Volunteer Management: Everything Staff Need to Know
-
Volunteer Manual
All new volunteers should get a copy of this manual. It provides an overview of Library operations, mission, vision and principles. Updated June 2025. -
Volunteer Agreement
Volunteers must have a signed agreement on file with the Volunteer Coordinator. Updated June 2025.
-
How to Log Hours - Instructions
Set for Removal: It is very important for volunteers to log the time they spend supporting the Library. This document provides a written step-by-step on how to log hours on the Volunteer Arlington site.
-
How to Log Hours: Training Video
Set for Removal: Demonstrates how to log hours on the Volunteer Arlington website. (created Dec 2021)
-
Volunteers: Best Practices
Needs Updating: This describes best practices for volunteer supervisors about onboarding, supervising, appreciating and releasing volunteers.
-
Volunteers: Workflow
Needs Updating: This describes the workflow and responsibilities for recruiting, vetting and hiring volunteers
-
Online Form: Emergency Contact Information
Set for removal: This document will be integrated into the online application system. Volunteers must complete this form prior to onboarding. tinyurl.com/APLVolunteerInfo
Volunteer Check-in Kiosk
Follow this link to pull up the Volunteer Check-in Kiosk. This will help your volunteers log their actual hours served at the library. (link will be added in July 2025)
Hint: Your branch will need to be logged in to Galaxy Digital / Get Connected to pull up the screen.
Guidance for Staff
TERMS:
- Site Manager: Members of POP Team who have full access to the Galaxy Digital / Get Connected site.
- Program Manager: Staff who have responsibility for a set of volunteers (and the associated program or service). Program Managers have access to their set of volunteers' files. They can add shifts, log hours on behalf of volunteers, and add job ads, among other things.
- Program Facilitator: Staff or Branch email account that has read-only access to their branch volunteer schedule and contact information.
Links to Training Videos and Articles:
- Galaxy Digital / Get Connected articles and training videos coming soon.
- APL one pager coming soon.
Guidance for Volunteers
Program Manager Staff should do your best to support volunteers as they get accustomed to the new system.
New Volunteers:
- To respond to an opportunity, they will need to set up a profile with Galaxy Digital / Get Connected.
- Adults (high school graduates and older) will follow the "Adult Track."
- Youth (6th - 12th grade) will follow the "Youth Track."
Existing Volunteers:
- Volunteers who are already in the system but are interested in new roles will need to still need to meet with the program manager to determine if they are a good fit for the new role.
- Volunteers should log their hours in one of the following ways:
- by using the staff-provided kiosk site on a work computer.
- by logging into their account.
- by using the volunteer app.
- by asking staff to log their hours for them.
Questions, Problems or Concerns?
- Explore the help pages on Get Connected.
- Contact Jennifer Odlum or Katherine Chiriboga