Southeast Steuben County Library

Volunteering at the Library

(607) 936-3713 ext 213

Volunteering at the Library is a great way for individuals and organizations to give back to their community and help promote understanding of the Library and its services.

More than 60 volunteers - teens to 80-plus - work an average of eight to 10 hours each month at the Southeast Steuben County Library. Our active volunteer crew is enlarged and strengthened by students from area middle schools, high schools and colleges, as well as by temporary summer volunteers and the Teen Advisory group.

During a recent volunteer year (Oct. 2006 - Sept. 2007), 187 residents of the City of Corning, the towns of Campbell, Caton, Corning, Erwin, Hornby & Lindley, and Chemung County devoted 6,576 hours to Library volunteer activities.

The assistance provided by volunteers to the Library is appreciated greatly. Without our volunteers, we would be unable to provide the level of service for which we are known. From processing new materials, to genealogical research, working at the Circulation Desk, repairing damaged materials, keeping shelves neat and orderly, recycling, and much more, volunteers really do make things happen!

Here are just a few of the assignments volunteers accept …

Circulation Desk: Volunteers work directly with the public, charging and discharging library materials; renew books.

Technical Services: Volunteers process new library materials, repair and clean books and other library materials.

Collection Department: Volunteers straighten books on shelves, shelve returned books, and check to make sure all items are in the correct location.

Reference: Volunteers monitor computer usage and assist patrons with very basic computer instruction; use targeted expertise to further develop the Library's book collection; compile obituary data for genealogy searches; update materials in our Local History room.

Children's: Volunteers are involved in crafts and storytelling; create lists of books related to specific topics and help out with special programs. Volunteers are key performers (and educators) in the Mad Hatters Storytelling Troupe

Other work done by volunteers: Recycling; indoor plant care; handyman tasks; scrapbooking.

Benefits of volunteering at the Library

You can learn new skills, and learn more about your library
You'll have the opportunity to share your existing skills and experiences
You'll meet other caring people, both staff members and fellow volunteers
Your confidence and self-esteem will get a big boost
You'll build your skills, and your library experience will look great on a resume or college application.

Read the latest newsletter for Library volunteers

Click here to download "Volunteering."

Interested in volunteering at the Library?

Contact Annie Bickham, our Volunteer Coordinator: (607) 936-3713 Ext. 213 or email bickhama@stls.org.

Friends of the Library

(607) 962-5365

You are invited to become a Friend of the Library. The Friends organization aims to promote the resources, services and needs of the Library. The Friends of the Library is a nonprofit, volunteer organization that helps to provide programs and services at the Library. The Friends also purchases equipment and books.

What are Friends for?

Some activities and programs sponsored by the Friends are:

Books Sandwiched-In
Short Story Contest
Special Guest Speakers
Literacy Volunteers
AmeriCorps Volunteers
Children's Summer Reading Program

The major fundraising activity of the Friends of the Library is the popular semi-annual book sale, which occurs in the spring and the fall. All of the donated books and other items sold at the book sale are collected, sorted and sold by Friends members. In 2008, the Friends donated $45,000 to the Library.

As a Friends volunteer you will receive:

The Friends newsletters and all special mailings
Early, members-only admission to the Spring and Fall book sales
An opportunity to vote at the annual meeting in January
Interesting volunteer opportunities
Kudos for your support

Get involved as a Friends volunteer

You can support the Library by becoming an active member of the Friends of the Library. Stop by the Circulation desk to pick up a Friends Application Form.

About book sale donations

Did you ever wonder where the tens of thousands of books, DVDs, audio books, CDs and more sold at the Friends' book sales come from? They are donated by Library users and book lovers just like you. The Friends welcome your contribution of new and used books, CDs, videos, audio-books, and paperbacks. Please read the guidelines before making your donation.

Once you've read the guidelines, bring your books to the Library lot, off Pearl Street in Corning. Look for the Book Donation slot.

Book Sale Donation Guidelines

-please click above-

Southeast Steuben County Library / 300 Nasser Civic Center Plaza; Suite 101 / Corning, NY 14830
www.stls.org/corning