Schlow recognizes volunteers at brunch event

STATE COLLEGE — On April 19, Schlow Centre Region Library held its annual volunteer brunch to celebrate the work of its volunteers. The brunch was held at the Ramada Conference Center Hotel in State College.

Volunteers play a vital part in Schlow’s efforts to serve the public. Last year, Schlow had about 100 volunteers who worked in the library in year-round positions and nearly 35 more who helped during for the summer reading programs. Volunteers totaled 7,300 hours at Schlow — or the equivalent of 3 1/2 full-time employees.

“The volunteers at Schlow Library are the backbone to the services that we are able to provide to our patrons,” said Diane Schmidt, head of technical and volunteer services at Schlow. “From the beginning of Schlow, our volunteers have stepped up to provide additional support that keeps us moving forward in both our local and the library communities. There are not enough words to thank them for the solid foundation they have built and future that they help us envision.”

Schlow volunteers do a variety of jobs, including:

■ Working in the Book Return Room, checking in and sorting books and other library materials

■ Assisting in the Children’s Department with art and craft projects, picking up areas and shelving books

■ Assisting in the Adult Department, shelving books, cleaning CDs, books and DVDs and performing minor repairs to library materials

■ Assisting in the Technical Services Department, processing new materials for circulation

■ Adopting a shelf, which involves shelf-reading an assigned area of books or other materials and correctly re-shelving any misplaced items, pulling items for end-of-shelf displays and keeping the assigned area neat and organized

“Schlow is an important community resource that serves all,” said volunteer Barbara Ziff. “Spending time here has helped me realize what a broad spectrum of the community is well served by this institution, even beyond the borrowing of books.”

Originally from Taiwan, Peiying Yang said volunteering has helped her make new friends and communicate with new people.
“As a foreigner, it’s my best experience in State College,” she said. “I am so glad to volunteer here.”