As Boomers enter the stage of life traditionally called 'retirement,' extending their years in the workforce is not their only option. Numerous studies have shown that most Boomers intend to spend some time volunteering. According to the Corporation for National and Community Service, nearly a third (33.2%) of all Boomers — 25.8 million people — currently volunteer. That’s the highest percentage of any age group, and more than 4% above the national average of 29%. These numbers are likely to increase as Boomers transition out of their full-time careers.

Unfortunately, the number and scope of service opportunities currently available to Boomers do not reflect this group’s diversity, skills, and needs. To ensure that Boomers continue to volunteer at the same impressive rates they do today, more diverse channels for volunteer engagement need to be developed. Otherwise, Boomers may find themselves 'ready and willing' with nowhere to go. Having often held multiple jobs in their lifetimes and acquired skills in more than one discipline, Boomers tend to seek a broad menu of volunteer options with a great deal of flexibility, self-direction and impact. Boomers are less likely than older age groups to volunteer out of a sense of duty or obligation. Boomers want to volunteer in order to put career skills to good use, learn new things and make new friends.

Accordingly, organizations seeking to recruit Boomers will need to adjust their volunteer opportunities and practices. In fact, a Harvard School of Public Health 2004 study concluded that the failure of organizations to respond to new trends in volunteerism will not only prevent them from accessing the time and skills of highly motivated volunteers, but it will also limit fundraising capabilities. People who feel a part of an organization and who understand its values, competencies and challenges will advocate for it in the budget process, promote it in the community and help to recruit both financial and human resources.

Through partnerships with existing volunteer resources, or by taking the lead where none exist, public libraries can encourage and attract more community members to volunteering — in libraries as well as in other organizations throughout their communities. To assist California public libraries in re-tooling their volunteer programs accordingly, the California State Library launched Get Involved: Powered By Your Library.