A report1 recently added to our collection tells the history of volunteerism at Hagley. Beginning in January 1978, the first volunteers supported Museum operations, and over the next thirty years their efforts expanded into the Library and External Affairs as well. I know first-hand that many talented women and men have offered their services to help organize and maintain the Published Collections. In fact, we now boast a few individuals whose performance is not only figuratively, but literally, out of sight.
Three years ago our department switched to a web-based integrated library system. EOS.Web lets us carry out key cataloging and circulation tasks via the World Wide Web in lieu of the former network of computer hardware and software. One particular volunteer named Andrea has developed an expertise in editing bibliographic records on EOS here at Hagley. Since she has moved away from our region, a simple internet connection allows us to incorporate her continued activity from afar. Working from an Excel spreadsheet containing a detailed inventory of our local holdings on microfiche, Andrea searches the OCLC cataloging utility online and imports matching Bib records into EOS. We now credit Andrea with contributing to our online public access catalog (OPAC) more than 350 records for our microfilm collection of corporation annual reports.
Success builds upon success, as they say. And so we advance new routes of entry into our technical services routines via cyber service. As our department carries out a retrospective conversion of the David Sarnoff Library card catalog into our OPAC, we follow a team approach. On-site we have volunteers who identify each 3 x 5 inch “main entry” card that requires conversion, as well as cataloging staff who handle the OCLC database search for matching electronic records. Off-site, we have volunteers who complete the process of integrating each copy-record into our local EOS system. One person we recruited for this operation is a former Hagley aide named Mary who, as a faraway library school grad student, was keen to add some practical experience to her course work. We also cross-train local volunteers such as Dorri and Jennette on this procedure, to give them an alternate assignment on days when inclement weather or family responsibilities prevent them from leaving home.
As I write this article, I find that the Google search engine posts about 330,000 hits for the term “virtual volunteer.” I read that the practice of providing complimentary service to a distant organization through the use of a computer dates back to the 1970s with Project Gutenberg, and furthermore that there have been millions of cases tracked by VolunteerMatch.orgever since. So it appears that the growth of volunteerism at Hagley coincides with the spread of cyber service throughout the world. From my point of view, the marriage of the two is a win-win situation. Technical services involve a range of “high touch” and “high tech” functions. Whether engaging with the rare and unique materials in our collection on-site or far afield, the opportunity for a rewarding experience is more than a remote possibility!
1Nicholl, Rosemarie H. Volunteerism at the Hagley Museum and Library : a Thirty Year History. [Wilmington, Del.? : s.n., 2008].
Marking “main entry” cards for conversion is a hands-on activity for local volunteer Lee.
Completing copy records online is a web-based activity for remote volunteer Andrea.
Alice Hanes is a Technical Services Librarian at Hagley.