View Project

G2S Project Code: 2015-CA-75104
State: California
Fiscal Year: 2015
Grantee
CALIFA GROUP

Project Director
Director Name: Paula Mackinnon
Director Phone: 650-356-2128
Director Email: pmackinnon@califa.org
General Information
Title: Get Involved: Expanding & Sustaining Skilled Volunteer Engagement in Public Libraries
State Project Code: 40-8543
Start Date: 07/01/2015
End Date: 09/30/2016
Abstract: The Get Involved initiative continues to prepare California libraries for successful replication and sustainability of promising volunteer engagement practices to increase the number of library volunteers, the skilled roles these volunteers play, and the volunteers' demonstrated support of libraries beyond their volunteer assignments. This project enabled the completion of 5 of 7 Get Involved Institutes that began in Fiscal Year 2014-2015. Additionally, meaningful training for regional networks and specifically developed curriculum for Veteran Resource Center coordinators and volunteers was developed and implemented. Through this project, California public libraries received the training and support to engage skilled volunteers and sustain an effective volunteer program.

State Goal: Goal VII: Community Connections
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$77,387.00
$0.00
$13,500.00
$90,887.00
Intent(s)
Improve library operations.
Programming & Event Planning
Outreach & Partnerships
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Get Involved Institutes and Training
Narrative: Get Involved Institutes and Trainings were held during this grant period to provide instruction and support to public libraries in engagement of skilled volunteers and effective management of volunteer programs. Ten one-day programs were offered, seven of which were geared toward general volunteer engagement and three of which specifically addressed utilizing volunteers in the implementation of Veteran Resource Centers.

Intent: Improve library operations.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: In-person


Quantity
Session length (minutes): 420
Number of sessions in program: 1
Average number in attendance per session: 53
Number of times program administered: 10


Partner Information
Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: Yes
Historical Societies or Organizations: No
Museums: No
Archives: No
Cultural Heritage Organization Multi-type: No
Preschools: No
Schools: No
Adult Education: No
Human Service Organizations: No
Other: No


Legal Type of Partner Organization(s):
Federal Government: No
State Government: No
Local Government (excluding school districts): No
School District: No
Non-Profit: No
Private Sector: No
Tribe/Native Hawaiian Organization: No


Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: Yes
For a targeted group or for the general population: General


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: Yes
Specific Locations: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 184
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0
Activity Details
Title: VolunteerMatch
Narrative: This project provides VolunteerMatch premium accounts for every library in the state in order to improve visibility of volunteer opportunities and promote the library as a desirable volunteer workplace. This project also supports the Get Involved "hub" which aggregates volunteer opportunities within a 20 mile radius of the zip code potential volunteers type into the Get Involved widget provided by VolunteerMatch, located on library websites throughout the state.

Intent: Improve library operations.

Activity: Procurement
Mode:
Format:


Quantity
Number of equipment acquired: 0
Number of acquired equipment used: 0
Number of hardware items acquired: 0
Number of acquired hardware items used: 0
Number of software items acquired: 1
Number of acquired software items used: 1
Number of materials/supplies acquired: 0
Number of acquired materials/supplies used: 0


Partner Information
Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: No
Historical Societies or Organizations: No
Museums: No
Archives: No
Cultural Heritage Organization Multi-type: No
Preschools: No
Schools: No
Adult Education: No
Human Service Organizations: No
Other: No


Legal Type of Partner Organization(s):
Federal Government: No
State Government: No
Local Government (excluding school districts): No
School District: No
Non-Profit: No
Private Sector: No
Tribe/Native Hawaiian Organization: No


Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: Yes
For a targeted group or for the general population: General


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: Yes
Specific Locations: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 184
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important findings or outcomes from your project:
A survey is sent to all volunteers who sign up on the California Libraries VolunteerMatch hub site. Two surveys were sent during this grant period - In December 2015 and August 2016. During 2015/16, we again saw increased activity in support of the library beyond the work they do in the volunteer position they were recruited for. For example, 75% of volunteer surveyed told friends about what the library has to offer. In addition, 80% of volunteers surveyed reported that this is the first time they've volunteered for a library. Per a surveyed volunteer, "Every time I volunteer I feel a great sense of accomplishment. The projects I am assigned along with the friendly and professional support I receive...reassures me that I have an almost limitless supply of transferable skills that I bring with me from my 21 year Air Force career. That alone boosts my confidence immensely as I transition into my civilian career phase of life." 95% of Get Involved institute participants surveyed either Agree or Strongly Agree that the training was useful for their work.
Please briefly describe importance of findings:
We continue to find that volunteers learn a great deal about the libraries in which they volunteer and become ambassadors for the library. Some even give money in support of the library, or ask their friends and family to donate their time or resources. Libraries that effectively utilize skilled volunteers enhance their library operations as well as their community relationships and advocacy efforts.
What methods did you use to determine your findings? Check all that apply:
Survey
Based on outputs, outcomes and/or other results, explain any significant lessons learned from these findings for either the SLAA or others in the LIS field:
Libraries can utilize volunteerism as an approach to engage new community members, and to engage them as library supporters and advocates.
Do you anticipate continuing this project after the current reporting period ends:
Yes
Do you anticipate any change in level of effort:
Yes: Project sustainability has been the focus of this project and funds have been progressively reduced over time. Local jurisdictions will become responsible for continuing VolunteerMatch accounts and regional networks for ongoing networking and training.
Do you anticipate any change in the project's scope:
Yes: The scope of the project is changing as the use of volunteers in libraries develops; for example, an institute was developed this grant period to support volunteer engagement in Veteran Resource Centers. These targeted group trainings will continue to be added to enhance general institutes.
Do you anticipate any other changes in the project:
Yes: Through another grant project, a Get Involved Collaborative has been created to implement this initiative in the states of Arizona, Idaho and Texas. As lead on this project, California will continue to implement innovative volunteer programming and benefit from the additional resources created by libraries in these other states.
Exemplary: No
Exemplary Narrative
Project Tags: volunteer, volunteers