First step towards volunteering at the library
May 8th, 2009 at 11:52 am (Books, Volunteering)
Today I visited the brand-new Monrovia library to interview with their volunteer coordinator. We discussed their various volunteer needs and settled on what could be a good fit for me: sorting, mending, and pricing donated books (“We need people with good research skills for this”), greeting visitors at the door (“The library is brand-new and no one knows where to find anything”), and possibly helping in their computer center (“We have such a need”). I’m absolutely thrilled to get a chance to work with library books behind the scenes. The idea of helping people use computers gives me flashbacks to my time as a computer lab assistant as an undergraduate, but hey, I have no doubt that the need is there.
Satisfied with our discussion, the coordinator gave me an application to fill out. She glanced at my educational history and said, “Ah, so you finished school last year?” Without thinking, I replied, “Well, unless I decide to go back again,” and she laughed and said, “Yes, it’s always good to be open to more schooling!”
I think I’ll fit right in.
There is a volunteer orientation to attend next Tuesday, during which we’ll work out scheduling and all of the volunteers will get to meet each other. It might take a while before I actually get to dive in, though, because the Human Resources department apparently needs about a month to process my application. This not only involves calling my references but also getting my fingerprints and testing me for drugs, alcohol, and TB.
Note: the library’s grand opening is next Saturday, May 16, and Ray Bradbury will be attending! He’s giving a speech at 3:30 p.m. I’m so there.
Susan said,
May 9, 2009 at 1:55 am
What a great thing to be doing! I started developing a renewed appreciation for our library system in Abq before I left. And NOW I really appreciate it — you’d be surprised, but the Greater London system doesn’t seem to hold a candle even to Abq, plus it has tons of fees. Libraries are such a great thing.
And man, I didn’t know Ray Bradbury was still alive. I met him about ten years ago, and he looked so frail then.
Terran said,
May 11, 2009 at 5:06 am
Wow. You are an endless font of energy and enthusiasm! I am so impressed.
Seconded Susan’s observations re: Ray Bradbury’s age. Let us know what he had to say.