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Instructions for Volunteers

VOLUNTEER INSTRUCTIONS:
 

Thank you for working at the PALS Curriculum Library! Here is some information to help you along the way. If you find that something is not working well, please feel free to change it and post a new set of instructions. 

 

WHEN YOU START YOUR SHIFT EACH TIME:

            1) Check that the check-out/check-in sheet supply is sufficient and that a pencil is

available to people.

            2) Check that the areas in front of the closet bookcases are clear, and move things

out of the way, if needed.*

            3) Check that items on the shelves are neatly put away. 

           

* If you find that other people using the building are repeatedly putting things in front of the bookcases, consider marking the floor areas directly in front of the bookcases with yellow electrical tape (similar to the parallel slashes that they paint in parking lots) to help discourage people from putting things there. 

 
BORROWERS:

            Anyone who is not attending the current term of Enrichment needs to give you

her/his:
NAME
ADDRESS (from a drivers license)
TELEPHONE NUMBER
E-MAIL ADDRESS
 

            People attending Enrichment can start using the library without going through this

step.
 
 
HOW TO BORROW ITEMS:

            Instructions on how people borrow items is posted, however it will probably help people to have you point out where the instructions are and have them read them.

 
 
WHERE TO FIND ITEMS:

            Items are shelved in the built-in cabinet and on the bookshelves in the closet. Each shelf is labeled with its subject area. Beyond subject area, items are not sorted. Some items have inventory numbers on them, but in trying to simply and streamline the library, we have stopped assigning inventory numbers.   

 
 
HOW TO RETURN ITEMS:

            Again, instructions are posted. It is hoped that people will neatly re-shelve things, however, you may want to take a few minutes to neaten the shelves before you leave. 

 
 

DONATIONS OF BOOKS & MATERIALS:

            As you can see, the library has limited shelf space and is not far from reaching full capacity, so we must be discerning about donations, however items not used for the library can still benefit the library. Give the donor a gift receipt (in the supplies folder) for their entire donation, explaining that anything that can’t be used in the library itself will be sold and the proceeds will be used to help cover library and enrichment expenses. Then sort the donations as outlined below.   

 
 In general, we keep:
                        -Textboooks

                        -Teacher’s Editions

                        -Hands-on materials

                        -Curriculum materials

                        -Hard-to-find items

 

                        Items kept for the library can be immediately put onto the shelves, in the

appropriate subject area. No cataloging is necessary. 

 
We do not keep:
                        -Workbooks

                        -Items readily found in a bookstore or library

                        -Items with such a narrow focus that it is unlikely someone will want to

borrow it (e.g., “The Development of Factories in Fairfield

County, Connecticut between 1875 and 1895.”)

 

                        Items not put into the library collection can be stored for a future

Enrichment curriculum/“garage” sale. Space is available on the

Enrichment shelves in the basement (please mark the box or bag clearly as being for the next fundraising sale). 

 
 
DONATIONS OF MONEY:

            If someone wants to make a monetary donation to the library, please fill out the gift receipt form, and mail the library’s piece of it, along with their check (made to PALS Curriculum Library), to Dana Wettergreen. Stamped, addressed envelopes are in the supplies folder (if you need more, just let me know – 412-420-5302). We cannot accept gifts of cash; please ask them to write a check. 

 
SUPPLIES:

A folder of supplies (pens, pencils, tape, gift receipts, check-out/check-in sheets, and other stuff you might need) is in the built-in closet. If you need something but don’t find it in there, check the large bin on top of one of the closet bookcases (it is marked “Library Supplies” or something similar). If you don’t find what you need there, go ahead and buy what you need, but keep your receipt so you can be reimbursed. Contact Dana at wettergreen@verizon.net or 412-420-5302 for reimbursement instructions. 

 
PROBLEMS:

            This self-serve system for the library is new and untested. If you find that things need to be changed to work better, please go ahead and change it – just let anyone affected by the change (other volunteers, people using the library, etc.) know about it. 

 

            If you run into something that you don’t feel that you can solve or if you have questions, please feel free to call Dana Wettergreen, 412-420-5302 (home) or 412-417-6736 (cell). 

 

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