volunteers galore! ila 2014
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Inma Leonard Homewood Public LibraryDee Delaney Homewood Public Library
Sharon Bouchie Friends of the Homewood Public Library
Think outside the box❧ Volunteers came in all shapes & forms
❧ What would you like to accomplish?
❧ Become an integral part of your community
❧ Get families involved with the library
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Vocational Achievement for Smooth Transition- VAST Kids
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VAST Kids ❧ High School based
program for special education students (18-22 years old) that promotes
❧ Student Independence ❧ Vocational
Competencies
❧ Life SkillsPhotograph courtesy of HFHS website
Collaboration❧ In 2000, HF High School started its own
vocational program with 6 job sites- HPL was an original site.
❧ Partnership between Homewood Flossmoor High School & Homewood Public Library.
❧ 14 years later they have 25 sites, 2 full time teachers, 4 classroom aids, and 5 job coaches. This year the program has 28 students.
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❧ High School
❧ Assess students skills
❧ Review skill expectations
❧ Trained job coaches
❧ Flexibility
❧ Public Library
❧ Welcoming environment
❧ Support schools curriculum
❧ Flexibility
Success
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Management
❧ Management is a team approach between the High School teacher, administrative staff, and youth staff.
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High School❧ Teachers assess
students skills
❧ Job coaches assist students navigate day to day tasks @ job sites
Job Coaches
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HPL- Admin❧ Mrs. Dennison
coordinates with the HS times & schedules
❧ Youth Department organizes projects and supervise students
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Recognition
❧ HPL Youth & Admin organizes annual celebration with VAST Kids, HS staff, and parents.
HPL-Youth ❧ Youth Staff creates a schedule and prioritize
accordingly.
❧ On hands management is provided by youth staff- Sarah Gearhart & Nichol Bautista.
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Week to Week❧ VAST Kids come to the library four days a
week for 2 hours each day. ❧ Different students come on different days.❧ Jobs are assigned depending on the skill set.
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Projects❧ Lots, and lots!❧ Cleaning youth toys, puzzles, train table set❧ Cleaning youth DVD’s & audio books❧ Setting up for programs- LEGO ❧ Wrapping book packages for Friends of the
Library themed sales (Holidays, back to school, etc)
❧ Preparing materials for craft projects❧ Creating & setting displays
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Projects- Lego Club
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Lego Club
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DVD Clean UP
DVD Clean Up
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Displays & Book Sales
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Benefits❧ Great
partnership
❧ Dedicated & trained volunteers
❧ Hands on
experience
Contact InformationDee Delaney ~ Homewood Public Library
Deb Dennison~ Homewood Public [email protected]
Sarah Gearhart~ Homewood Public [email protected]
Mary LaBoatz~ Homewood Flossmoor High [email protected]
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Jr. Friends of the Homewood Library
Unique Friends❧ Most libraries have a Friends of the Library
group.
❧ And some have a Junior Friends group…
❧ Our is unique because it truly is a Family Friends group.
❧ We have no age limit❧ Everyone is welcome
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Beginnings❧ Desire to provide younger children
opportunities to volunteer
❧ Jr. Friends of the Homewood Library started in 2008
❧ Financially supported by the Friends of the Homewood Library (FOHL)
MissionJunior Friend’s mission is to
❧ Promote community service and volunteerism among our youngest patrons and families
❧ Support the Friends of the Homewood Public Library
❧ Strengthen relationships between staff & community members
Mission in Action
Community Service❧ Key component of the Junior Friends mission
❧ Bridge between library & the community
❧ Complete community projects
Membership❧ Jr. Friends is membership based
❧ Over 700 members in the last 6 years
❧ Membership is $2.00 a year
❧ Registration year round~ Kick Off~Summer Reading
Collaboration❧ FOHL Liaison
❧ Parent Coordinators
❧ Youth Librarian Liaison
❧ Coordinate monthly projects, schedule meetings, secure materials, create PR, and run the meeting
Monthly Meetings❧ Monthly meetings from Sept. to May
❧ Fridays 5-6:30 PM
❧ Jr. Friends under 8 years of age must be accompanied by a parent/adult during the meeting
❧ Complete project, have dinner, play games
Annual Projects❧ Blankets for seniors
❧ Blood drive Thank You bags
❧ Homeless Shelter~ back to school backpacks & supplies
❧ Dog toys for Humane Society shelter
Annual Projects❧ Valentine Day’s Cards for Veterans
❧ National Library Week
❧ Holiday gifts for board members & staff
❧ Respond Now Food Drive
National Library Week- Butterfly Decorations 2011
Annually Jr. Friends create decorations for National Library Week.
Patrons were given butterfly magnets when checking out materials.
National Library Week 2011
Thank You Bags for Firemen
Jr. Friends created Thank You bags for local firemen
Valentine’s Day Cards
Over 250 cards are made annually and sent nationwide
Blankets for Seniors
Jr. Friends created lap blankets for local community seniors
Blankets for Seniors
Fall Decorations 2013
In preparation for an off-site visit to a local senior residence Jr. Friends created “Treat bags” and Fall Decorations for residents
Thank You Bags 2013
Jr. Friends create “Thank You” bags for Friends of the
Homewood Library
volunteers and for any special
community program.
Respond Now Food Drive
In 2011 Jr. Friends conducted their first food drive to help a local food shelter.
The effort brought together the library, the school district, and the Jr. Friends.
Respond Now Food Drive
Board Members & Staff Holiday Gifts
Each year Jr. Friends create holiday gifts for board members and library staff.
Animal Shelter Toys
On the Road Projects❧ First volunteer efforts on the road….
❧ Reading Buddies for McClellan Elementary
On the Road Projects❧ Freedom Village Senior Resident play &
games
Benefits to the Library❧ Stronger collaboration between FOHL,
parents, librarians, and community
❧ Community needs addressed via volunteer efforts
❧ Unique volunteer opportunities for young children
❧ Increased attendance to Youth Programs
Challenges❧ Recruiting parent volunteers
❧ Finding creative & affordable projects
❧ Engaging children of different ages & abilities
❧ Balancing staff time
Questions
Contact InformationDee Delaney ~ Homewood Public Library
Inma Leonard ~ Homewood Public [email protected]
Sharon Bouchie ~ Jr. Friends [email protected]