Volunteers: use or abuse?

✍ Scribed by CAROLYN DATE

• Book ID: 104462254
• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1990
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 393 KB
• Volume: 7
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1471-1834
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2532.1989.6201079_7_3.x

✦ Synopsis

Two‐thirds of library authorities in the UK use volunteers in some way in the provision of housebound reader services. The use of volunteers raises a number of questions for professional staff. Drawing on the views and experiences of volunteers in the Dorset County Library service this paper discusses the kinds of problems which can arise and the ways in which the interests of staff, volunteers and users can be protected. Issues considered include what support is necessary for all involved, and how staff and volunteers should be trained to ensure that service standards can be maintained or improved.