San José Public Library Celebrates its Volunteer during National Volunteer Week
San José, Calif., – The San José Public Library (SJPL) celebrates its volunteers’ diverse talents and expertise year round, but its during National Volunteer Week, April 23 – April 29, that library staff take it up a notch to recognize and thank library volunteers for lending their time, talent, voice and support to causes they care about in their community.
Volunteerism has been increasing at all 24 library locations: last year, 2,967 volunteers donated 85,000 hours to support library programs and services; that’s 300 more volunteers and 7,700 more service hours than donated in the prior year.
When asked, 96% of volunteers said they recommend SJPL as a place to volunteer. The commitment library staff have to ensure volunteers succeed has tremendous benefits for library customers. Last year alone:
- 5,800 attendees improved their English language skills at the library’s ESL Conversation Clubs
- Reading to Children volunteers provided over 6,500 critical early literacy experiences
- STEAM volunteers led workshops and classes where 6,900 participants gained critical 21st century skills
- 3,500 attendees met their academic goals at Library Homework Clubs
Every year, each library branch and unit selects a volunteer they want to acknowledge as their Volunteer of the Year. From these nominees, one volunteer is selected for system-wide recognition. As always we recognize the great contributions and efforts of all our winners. Join us in congratulating the 2017 SJPL System Volunteer of the Year — Jaximus Park, a high school student and volunteer from the Youth Services unit at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library.
For information on Volunteer Week or volunteer opportunities, visit: sjpl.org/volunteers.
