Clearinghouse of Professional Information

Volunteer Management Resources

This section includes general links and resources of interest to libraries that have, or would like to develop, a managed volunteer program. SOLS services in this area are described on Information, Advice and Specialized Assistance page. Resources on Volunteer Program Management include a Frequently Ask Questions section, and a SOLS Sourcebook on Volunteers.

SOLS consulting to library boards and staff on developing a volunteer program for libraries and other volunteerism matters is assigned to Rob Lavery, who is available for advice by telephone or in person and can also be reached by email at

OLS–North provides the services of an assistant for northern libraries by phone or e-mail. For more information contact Marjatta Asu by phone 800-461-6348 ext. 212 or by-e-mail at

Topics include:

General Resources | Research | Sample Positions | Tools

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General Resources

• Volunteer Canada The national voice for volunteerism in Canada. Since 1977, Volunteer Canada has been committed to supporting volunteerism and civic participation through ongoing programs and special projects. See also A Guide to Volunteer Program Management Resources for a comprehensive listing of volunteer program resources.
• Volunteers (Charity Village) This is a general subject guide about volunteers. Here you'll find links to a wide range of resources about volunteers on this site and around the world.



• Developing and Managing Volunteer Programs (Free Management Library)
• Developing Human Resources in the Voluntary Sector (HR Council for the Voluntary & Non-profit Sector)
• General Volunteer Management (Court Appointed Special Advisors for Children (CASANet))
• Health and Safety and the Volunteer (ESAO)  Useful resource manual for any size of library.
• Resources for Volunteer Managers (ServiceLeader.org)
• Volunteers. Administration 8. Sourcebook for Small Libraries, 1993. (SOLS) An older publication, but still very comprehensive with good appendices and it’s library-specific.

Research

• Best Practices for Engaging Youth as Volunteers: Part One and  Part Two (The Rethink Group)
• Why People Volunteer (Volunteer Centre Ottawa-Carleton)

Sample Positions

• Barrie Public Library. Volunteers
Describes the types of jobs volunteers can do in the library.
• Volunteer Job descriptions. (California Library Volunteer)

Tools

• Assigning economic value to volunteer activity: Eight tools for efficient program management (.pdf) By Michelle Goulbourne and Don Embuldeniya, Canadian Centre for Philanthropy, 2002.
• How to Assign a Monetary Value to Volunteer Contributions. A manual from the Knowledge Development Centre.
• Insurance and Your Nonprofit Organization (.pdf) Office of the Superintendent of Insurance. Financial Institutions Division, Department of Environment and Labour (Nova Scotia)
• Insurance Toolkit for the Voluntary Sector: A Guide for Nonprofits and Charities (.pdf) (Calgary Chamber of Voluntary Organizations)
• Measuring the Difference Volunteers Make: A Guide to Outcome Evaluation for Volunteer Program Managers
• Measuring the economic value of volunteer activity (.pdf - 204 KB) (Canadian Centre for Philanthropy) This fact sheet provides brief descriptions of eight calculations that voluntary organizations can use to demonstrate the economic value of volunteering.
• Police Records Check (.pdf)  Information sheet.
• Screening (Volunteer Canada) Best practice guidelines.
• Valuing the Rural Volunteer (VRV) toolkit (The Ontario Rural Council) "Developed by a project team after an extensive literature review, interviews with volunteers and volunteer managers representing a wide range of sectors, and consultation with funders, policy-makers and academics. 
• Virtual Volunteering Guidebook (The Virtual Volunteering Project)
• Volunteer Vancouver. Resources Provides a connection to resources on not-for-profit management and the voluntary sector.