed in an instant by obtaining a library card.  Working again within the library system also enhances my graduate studies in Library and Information Science and gives me more experience to bring to my studies and vice versa.

Are you interested in joining our wonderful group of volunteers? Visit the website to fill out an application and get started!

Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System Celebrates Its Volunteers

The value of volunteering topped $1.4 million at Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System for 2014, with 1,871 volunteers donating 64,962 hours valued at $1,498,662.27 in donated services! This is the seventh year library volunteer services have topped $1 million, and the theme of this year’s event was "Volunteers Help Write Our Story."

The 25th Annual Volunteer Recognition Award Program was held Saturday, April 25, during National Volunteer Month, with over 105 people in attendance. Special guest speakers included Fulton County Commissioner Joan Garner, District 4, who is also former Library Board trustee and Stephanie Moody, Chair of the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System Board of Trustees.

Library volunteers serve as English as a second language (ESL) teachers, homework help aides, math tutors, computer assistants, clerical assistants, children’s program aides, tax aides, special event hosts and more – in any of the Library System’s 34 branches. Volunteers with Friends of the Library groups are active in 26 branches and served over 23,000 hours last year.

Some highlights of the volunteer year include:

An increase over the previous year, 153 volunteers donated over 100 hours in 2014, including 50 who donated over 200 hours. Four volunteers donated over 1,000 hours in 2014. Five young adults and four teens won the President’s Volunteer Service Award.

Several volunteers reached milestones, including 31 volunteers who celebrated their 5-year service award, 16 volunteers who celebrated their 10-year service award, 6 volunteers who celebrated their 15-year service award, and one who celebrated 20 years of service. Fourteen volunteers received the Millennium Award for reaching a career total of over 1,000 hours!

Carol Harrison and Janice Tedford, volunteers with the Friends of the Roswell Library, both won the President’s Call to Service Award for reaching a career total of over 4,000 hours and with 1,289 of those hours being served in 2014, Carol was also the top hours volunteer with the highest hours for 2014. Additional winners included Laura Thompson who served 1,224 hours at the Sandy Springs Library, Ben Statham who served 1,216 hours and Gerrie Fornek who served 1,120 with the Friends of the Alpharetta Library.

There was also a dedication to volunteer Ben Statham who has broken every volunteer record and has served more than 20,000 hours since 1991. Twenty southern history books were purchased for the new Alpharetta Library and have book plates in honor of his service.

Four top hours’ volunteers presented a check for the $1,498,662.27 in donated services to the Interim Library Director Gayle Holloman, Board of Trustees Chair Stephanie Moody and Commissioner Joan Garner.

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

Image 1: Friends of the Alpharetta Library (FOTAL) celebrate their significant contribution in 2014 and help hold the check showing the total donation of services to the Library System of $1,498,662.27. (L to R) Linda Statham; Ben Statham; Gerrie Fornek; Heather Staniszewski, Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System’s Volunteer Services Manager; Barbara Selwyn; Susan Fornek; and Sherry Wright (guest).  

Image 2: Friend of the Roswell Library Carol Harrison received the President’s Call to Service Award for serving 4,975 lifetime hours. Carol leads over 30 volunteers in the Friends of the Roswell Book Store and at quarterly book sales.

Image 3: Keisha Sawyer has been a Friend of the South Fulton Library since 2000 and proudly accepted her 15 year volunteer service pin.

Image 4: Kelvin Wright served 262 hours at the Southwest Library in 2014 and was awarded the President’s Volunteer Service Gold Award for Young Adults.

Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System Celebrates Its Volunteers!

The value of volunteering topped $1.5 million last year at the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System, with 2,008 volunteers donating 67,645 hours of time in 2013 valued at $1,525,407.15 in donated services. This is the sixth year library volunteer services have topped one million dollars!

The 24th Annual Volunteer Recognition Award Program was held Saturday, November 15, with over 125 people in attendance. Special guest speakers included Stephanie Moody, Chair of the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System Board of Trustees and Fulton County Commissioner Joan Garner, District 6, who is also former Library Board trustee.

Library volunteers serve as adult literacy tutors, English as a second language (ESL) teachers, homework help aides, math tutors, computer assistants, clerical assistants, children’s program aides, special event hosts and more – in any of the Library System’s 34 branches. Volunteers with Friends of the Library groups are active in 24 branches and served over 22,000 hours last year.

