Volunteers at the Winneconne Public Library supplement the efforts of paid library staff. Volunteering serves as a method for area residents to become familiar with the library and to feel good about performing a valuable service for the community.
A volunteer is a person who performs tasks for the library without wages, benefits, or compensation of any kind. The Village of Winneconne does not provide workers compensation coverage for volunteers.
Service volunteers do various tasks as assigned to them by library staff. They are recognized by the public as representatives of the library and shall be guided by the same work and behavior codes as employees. They work with the status of “at-will” employees. Volunteers may or may not be members of the Friends of Winneconne Public Library.
Service volunteers who work on a regular basis will fill out volunteer information registration forms which will be kept on file with the Library Director. The library requires volunteers to complete a background check, especially in the event that the volunteer may be working directly with children. Background checks will be paid by the library.
The Library Board encourages individuals and groups to volunteer their time and efforts in the service of the Winneconne Public Library. In appreciation of volunteer services, the Library acknowledges the need to organize volunteer activities and provide for appropriate recognition befitting the benefit to the library and the communities it serves.
Annual recognition will be given based on the number of hours of service. This may include a listing of volunteer names in a newspaper release, a certificate of appreciation, and the addition of a book to the collection in each volunteer’s name.
The library director will work closely with the Friends of the Library to encourage their support of programs and services that align with library goals and benefit the library and the community it serves. The Friends group is heavily involved in fund-raising for the library and oversees periodic book sales. Though the Friends group is a separate entity, it adheres to the judgment of the library director and Board of Trustees to make authoritative decisions regarding library policy and best practices.