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Volunteers Needed to Deliver Library Books
(posted Dec 13)
Nancy Stephenson of the Indianapolis Marion County Public Library is sympathetic
for an avid reader who does not have access to books. She described it
as a serious problem and a quality of life issue for a library patron who
is homebound and without books.
She said the IMCPL has historically tried to close that gap for disabled
patrons by relying on volunteers to serve in the Library Express Program.
IMCPL started using volunteers in 1994 when the local branches stopped
using staff members. The library serves about 100 to 200 homebound people
a year. She said they always like to have volunteers on standby, and not
have to play catch up when a patron calls in for books. She said the process
can take up to three weeks to fill positions if they are understaffed.
While the east side of town is currently in need of volunteers, Stephenson
would also like to have more volunteers on standby to serve the west side.
The program is more than just dropping off materials randomly to patrons.
It requires a one year commitment that establishes a relationship between
the volunteer and patron. The volunteer is assigned to a patron. Volunteers
are screened and interviewed. Because the volunteers are representing the
library, they are subject to a criminal background check. The patron has
a telephone interview with the program staff. The final discretion is with
the volunteer to determine if they are comfortable with the neighborhood
environment. The volunteers might be called on to deliver to assisted living
facilities or nursing homes.
Volunteers visit about every two weeks to drop off and pick up library
materials. People interested in volunteering can call the library's support
program office at 317.275.4046.
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