Some highlights of the volunteer year include:

• 146 volunteers donated over 100 hours in 2013, including 58 who donated over 200 hours. Three of these volunteers donated over 1,000 hours in 2013!

• Several volunteers reached milestones including 28 volunteers who celebrated their five-year service award, 16 volunteers who celebrated their ten-year service award and eight volunteers who celebrated their 15-year service award. Eleven volunteers received the Millennium Award for reaching a career total of 1,000 hours.

• Laura Thompson, volunteer at the Sandy Springs Branch since 2010, won the President’s Call to Service Award for reaching a career total of over 4,000 hours and with 1,350 of those hours being served in 2013, she was also in the top three volunteers with the highest hours for 2013. Additional winners included Ben Statham who served 1,379 hours with the Friends of the Alpharetta Library and Carol Harrison who served 1,174 hours with the Friends of the Roswell Library.

• Eleven young adults and nine teens won the President’s Volunteer Service Award, and 15 Friends of the Library groups won the President’s Volunteer Service Award for groups serving over 200 hours in one year.

Congratulations to all of those who reached milestones in volunteering in 2013, and a great big THANK YOU to all of our wonderful volunteers throughout the library system! We would not be able to do all of the things we do without your time and dedication. You are much appreciated!

Top 2 Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System volunteers Laura Thompson, Sandy Springs Library, and Ben Statham, Friends of the Alpharetta Library, celebrate the “Big Check” with (L to R) Interim Library Director Anne Haimes and Chair of the Library Board of Trustees, Stephanie Moody.

Odessa Washington-Williams (middle), Friends of the South Fulton Library, celebrating her 5 year anniversary with (L to R) Fulton County Commissioner Joan Garner, District 6, and Chair of the Library Board of Trustees, Stephanie Moody. 

Become A Volunteer At Your Library!

The holiday season is the perfect time of year to reflect on how you can give back to your community. Volunteer efforts are a large sustaining part of so many non-profit organizations around our city and county, and the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System could not be more thankful this time of year for all of our wonderful volunteers! If you are looking for a place to donate your time through charitable work, why not consider your local branch library? There are countless ways to get involved at all of our locations. We would love to welcome you aboard our fabulous team!

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

All volunteers are asked to complete a Volunteer Application!

The Application for Volunteer Service can be submitted to the Office of Volunteer Services of the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System (AFPLS) by mail, fax or dropped off at any of our branches.

Volunteer Services: 404-730-1965

Auburn Avenue Research Library Volunteer
Auburn Avenue Research Library on African-American Culture and History
Volunteers at the library assist with behind-the-scenes clerical tasks and/or serve as docents/tour guides and hosts/hostesses for special events. SeeVolunteer Opportunities.

Children's Program Aide
Assist staff with preschool story hour by preparing craft materials and name tags, ushering and supervising children during programs. Assist with puppet shows, parenting workshops and other programs. Help with Summer Reading Program by registering children and distributing certificates.

Computer Lab Specialist
Skilled computer users are needed to assist the public by answering questions and assisting with computer basics, Internet access, word processing, spread sheets and other software programs in Library computer labs or to assist with computer classes.

Computer Lab Trainer/Workshop Presenter
Experienced trainers needed to conduct workshops on computer basics, software applications, resume writing, Internet use and other computer-related topics.

ESL (English as a Second Language) Coach
Volunteers conduct or assist with small classes for individuals learning to speak English. The Library provides training and resources for teachers and students.

Homework Help Assistance
Volunteers are needed in branches that have Homework Help Centers by helping students with their homework after school, including assisting students utilizing the computers for their assignments, and providing general supervision of the children. Another great group project. Adopt a branch now!

Job Search Coach
Help individuals learn to use library technology resources to develop their resume and use the Internet to search and apply for jobs online.

Library Clerical Aide
Help library staff with such tasks as preparing arts and crafts materials for library programs, checking books and other library materials for damage, making simple repairs, assisting with filing and/sorting library material.

Library User Survey Assistant
Take counts of library patrons and distribute surveys on library usage at the Central Library and at branches. Done several times a year. Different shifts available.

