Wood Library circulates hundreds of thousands of items each year – that’s a few hundred per day! As a result, volunteering as a “Shelver” helps the library function on a fundamental, day-to-day level.

Library shelving is a complex system designed to help patrons, staff, and volunteers easily find materials. Through various forms of labeling, Wood Library’s loanable materials have a number of markers to indicate their proper shelving location. Shelving requires acute attention to detail and a willingness to ask questions. In time, shelvers develop a comprehensive understanding of the layout of Wood Library.

Skill requirements:
• Must be able to comfortably bend, reach, and stand.
• Must be able to safely and comfortably push and maneuver large and heavy carts of books.
• Children’s materials are particularly narrow and feature fine print along the spines so eyesight and dexterity are critical to working within that collection.
• Guessing or estimating where an item belongs on a shelf is not acceptable.

Time commitment:
• Typically ONE designated day each week
• Limit of TWO hours per visit

Wood Library’s designated service population is nearly 27,000 people but we also loan materials to patrons throughout the OWWL Library System (serving over 305,000 patrons in Ontario, Wayne, Wyoming, and Livingston counties).

Patrons throughout our library system may request items from any of our 42 member libraries. Volunteers that pull materials to fulfill these requests are essential in keeping Wood Library an active participant in our library system.

Skill requirements:
• Standing and walking throughout library
• Bending and reaching to access all shelf levels
• Ability to push and maneuver a small book cart
• Patience, attention to detail, problem solving skills, and a willingness to seek assistance from staff

Time commitment:
• Typically ONE designated day each week
• Completing the pull list takes ~45-60 minutes.

Items that aren’t shelved correctly are lost items. Shelves that have been adopted are routinely straightened, free of any hidden or fallen books, and any items that were improperly placed there have been removed. To adopt a shelf is to maintain the accessibility, usability, and appearance of Wood Library.

A library shelf should have all items cleanly aligned, enough wiggle room to remove or replace an item, and no wayward items floating around behind the displayed items. Volunteers interested in adopting a shelf are not limited to a single shelf, but are encouraged to explore different areas of the library for each visit.

Skill requirements:
• Standing, bending, and/or sitting to “read” the shelves
• Some reaching to remove misplaced materials and/or shift overcrowded items
• Exceptional attention to detail is critical!

Time commitment:
• This need may generally be fulfilled at the volunteer’s leisure with at least one visit per week

When patrons request items, those items may or may not be available at Wood Library. If Wood Library doesn’t have an item available, one of the other 41 member libraries will send the requested item to Wood Library. Volunteers then call the patron to notify them that the items is ready. Our phone system is very simple to use and a script is provided for volunteers.

Skill requirements:
• Volunteers are seated for the duration of this task
• A clear and friendly voice for speaking on the phone and leaving messages
• Tidy, legible handwriting

Time commitment:
• Typically ONE designated day each week
• Calls are usually completed within 10-35 minutes

Weeding, pruning, and keeping the gardens free of debris is a lovely way to spend some time outdoors!

Time commitment:
• This need may generally be fulfilled at the volunteer’s leisure with at least one visit per week

• Friends’ Early Access will be the morning of Saturday, October 5 from 10AM – 12PM.
• The book sale will be open to the public during normal library hours, beginning at 12PM on Saturday, October 5.

Donation Drop Off Days

• • Wednesday, October 2 | 11AM-8PM
  • Thursday, October 3 | 10AM-6PM

• Early September- Exclusive volunteer registration for returning volunteers (volunteers will receive a phone call with details before September).
• Mid/Late September- Volunteer registration open to all persons interested in becoming a book sale volunteer.

Spring: Wood Library Mini Golf
• Stay tuned for opportunities with our fourth annual Mini Golf Fundraiser in 2025!

Fall: Pursapalooza – Returns November 23, 2024!
• If you’d like to get involved with the planning committee, please contact:

Maria Bucci, Director of Development
mbucci@owwl.org or 394-1381 x328