Conscripts only need apply?

Conscripts only need apply? Driggers, Preston, and Dumas, Eileen Managing library volunteers: apractical toolkit. Chicago: American Library Association, 2002. 176p$US38.00 (ALA members $34.20) soft ISBN ISBNabbr.International Standard Book NumberISBNInternational Standard Book NumberISBNn abbr (= International Standard Book Number) → ISBN m0838908063 IN SIMPLER YEARS, VILLAGE BRANCHES OF ENGLISH AND WELSH As an adjective "English and Welsh" refers to England and Wales.English and Welsh is the title of J. R. R. Tolkien's valedictory address to the University of Oxford of 1955, explaining the origin of the word "Welsh". COUNTYLIBRARIES were staffed by local volunteers. In Australia the schools ofarts and mechanics institute librarians were usually unpaid. In theUnited States there is a long tradition of unpaid help in public andother libraries. Modern libraries still welcome some voluntary workers. However, as professionalisation and unionism have increasedthroughout the world, there has been discussion as to whether there isnow a place for volunteers in libraries, and if so what work should theybe allowed to do. This is not always answered easily. Back in 1968Jestes and Laird in 'A time study of general reference work in auniversity library', Research in librarianship (January 1968): 9-16advocated employing trained (though possibly paid) non-professionals,finding in their survey at the University of California The University of California has a combined student body of more than 191,000 students, over 1,340,000 living alumni, and a combined systemwide and campus endowment of just over $7.3 billion (8th largest in the United States). Davis that theprofessional librarians spent only about one-eighth of desk time onprofessional tasks. With this in mind I checked to see what Driggers andDumas had to say in their section on reference requests and found thatthis was purely concerned with running background checks on would-bevolunteers. This exemplifies the purpose of the book--there is nothingabout the kind of work which volunteers could be expected to do in aprofessionalised library situation, but plenty of hints on therecruitment, training, recognition, rules and discipline, and keepingrecords of volunteers. The employment of the authors also indicates this book'sapproach--Driggers is personnel and risk manager in the Douglas PublicLibrary, whilst Dumas includes volunteer management in her duties in theAurora Public Library The Aurora Public Library is located in Aurora, Ontario, Canada. The Library has a collection of over 150,000 items. HistoryPublic library service in Aurora began in 1855 with the formation of the Aurora Association for the Diffusion of Helpful Knowledge (both in Colorado). In an increasingly legalistic le��gal��ism?n.1. Strict, literal adherence to the law or to a particular code, as of religion or morality.2. A legal word, expression, or rule. and litigious environment, libraries throughout the world are obliged topay more attention to the rights and responsibilities of volunteers, andto the duty of care which the library has towards both its own workersand members of the public. Volunteers may be restricted to tasks whichdo not involve customer records. Police checks may now be routine, andnot just a consequence of some offenders being sentenced to communityservice. 'De-volunteering' may be the only solution wheretraining has failed. Driggers and Dumas have provided us with a well-thought-out andtruly practical toolkit, with examples of forms used at Douglas PublicLibrary. Some adjustment to Australian conditions will be needed (forexample concerning anti-discrimination and disability legislation), butthis book should be read by those responsible for staff in all types oflibraries. It is clearly written and presented, logically arranged, anda useful publication for library managers. Edward R Reid-Smith, Charles Sturt University Charles Sturt University (CSU) is an Australian multi-campus university in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. It has campuses at Bathurst, Albury-Wodonga, Dubbo, Orange and Wagga Wagga.