Training Materials

Learn more about best practices in volunteer recruitment and engagement, and how to get the results you need.

NOTE: These are examples from public libraries and should be reviewed and modified to ensure fit with local policies and culture.

Title Keyword Tags Year
Strategies for Attracting Today's Volunteers - DOVIA Sacramento Webinar
This archived webinar was presented by Carla Lehn for DOVIA Sacramento in February 2021. Learning Objectives for the session:
Participants in this… more
Staff TrainingOn-line Volunteer RecruitmentEngaging High Impact Volunteers Recruitment, online recruitment, Volunteer Job Description, Webinar 2021
Volunteer COVID-19 Protocol Training - Huntington Beach CA
Protocol training for volunteers returning to the library during/after COVID-19 pandemic
Volunteer Orientation COVID-19 2021
Addressing Issues of Equity in Volunteerism
A brief article on this important subject with some ideas about where to look and what to do.
Capacity Building diversity, equity, inclusion 2021
Questionnaire Design Tip Sheet - Harvard University
A tip sheet on question wording from the Harvard University Program on Survey Research.
Capacity BuildingStaff Training surveys 2021
Recruit Volunteers Online: Find Your Next 20 COVID Superheroes with Smarter Strategy
The author describes three essential strategies needed to build a presence online that can recruit the ideal volunteers you need, those that are… more
On-line Volunteer Recruitment Recruitment, online recruitment 2021
Outdoor Programming and Outreach Best Practices - Oklahoma City OK
Developed by the Metropolitan Library System in Oklahoma City during the COVID-19 pandemic as a guide for staff.
Capacity Building outdoor, outreach, programming, COVID-19 2021
Volunteers and the Law: Legal Considerations
A good summary of legal issues from Tobi Johnson & Associates, 2021.
Staff Training law, legal 2021
A Savior No One Needs: Unpacking and Overcoming the White Savior Complex
White savior complex is a term that’s used to describe white people who consider themselves wonderful helpers to Black, Indigenous and People of… more
Staff Training diversity, equity, inclusion 2021
Book to Action - Palo Alto City Library (CA)
Palo Alto's Book to Action page
Staff Training Book to action 2021
Social Media & Blog Content Guidelines for Staff & Volunteers - CMBCL, OR
This document is used by Cedar Mill & Bethany Community Libraries to provide guidelines for staff and volunteers who are assisting with community… more
Engaging High Impact VolunteersJob Specific Volunteer TrainingStaff Training social media, blog 2020
Engagement as a Path to Inclusion and Justice
This brief article from Beth Steinhorn at VQ Strategies outlines 4 questions we can all ask ourselves for developing and implementing a plan that… more
Capacity BuildingStaff Training inclusive, racism, diversity 2020
NextGen Nexus: Moving Beyond Awareness
This article answers the question: How do we build awareness about our issue among young Americans?
Millennials Gen Z 2020
Adopt-A-Shelf Job List - Cedar Rapids Public Library IA
This is the Job List for volunteers who "Adopt-A-Shelf" at the Cedar Rapids Iowa Public Library.  A related document is the Adopt-A-Shelf… more
Job Specific Volunteer Training Shelving 2020
Why Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Matter for Nonprofits
This article from the National Council of Nonprofits not only describes the issue, but suggests ways to start making changes, and provides a number… more
Capacity BuildingStaff Training racism, diversity, inclusion 2020
What Do Volunteers Want?
This article discusses the importance of following up with volunteers -- keeping them in the loop through good communication.
Capacity BuildingEngaging High Impact Volunteers communications, followup 2020
Book Drop Helper and Sorter Training - Boulder CO
This powerpoint training was created for Book Drop Helper and Sorter Volunteers returning to service during COVID-19. In addition to this powerpoint… more
Job Specific Volunteer TrainingCapacity Building COVID-19, Book Drop 2020
COVID-19 Safety Protocols Training Powerpoint - Gail Borden PL, IL
This powerpoint was developed by the Gail Borden Public Library in Illinois to as part of its training for volunteers about safety issues and… more
Capacity Building COVID-19 2020
Book Drop Helper and Sorter Training Video #1 - Boulder CO
This video was created as a portion of the training for Book Drop Helper and Sorter Volunteers returning to service during COVID-19. The training… more
Job Specific Volunteer Training COVID-19, Book Drop 2020
Are Young People Replacing Older People as the Key Volunteering Group?
A brief look at volunteering trends and key takeaways during COVID-19.
Baby BoomersCapacity BuildingMillennialsStaff Training COVID-19, generations, Millennials 2020
Book Drop Helper and Sorter Training Video #2 - Boulder CO
This video was created as a portion of the training for Book Drop Helper and Sorter Volunteers returning to service during COVID-19. The training… more
Job Specific Volunteer TrainingCapacity Building COVID-19, Book Drop 2020