Our partners, the Panevėžys County Gabrielė Petkevičaitė-Bitė Public Library and the Municipal Public Library in Chrzanów, are working together again to showcase their volunteer programs and the benefits of sharing time and effort to improve public library services, fostering the personal and cultural development of their users. In this regard, both libraries have prepared the following information.
From Municipal Public Library in Chrzanów:
Our library is fortunate to have many kind-hearted individuals throughout the year who contribute their talent, time, and expertise to our activities.
Our volunteers are among these remarkable people. They are individuals who, under formal agreements, perform specific tasks on a voluntary basis and assist librarians in their work. The scope and nature of these tasks are tailored to each volunteer. This might include support for organised events, contributions to the creation of the Chrzanów Land Digital Archive (a collection of photographs, letters, diaries, and documents made available to readers for educational, regional, and research purposes), or involvement in other activities.
In addition, the library offers its space to foundations, associations, and informal groups that make valuable contributions to enhancing local cultural life. These groups organise charity events, expert talks, workshops, walks, and more. We are delighted that our library serves as a hub where enthusiasts are eager to share their passions with others. Without them, our library would be a very different place.
We are immensely grateful for this collaboration. As a token of our appreciation, we traditionally express our thanks during the December Gala of the Festival of Help, Cooperation, and Integration to all those who selflessly support us.
From Panevėžys County Gabrielė Petkevičaitė-Bitė Public Library:
The library is becoming an increasingly popular place for volunteering. Active young people and creative adults successfully volunteer at the Bitė Library.
The Open Youth Space is always ready to welcome entrepreneurial young individuals who are not only capable and willing to assist with events and activities, learn, and participate but also initiate and organise engaging activities for their peers and other library visitors. The library takes pride in its young volunteers, who launch and lead creative activities, leisure clubs, teach others to play musical instruments, and help others delve into the complexities of painting, photography, and graphic design. The staff of the Open Youth Space appreciate the creativity and ingenuity of volunteers in organising discussions, contributing to prevention efforts, and addressing various social issues.
“The library is a great place to explore new forms of volunteering and engage in diverse activities,” says Jakūbas, a volunteer at the Open Youth Space with five years of experience volunteering at a Children’s Day Centre and a decade as a veteran volunteer.
“I started volunteering through friends. By the second day, I already felt at home here!” shares Rapolas, another volunteer at the Open Youth Space.
Bitė Library is proud that several of its staff members began their careers as volunteers within the institution.
Adult volunteers also play an active role in the library. They contribute significantly to club activities, assist leaders, organise events themselves, run hobby groups, and represent the library at national and international events.
“Volunteering is about companionship, striving to grow spiritually and intellectually alongside others, sharing the best experiences and knowledge. It brings new insights, broader horizons, and most importantly, a sense of meaning and depth, knowing that everything you give contributes to building a stronger community and a better society” says Jūratė, a library volunteer and the leader of the Bitė Book Club.
“As a volunteer, I feel I’m not just an enthusiast of my club but also an ambassador for our library and our city” shares Artūras, a member of the English conversation club Let’s Talk.
“Volunteering has greatly strengthened my sense of empathy. The women I meet in the club are like mothers or sisters to me. The most important aspect of our club is companionship and sharing” says Laimutė, a volunteer from the knitting club Visos Geros.
The success stories of library volunteers demonstrate that by participating in the library’s life, community members not only improve and educate themselves but also foster progress and create value for society, represent the library, and promote its services.
For more information, visit the Municipal Public Library in Chrzanów and Panevėžys County Gabrielė Petkevičaitė-Bitė Public Library websites.
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