Junior Friends of the Homewood Library

The Next Generation of VolunteersInma Leonard & Sarah Gearhart

Homewood Public Library

How it all started…

• The Jr. Friends of the Homewood Library started in 2008.

• Initiated by Friends of the Library parents to provide school age children an opportunity to volunteer at the library and participate in service projects that benefit the community.

• Financially supported by the Friends of the Homewood Library (FOHL).

Mission• The Junior Friend’s mission is to

–Promote community service and volunteerism among our youngest patrons and families.

–Support the Friends of the Homewood Public Library mission.

–Strengthen relationships between staff & community members.

Community Service

• A key component of the Jr. Friends mission is to promote community service.

• Jr. Friends achieve this goal by completing projects or volunteering in ways that benefit the community as a whole.

Membership • The Jr. Friends is membership

based.• Membership is $2 a year-

includes a book bag, project materials, and monthly meeting dinners.• Sign in during Summer Reading

Kick-Off.• Membership growth:

– 2008 56 members 2009 147 members

– 2010 119 members 2011 143 members– 2012 140 members 2013 135 members

Travelling Jr. Friends Contest

• Jr. Friends have the opportunity to showcase their new Jr. Friends book bags each summer by taking pictures throughout the community or during their summer vacations.

• Lucky winners receive cool prizes

(Raving Waters Park passes in 2013)

Travelling Junior Friends 2013

Travelling Junior Friends 2013

Monthly Meetings• Jr. Friends meet monthly from Sept.

to May.• Meetings take place on Fridays from

5-6:30 PM.• Jr. Friends under 8 years of age must

be accompanied by a parent/adult during the meeting.

• Prior to the meetings parent volunteers and youth librarians coordinate project needs.

• Meeting night we complete the project, have dinner, and play games.

Annual Projects–Blankets for seniors–Blood drive Thank You bags–School supplies for kids @

homeless shelters–Dog toys for animal shelters–Valentine Day’s Cards for Veterans–National Library Week decorations–Holiday presents for staff & board

members–Respond Now Food Drive

On the road projects

• This past year the Jr. Friends took their volunteer efforts on the road by– Producing a play & providing an

afternoon of games at Freedom Village Senior Residence

– Creating Reading Buddies for McClellan Elementary

Benefits to the Library

• Jr. Friends have created stronger collaborations between Friends of the Library, Parents, Librarians and Community members.

• Multiple community need addressed via volunteer efforts.

• Unique program that provides volunteer opportunities for young children.

• Increased attendance in Youth Department programs.

Challenges

• Recruiting parent volunteers.

• Finding creative and affordable projects.

• Engaging children of different ages and abilities.

• Staff time.

National Library Week- Butterfly Decorations 2011

Patrons were given butterfly magnets as

they checked out materials

National Library Week 2011

A big “Thank You” to our patrons

Jr. Friend Volunteers on National Library Week 2011

National Library Week- Flower Pens 2012

Over 100 pens were created and

distributed to patrons over

National Library Week.

National Library Week- Flower Pens 2012

National Library Week- Flowers 2013

A variety of flower

arrangements were created

using recycled books and

magazines.

Valentine’s Day Cards for Veterans

Over 250 cards are annually

made and sent

nationwide

Valentine Day’s Cards for Veterans

Respond Now Food Drive

• In 2011 Jr. Friends conducted their first food drive to help a local food shelter.

• The effort brought together the library, the school district, and the Jr. Friends.

• Over 500 items collected.

Respond Now Food Drive 2012

• Eager Jr. Friends decorated placemats and grocery bags for Respond Now.

• Jr. Friends filled ready to go grocery bags for shelter to distribute to families.

Blankets for SeniorsJr. Friends created

lap blankets for local

community seniors

Thank You Bags for Firemen

Jr. Friends created Thank

You bags for local firemen

Board Members & Staff Holiday Gifts

• Each year Jr. Friends create holiday gifts for board members and library staff.

Thank You Bags 2013

• At each meeting Jr. Friends create

“Thank You” bags for Friends of the

Homewood Library

volunteers and for any special

programs at the Library.

Fall Decorations 2013

• In preparation for an off-site visit to a local senior residence Jr. Friends created “Treat bags” and Fall Decorations for the residents