Literacy Tutor
Assist adults who are learning to read or are improving their reading skills. Volunteers are paired with learners and work one-on-one. The Library provides training and resources for tutors and learners. (more information)

Math Tutor
Volunteers with math skills needed to assist individuals with basic math such as adding, subtracting, multiplication, division, fractions and percentages.

Shape Up The Shelves!
Shape Up The Shelves group projects make it easy for volunteers to get involved with the Library. Days of service are designed with the busy person in mind. They are also a fun team builder for organizations. Teams search the shelves for lost items, shelve books, assist with processing materials and straighten stacks--important behind-the-scenes tasks that help get books and materials in the hands of patrons. With this blitz approach, groups of volunteers help the library accomplish, in a short time, tasks which otherwise might take months.

Spanish Language Teachers
Volunteers fluent in Spanish and familiar with teaching techniques are needed to present a workshop series on basic Spanish. (Volunteers fluent in other languages may also be needed to present workshops.)

Please be aware that not all opportunities are needed at all times and jobs vary by Library location. We will do our best to give you an assignment that suits your interests and skills at the location of your choice.

Volunteer At Your Library!

Have you ever thought about how you can give back to your local library? Maybe you need to earn some community service hours for school or work? Well, the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System is always grateful for our wonderful volunteers and we encourage anyone who's interested to look into it! All volunteers are asked to fill out a Volunteer Application which can then be returned to any branch location. You can also contact our Volunteer Services Department by calling 404.730.1965 

There are many ways in which volunteers serve in the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System and we will do our best to give you an assignment that suits your interests and skills at the location of your choice. However, please be aware that not all opportunities are needed at all times and jobs vary by Library location. Listed below are just some of the many tasks performed by Library volunteers every day!

Auburn Avenue Research Library Volunteer
Auburn Avenue Research Library on African-American Culture and History
Volunteers at the library assist with behind-the-scenes clerical tasks and/or serve as docents/tour guides and hosts/hostesses for special events. See Volunteer Opportunities.

Children's Program Aide
Assist staff with preschool story hour by preparing craft materials and name tags, ushering and supervising children during programs. Assist with puppet shows, parenting workshops and other programs. Help with Summer Reading Program by registering children and distributing certificates.

Computer Lab Specialist
Skilled computer users are needed to assist the public by answering questions and assisting with computer basics, Internet access, word processing, spread sheets and other software programs in Library computer labs or to assist with computer classes.

Computer Lab Trainer/Workshop Presenter
Experienced trainers needed to conduct workshops on computer basics, software applications, resume writing, Internet use and other computer-related topics.

ESL (English as a Second Language) Coach
Volunteers conduct or assist with small classes for individuals learning to speak English. The Library provides training and resources for teachers and students.

Homework Help Assistance
Volunteers are needed in branches that have Homework Help Centers by helping students with their homework after school, including assisting students utilizing the computers for their assignments, and providing general supervision of the children. Another great group project. Adopt a branch now!

Job Search Coach
Help individuals learn to use library technology resources to develop their resume and use the Internet to search and apply for jobs online.

Library Clerical Aide
Help library staff with such tasks as preparing arts and crafts materials for library programs, checking books and other library materials for damage, making simple repairs, assisting with filing and/sorting library material.

Library User Survey Assistant
Take counts of library patrons and distribute surveys on library usage at the Central Library and at branches. Done several times a year. Different shifts available.

Literacy Tutor

Assist adults who are learning to read or are improving their reading skills. Volunteers are paired with learners and work one-on-one. The Library provides training and resources for tutors and learners. (more information)

Math Tutor

Volunteers with math skills needed to assist individuals with basic math such as adding, subtracting, multiplication, division, fractions and percentages.

Shape Up The Shelves!
Shape Up The Shelves group projects make it easy for volunteers to get involved with the Library. Days of service are designed with the busy person in mind. They are also a fun team builder for organizations. Teams search the shelves for lost items, shelve books, assist with processing materials and straighten stacks--important behind-the-scenes tasks that help get books and materials in the hands of patrons. With this blitz approach, groups of volunteers help the library accomplish, in a short time, tasks which otherwise might take months.

Spanish Language Teachers
Volunteers fluent in Spanish and familiar with teaching techniques are needed to present a workshop series on basic Spanish. (Volunteers fluent in other languages may also be needed to present workshops.)