Get Involved Initiative
The 2006 report Long Overdue: A Fresh Look at Public Attitudes About Libraries in the 21st Century (pdf), noted that Americans who are active in their communities and vote regularly are also more likely to have a library card and favor taxes to support libraries. Even though they love libraries, the study also found that these civically engaged citizens have not been “called to action” on behalf of libraries.
At the same time, 78 million Baby Boomers, an already civically engaged group, are moving toward retirement, and research shows that many are now active volunteers who intend to spend time volunteering as one of their retirement pursuits. And yet, multiple studies have shown that Boomers’ interests in volunteerism will be vastly different from those of current “senior volunteers,” and that organizations seeking to recruit them will need to adjust their volunteer engagement practices.
In spring 2008, libraries throughout California working on the Transforming Life After 50 initiative identified through local community assessments the vast potential for engaging the talent and experience of Boomers in volunteer roles that support libraries and the community.
In response, the Get Involved: Powered by Your Library statewide initiative was designed. Its goals are to:
- Raise awareness among public libraries about how volunteer engagement can benefit both the library and the community.
- Train public libraries to create diverse and meaningful volunteer positions that will attract a broad range of community volunteers, especially Boomers.
- Build the capacity of public libraries in California to recruit and support volunteers more effectively.
- In partnership with local volunteer recruitment and referral agencies, position California public libraries as community “hubs” for civic engagement.
- Assist community members in finding volunteer opportunities that match their individual talents, passions and interests in public libraries or in the community.
Archived Training Opportunities
The following five archived, one-hour Webinars can assist libraries in their volunteer engagement efforts.
- Overview: Making the Most of your VolunteerMatch Account
- Best Practices for Recruiting Online for Literacy Program Managers
- Engaging Boomers & Skilled Volunteers in your Library
- Attracting Baby Boomers to Volunteer Service
- Getting Others Involved with Your Library
Did You Know
At 33.2%, the volunteer rate for Boomers is the highest of ANY age group, and more than 4% above the national average of 29%.
Make a Difference: Volunteer
In partnership with VolunteerMatch
This TLA50 project was supported in whole or in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian.
