Research Proposal: Motivating Volunteers

Elizabeth Karges

LIS7050

December 18, 2014

Purpose of Study/Problem Statement

• Library budgets are tight, volunteers are an invaluable resource• Volunteers add to the work librarians are able to do

(Jacobson, 2010)• Purpose: By understanding the factors that

motivate current library volunteers to donate their time and energy, librarians can more easily recruit and retain volunteers

Research Question & Hypotheses

• RQ: What factors motivate people to volunteer at their library?• H1: Volunteers in the library are more likely to be

autonomously motivated (in contrast to controlled motivation).• H2: Volunteers are motivated to participate in library

programs due to their personal values (i.e. altruism, a desire to improve their community) and personal enhancement (i.e. psychological growth).

Literature Review: Volunteers in Libraries

• Bernier (2009): addressed young adult participation rates in the Oakland Public Library system• YAs made up over half the volunteer hours contributed, with most

hours contributed during the months of June, July and December

• Curry (1996): Volunteer participation in unionized Canadian libraries• Smaller libraries utilize volunteers more frequently than larger

libraries

• Waters & Bortree (2012): Volunteer retention with regards to gender differences• Women felt more included in organizational peer groups• Men felt more included in management decisions

Literature Review: Motivation to Volunteer

• Clary & Snyder (1999): Volunteer Functions Inventory (VFI), 6 items:• Values• Understanding• Career• Protective• Social• Enhancement

• “Matching Hypothesis:” messages tailored to the person’s motivation caused greater intent to volunteer

Literature Review: Motivation to Volunteer

• Bidee et al (2013): volunteer motivation as it correlates to work effort

• Self Determination Theory (SDT):• Autonomous motivation: volunteers are motivated by VFI factors• Controlled motivation: volunteers are obligated to contribute their

time

• Findings: Volunteers make a stronger work effort when motivated autonomously

• Controlled motivation did not have a positive or negative effect on work effort

Literature Review: Motivation to Volunteer

• Moore, Warta & Erichsen (2014): volunteer habits of college students as related to demographics, religiosity, personality, and motivation to volunteer• Sample displayed moderately religious behavior• Students who volunteered with religious or child/education

organizations displayed higher religiosity• “Agreeableness” was the highest average personality trait among

the sample size• Strongest motivation to volunteer was personal values, followed by

understanding

Methodology: Sampling Procedures

• Target population: current volunteers in the Hennepin County Library (HCL) system

• Convenience Sampling: submit survey to department heads at HCL for distribution to their volunteers

• Of those who respond, 20 will be randomly selected to participate in follow-up interviews

• Compensation: none for completing the survey, $10 Dunn Bros. gift card for participating in interview

Methodology: Data Collection

1. Survey: three sections• Volunteer motivation via the Self Determination Theory:

• Autonomous motivation vs. controlled motivation• Motivation to volunteer in library via the Volunteer Functions

Inventory:• Values, understanding, career, protective, social, enhancement

• Demographic information (age, gender, income, religious affiliation)

2. Interview:• In-depth discussion of motivations to volunteer• Explores motivation possibilities outside SDT/VFI

• IRB: Expedited review required• Interviews would be recorded (confidentiality is assured)• Minimal risks to participants, no deception required

Methodology: Measurements

• Independent Variables:• Type of motivation experienced by volunteer (autonomous,

controlled)• If applicable, type of autonomous motivation experienced by

volunteer (values, understanding, social, career, protection, enhancement)

• Interview may uncover motivations to volunteer outside those listed here

• Conceptualization: Survey items and subsequent interview questions

• Dependent Variable:• Intention to volunteer in the library• Conceptualization of volunteering: planned work done without

remuneration in the library

Conclusion

Studying the motivations of volunteers is not new, but the motivations of volunteers to participate in the library is an under-researched area. By studying the motivations of volunteers in the library, volunteer coordinators would be more able to understand how to recruit and retain volunteers.

Questions?

References

• Bernier, A. (2009). Young Adult Volunteering in Public Libraries: Managerial Implications. Library Leadership & Management, 23(3), 133-139.

• Bidee, J., Vantilborgh, T., Pepermans, R., Huybrechts, G., Willems, J., Jegers, M., & Hofmans, J. (2013). Autonomous Motivation Stimulates Volunteers’ Work Effort: A Self-Determination Theory Approach to Volunteerism. Voluntas: International Journal Of Voluntary & Nonprofit Organizations, 24(1), 32-47.

• Clary, E. G., & Snyder, M. (1999). The Motivations to Volunteer: Theoretical and Practical Considerations. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 8(5), 156-159.

• Curry, A. (1996). Volunteers in Unionized Canadian Public Libraries: A Finely Tuned Partnership. Libraries & Culture, 31(1), 144-158.

• Hewitt, B., & Eve, J. (2012). The Use of Volunteers in Local Study Library Projects: A Case Study of the Walter Gardiner Photography Project. Evidence Based Library and Information Practice, 7(1), 41-52.

References

• Moore, E. W., Warta, S., & Erichsen, K. (2014). College Students’ Volunteering: Factors Related to Current Volunteering, Volunteer Settings, and Motives for Volunteering. College Student Journal, 48(3), 386-396. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1625023766?accountid=26879

 

• Nicol, E. A., & Johnson, C. M. (2008). Volunteers in Libraries: Program Structure, Evaluation, and Theoretical Analysis. Reference and User Services Quarterly, 48(2), 154-163.

• Waters, R. D., & Bortree, D. S. (2012). Improving volunteer retention efforts in public library systems: how communication and inclusion impact female and male volunteers differently. International Journal of Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Marketing, 17, 92-107. DOI: 10.1002/nvsm.438

• Zimmeck, M. (2000). The Right Stuff: New Ways of Thinking About Managing Volunteers. Institute for Volunteering Research. Retrieved from http://www.ivr.org.uk/images/stories/Institute-of-Volunteering-Research/Migrated-Resources/Documents/R/The_Right_Stuff.pdf.