A Quarterly Publication of Douglas County Libraries Volunteer Services
Vanguard
Spring 2015 Edition
National Volunteer Week
April 12-18, 2015
Thank you for serving our library community!
Make sure to stop by your branch to see your Volunteer Coordinator for a special thank-you gift during National Volunteer Week.
It Takes a Village to be a Successful Library
It is unknown whether the saying “It takes a village to raise a child” originated in ancient Africa or in a Native American tribe.
However, it is true for not only children, but our libraries. It takes a village to create a successful library district.
In 2014, Douglas County Libraries volunteers logged more than 38,000 hours. These hours included all the volunteers who help
in our seven branches, the Douglas County History Research Center, and Adult Literacy program; in the community as part of
our Book Start, Spellbinders, Homebound Delivery and Silver Stories programs; in our back office operations; and our Board
of Trustees overseeing our district’s strategy and operations. The tasks are many and varied and would be difficult for our staff
to do without the help of great volunteers.
The 38,000 hours are down slightly from almost 40,000 hours in 2013. We expected this. Douglas County Libraries took the
lead on the development of the new Volunteer Connect Douglas County website launched at the beginning of 2014. Potential
volunteers see not only our volunteer opportunities on the website, but those of our partners in the county. Volunteers have a
one-stop place to find just the right volunteer opportunity, whether it is at Douglas County Libraries or another organization
providing services to our community. We are confident that our numbers will again grow as we continue to find new ways
to use volunteers in our libraries and as we open our new branches in Castle Pines, Parker and Lone Tree.
Thank you to our village of volunteers for another successful year!
Written by Andrea Spronk, Branch Volunteer Coordinator
Philip S. Miller and Louviers branches
Safety Tip
If you find yourself feeling under the weather, how do you decide if you are too sick to volunteer? Many people struggle with this,
so here are some things to consider:
• Do/did you have a fever?
• Are you contagious?
• Will resting at home help you overcome the illness?
• How well can you carry out your volunteer duties?
• Are you taking medications that could impair your ability to operate machinery or drive?
We love having you here to volunteer, but first and foremost, we want you feeling well. Please remember to
take care of yourself first. If you can’t volunteer due to illness, please give your Branch Volunteer Coordinator
notice prior to your shift or contact your MHT Department if you are providing shelving assistance.
Program Highlight: Teen Library CouncilAnd the Survey
Says…
Teens involved in Douglas County Libraries’
Teen Library Council (TLC) help plan and
execute library programs, have a voice in teen
library spaces, and make new friends.
For instance, the James H. LaRue branch TLC
helped design holes for Caddy Stacks mini-golf
events and created a video for Banned Books
Week. They’ve also become pen pals with 4th-6th
graders and help with children’s programming.
Last year, they marched in the Highlands Ranch
annual July 4th parade, representing Douglas
County Libraries.
Regis Jesuit sophomore Natasha Jain joined the TLC at the James H. LaRue branch when she was 13 years old. She shared,
“At TLC, I am around people who share my same passion for literature. I’ve learned self-confidence when talking, to take
leadership, and how to own my ideas. Before TLC, I didn’t know the amount of time and effort the library staff put into
planning teen programs. Now, I’ve learned how much effort it takes to put on these programs.”
Parker’s 26-member TLC plans and runs Fall Fest, an annual Halloween program for young children. In March, they helped
organize a food drive in collaboration with the Parker Task Force. They also volunteer at Life-Sized Family Game Night,
Mockingjay Challenge, Barker Days, and Caddy Stacks.
Long-time Parker TLC member Catie Giraldes’ favorite activity to plan is Fall Fest. “I’ve noticed that by participating in TLC,
I’ve been growing my leadership skills as well as learning how to organize events,” said Catie. She’s also learned a lot about her
local library. “So often we only think our libraries have books, but they have so many activities and research capabilities. The
library also provides teens with a safe environment in our community.”
