Report on ALIA Local Studies (WA) Group half-day seminar on volunteers in local studies

Most local studies collections are run by staff who work part-time and are assisted by volunteers. The main reason for this is that these collections are inadequately funded and are managed by staff who share their local studies role with other work in the library, museum or other heritage institution. Museums often have more involvement with volunteers than do libraries, and the transition from museum to local studies work is easily accommodated. The increasing numbers of people who volunteer their time and work and the recent trend to formalise the management of volunteers puts greater pressure on Local Studies practitioners to be aware of community expectations and their role and responsibility in the area of employing volunteers. This is why the ALIA Local Studies (WA) Group felt a need to hold a half day seminar on volunteers in local studies.

The seminar was held at the Joondalup Public Library on Wednesday 3 August 2004 and addressed the questions 'Why, How and What of Volunteers in Local Studies' - why employ volunteers, how to do this with best practice principles and what kind of work would volunteers do in Local Studies. A discussion panel concluded the afternoon by answering questions from the floor. Presenters were Malcolm Traill of Albany local studies, Jo Cutten of City of Nedlands Volunteer Centre, Barbara Hellriegel, local studies librarian and Margaret Field a volunteer from Joondalup Local Studies. Julie Zuvela introduced the speakers and Allan Caddy of Bassendean Library chaired the discussion panel. A welcome to all was given by Joe Bontempo, manager of strategic services, Joondalup Library and a yummy afternoon tea was provided by the City of Joondalup. Nineteen people attended the seminar and participants ranged from as far a field as New Norcia and Bunbury to practitioners from the metropolitan area.

The seminar was very beneficial to those who have previously not had much involvement with volunteers and do not know what tasks may be appropriate to expect them to do. The presentation by Jo Cutten from Nedlands was particularly timely and valuable as the employment of volunteers has become so much more formalised in recent times. Coupled with this formalisation is an increased expectation of recognition for volunteer work by way of training opportunities and skills enhancement as well as celebrating their contribution and successes. Volunteers at both Albany and Joondalup local studies collections have been very involved in ongoing projects and have contributed immensely to the success of these collections. Malcolm and Barbara were able to demonstrate the type of work undertaken at each collection and have both benefited from the skills and local knowledge that volunteers bring to their collections. Margaret Field is a volunteer at Joondalup Local Studies and has conducted a number of oral history interviews and research for a major 'stories from the suburbs' project.

Margaret was able to answer questions about being a volunteer in the program.

Barbara Helger
Local studies librarian, Joondalup Public Library

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