The Soapbox

As we approach the new September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance, it seems appropriate to reflect on a few of the ways Skokie Public Library’s volunteers help the Library serve you better.

Our Adopt-a-Shelf program touches the lives of countless people by providing volunteer opportunities for the disabled. Local schools and community programs work with the Library to provide a simulated work environment while providing marketable, transferable skills that provide the volunteers a sense of pride and feeling of accomplishment. The volunteers have diverse backgrounds and are working toward many different goals, including developing social skills, giving back to the community, working through a transition in life, keeping out of trouble, and learning to become independent, self-sufficient, functioning members of the community. These volunteers help the staff get materials back on the shelves more quickly so everyone can find them and check them out again.

In the summer, Booking with a Buddy provides volunteers ranging in age from junior high students to retirees who devote an hour each week during the summer reading with a child in first through third grade to promote the childrens’ reading skills during the summer. This summer, 59 children were served by 57 “big buddy” volunteers. Sign up happens in May each year.

People with experience in career counseling or technical skills in creating resumes volunteer to help those who have lost their job or are seeking to make a career change. This is an ongoing service that the Library can offer only because volunteers with those skills are willing to give of their time and expertise. Arrangements are very flexible.