What inspired you to volunteer for the Library?
When I retired, I considered the interests that defined my life so I could select among the numerous volunteer opportunities in Jacksonville. Reading has always been one of them. I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t able to read—or wishing I could.
I helped the school librarian for several years when I was in elementary school and was rarely without a book. I often had a library book perched in front of my textbook during class or beside my desk during rest periods so I could sneak in a few more pages. Volunteering at the library has turned out to be exactly the good fit I hoped—a chance to support an institution that has been an important part of my life for as long as I can remember.
What is the most rewarding part about volunteering for the Library?
The most rewarding part of volunteering at the library is knowing that I am helping connect people with books they need or will enjoy. I especially enjoy shelving books that have been placed on hold because I know someone is eagerly waiting to read them.
I also enjoy helping patrons find books. It’s satisfying when I am able to help someone locate a book they want. It reminds me that libraries are as important to the community now as they were to me as a child many decades ago.
Is there a book you recommend that everyone reads?
I don’t think there is one book that everyone should read. When patrons ask for recommendations, I usually begin by asking what kinds of books they enjoy because the best book is often the one that matches a reader’s interests.
My favorite author is probably Marie Bostwick. Her Cobbled Court Quilt series demonstrates the strength and sense of community that can grow when people come together and support one another. I met her in person at a Lit Chat at the West Branch Library. For readers who enjoy lighthearted mysteries and a bit of mayhem without violence, I often recommend the Secret of Mary’s Bookshop series. For those looking for an entertaining escape and who don’t mind a little silliness, I suggest the Miss Julia series by Ann Ross. Readers who enjoy romance but prefer less graphic content might appreciate Robyn Carr’s Virgin River series.
I also enjoy recommending historical fiction to people who consider fiction a waste of time. Books such as The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles and The Engineer’s Wife by Tracey Enerson Wood weave compelling stories into historically accurate settings and challenge that perspective.
Is there anything you've learned about the library since becoming a volunteer that you wish more people knew about?
Before volunteering, I knew the Dewey Decimal system was used to organize books, but I had no idea how useful it could be. When a patron asks where to find a nonfiction subject, I can locate it with a quick internet search for “Dewey Decimal” and the topic they mentioned. It’s an easy trick that anyone can use to find books that might interest them.
I was also fascinated to learn how consistently the system is applied throughout the library. Not only are nonfiction books organized the same way in both the adult and children’s collections, but biographies are also shelved by the category where that person gained recognition. Once you understand the system, it becomes a remarkably effective way to navigate the nonfiction and biography sections.
