News for the Wells Branch Library Volunteers

Happy Holidays, Wells Branch Community Library Volunteers!

I hope you all enjoy Happy Holidays and meaningful time with your family and friends.

Here are a few dates you need to know:

• The library is closed Dec. 24, 25, and 26. If you normally volunteer these days, please take note that we are not open.
  
• The next volunteer appreciation event Thursday, February 18. Mark your calendars now!
  

Thank you for a wonderful 2009, and we look forward to working together in 2010!

The Wells Branch Community Library Volunteer Appreciation Party at Kenny's Coffee House

On Thursday evening, December 3, volunteers at the Wells Branch Community Library enjoyed an evening of fresh brewed coffee, home baked brownies, sweet hot cocoa, and friendly mingling. The volunteer appreciation party occurred at Kenny's Coffee House (www.kennyscoffeeco.com), located in the Wells Branch community. It was a pleasant evening enjoyed by all!

The library will host a quarterly appreciation event for volunteers. Our volunteers make a significant difference at the library. They contribute their time, energy, experience, and skills to improve the library's programs and services. Thank you to our volunteers!

Volunteers from Connally High School, Pflugerville ISD!

Each week, 4-5 students from Connally High School volunteer at the Wells Branch Community Library. They make sure library materials are in the correct order on the shelves. The students carefully arrange various sections including the DVDs, VHS, CDs, and graphic novels (comic books).

The students volunteer at the library to experience basic, work-based training with a focus on clerical skills. Ben Hooks is their coordinator, and Sharon Glover is their job coach. When asked what they have learned from their volunteer experience at the library, they replied:

"I file DVDs. DVDs are shelved by numbers."
"I learned to shelf graphic novels."
"Nonfiction file by number, then by alphabet."
"One of the things I learned was how to stack books and cds on the shelves."
"One other thing I learned was how to work with other people to get things done faster."
"I shelved CDs."
"I shelved DVDs by number"

We appreciate their diligent help and desire to learn!

Computer classes at the Wells Branch Community Library!

Mark Talbot volunteers to teach free computer classes at the Wells Branch Community Library. On Saturday morning, November 7, he taught "Computer Basics" to a full class of eleven (11) people! One person commented "[This class] covered really basic and important things to know to best use computers. What I really needed!!!" Another person said, "This program was very useful and [I] want to learn more."

Mark carefully prepares his lessons, and he teaches with kind enthusiasm. He creates practice exercises and helpful handouts. We appreciate his expertise!

I asked Mark to share a few comments about the classes:
"The computer classes could not be a success without the enthusiasm and willingness to learn that students bring to the library. Computers do not have to be intimidating and I find that by providing a little bit of assistance that patrons of the Wells Branch library are able to quickly learn basic computer skills. I would encourage anyone who thinks that they could never learn to use a computer to sign up for a class to learn more about using the Internet, creating a web page or expanding their job search. All of our classes (including the web page class) are designed with the beginning computer user in mind. Take each class as many times as you wish and I look forward to teaching classes next year."

Our computer classes will begin again after the holidays. Stay tuned for the library's calendar of free computer classes in 2010!

Wells Branch Community Library volunteer tidies up the Young Adult section

Oralia Adame recently volunteered at the Wells Branch Community Library several mornings a week. She accomplished remarkable work in the Young Adult section, diligently organizing library materials and cleaning the shelves. Oralia worked with joy.

In these photos, Oralia is standing in the Young Adult section, and she is holding one of her favorite books. Regarding her volunteer experience, she shared these thoughts: "I absolutely loved it here! I feel like I experienced a lot with shelving the books and being sure that they are in the correct order. I felt right at home. Like I was on my own here just placing books in the correct spot. And, the people here are super nice! There is not one person that I met that had a negative attitude. Everybody had smiles on their faces and always welcomed people, including me, with open arms. I would absolutely love to volunteer here again! Thanks, Oralia."

Oralia made a big difference, and we will miss her!

Volunteers help with Monster Book Sale at Wells Branch Community Library

On Saturday, October 17, the Wells Branch Community Library hosted a huge, community book sale from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm. Dianne Koehler, a long time library board member and volunteer, led the event. We relied on the help of volunteers for the book sale's delivery.

Students from the Westwood High School Outreach group (a community service club) saw our help advertisement on Volunteer Match (www.volunteermatch.org) and eagerly signed up to help. In addition, our dependable, weekly volunteers contributed their time and assistance. Sarah Uthe, our Donations and Book Sale Volunteer, was present on both Friday evening and Saturday. All volunteers received a Wells Branch Community Library t-shirt. We cannot thank them sufficiently!

What did our volunteers do?

On Friday evening, they helped us set up. Volunteers worked together to set up tables, move and organize books, and post signs. They laughed along the way. Pizza was enjoyed by all, and a librarian's husband, who is also a volunteer, suprised us with cookies for dessert!

On Saturday morning, volunteers began showing up at 7:30 am. We thanked them with donut holes and hot coffee. Three volunteer shifts ensured we had help at all times: 7:30-9:30, 9:30-12:00, and 12:00-2:30. The volunteers assisted patrons, sorted money, and kept the tables stocked with books. Snacks were provided throughout the day.

All in all, the Monster Book Sale was successful! This was the second booksale we hosted in 2009. The first sale was in March. We want to thank the Wells Branch Community for for their generous book donations throughout the year. We appreciate your consistent support, and we are pleased to serve the community as your local library!

Eleven volunteers from Dell help tidy up the Wells Branch Community Library

On Thursday, October 8, eleven employees from Dell came to the Wells Branch Community Library to help! They volunteered their time dusting shelves, cleaning windows & tables, sorting books, and more. It was a fun and productive day for all involved, and we are very grateful for their help!