Statement on voluntary work in library and information services

Short title

Voluntary work in library and information services

ALIA objects addressed

To promote and improve the services provided by all kinds of library and information agencies

Principle

ALIA emphasises that the efficient collection, organisation and dissemination of information requires a highly-trained, paid library and information services workforce with increasingly sophisticated skills.

Statement

Use of volunteers in library and information services for specific short-term purposes is acceptable but must never compromise the quality of service provision, nor undermine paid employment in any way.

1. ALIA affirms that volunteer workers must not replace appropriately trained and paid staff:
   1. to compensate for the reduction, or withdrawal of services caused by inadequate staffing establishments, failure to fill vacant posts, or cutbacks in overall library and information services funding; or
   2. to establish and maintain library services or outreach programs which would normally be established and maintained by paid library staff.
      
      
2. The replacement of trained, paid library staff by volunteers can only lead to a deterioration in the standard and the effectiveness of services, be wasteful of resources and be detrimental to the interests of library users.
   
   
3. Groups of persons such as Library Committees, Friends of the Library, Friends of the Faculty are of value to libraries and the functions of such groups should be defined by the librarian; their role should be separate from the day-to-day operation of the library service.

Related document

Guidelines for assistance to library and information personnel in developing countries: http://www.alia.org.au/policies/developing.countries.html