When Philip S. Miller branch TLC facilitator Lori Crocker talks with a teen interested in TLC, she asks, “‘What do you want
to see the library provide to teens?’ It’s about their ideas, and I try to facilitate their vision.” Her group this year is planning its
first “Novel Con(ference)” event in which they’ll have panel discussions, booths and a festival for book lovers. Her teens
proposed the idea in fall, Lori took it to an internal committee, and the idea was approved. The event will be held this June at
the Philip S. Miller branch. Lori shared, “TLC teens are invested in the libraries and they can see their impact directly. They
bring incredible value to us with their creativity, ideas and hard work.” Philip S. Miller member Tomianne Trujillo’s favorite
activity to plan has been the Teen Fashion Show in which teens make outfits using unique materials. In the past, they’ve used
denim, duct tape, and comic books.
The Castle Pines TLC helps out with events including Slick
Science and Reading Buddies. They also help teen librarians
determine what’s hot and what’s not in the teen collection.
Lone Tree’s group also plays a crucial role in Fall Fest at their
branch. At the holidays, their TLC teens read stories and
helped kids decorate sugar cookies and create pop-up cards
at their “Cookies and Cards” program.
Staff leads for TLC are Andrea Wyant and Liz Powell (Parker),
Jill Swanstrom (Castle Pines), Angie Brown (JHL),
Dana Dejong-Boots (Lone Tree), and Lori Crocker (PSM).
“We are so lucky to have such great kids as a part of our
groups around the district,” said Angie Brown.
Each branch has its own group that meets monthly for about an hour. To learn about TLC opportunities at a
branch near you, search for “Teen Library Council” on VolunteerConnectDC.org.
Vanguard - Douglas County Libraries Volunteer Newsletter
2
Parker volunteers
help guests create
Frankentoys!
Volunteers help guests create their Frankentoys.
Some of the finished Frankentoys.
We hope you enjoyed a DCL holiday celebration.
Parker Volunteers enjoy a holiday luncheon including festive
centerpieces.
Lone Tree Volunteers’ holiday dinner.
van.guard noun \’van-gärd\
1. the leading position of a movement, field or
cultural trend
2. the people who are foremost in a movement,
field or cultural trend
3
Vanguard - Douglas County Libraries Volunteer Newsletter
Testimonials
“I love all our volunteers. I couldn’t do my job without them. I adore our teen volunteers. We can’t thank them enough,
~Lisa Casper, Branch Program Liaison, James H. LaRue branch
and they make our programs better.” “The work of the front-end library, the Douglas County History Research Center, and our many behind-the-scenes district
departments would not be as great without the volunteers helping in the many ways they do.” ~Jaime Gotlieb, Branch Manager, Philip S. Miller and Louviers branches
Volunteer Charter
We value our volunteers and provide new skills, personal
growth, community involvement, work experience and
public acknowledgement.
Mission
Douglas County Libraries is a passionate
advocate for literacy and lifelong learning.
Thank you
for improving the quality of life in our community through volunteering at the
library!
Volunteer Services
Ali Ayres, District Volunteer Services Supervisor
[email protected], 303.688.7738
James H. LaRue, Highlands Ranch
Kim McClintock, Branch Volunteer Coordinator
[email protected], 720.348.9541
Lone Tree & Castle Pines
Teresa LeFevre, Branch Volunteer Coordinator
[email protected], 303.858.9887
Louviers & Philip S. Miller, Castle Rock
Andrea Spronk, Branch Volunteer Coordinator
[email protected], 303.688.7637
Parker
Sylvia Wilkinson, Branch Volunteer Coordinator
[email protected], 303.841.6942
DouglasCountyLibraries.org
Roxborough
Molly Frauenhoff, Patron Services Mentor
mfrauenhoff.org, 303.791.7323
Book Start
Geri Domareck, Book Start Coordinator
[email protected], 303.688.7658
Literacy Department
Tiffany Curtin, Adult Literacy Specialist
[email protected], 303.688.7646
Laura Olson, Childhood Literacy Specialist
[email protected], 303.688.7626
303.791.7323