BY DARRELL HALEN

One day every week, Jeanne Rouleau shelves books at the Nesmith Library. As a volunteer, she doesn’t get paid.

But the library’s staff appreciates her help.

Rouleau was one of a dozen volunteers who were honored at a Friday, April 27, tea held at the library. 

“Everyone appreciates you,” adult services librarian Diane Mayr told the gathering. “They may not always say it, but they really, really do.”

In 2006, volunteers provided more than 1,216 hours of service and shelved 176,859 items.

“Last year was a banner year for our circulation,” Mayr said. “Our circulation – the number of books that go out – was at a record number. And everyone of those books that goes out comes back in.”

The library’s volunteer program has about 30 members. The staff is honoring all members, but not all of them were able to attend the event.

“I’m always here getting books so I figured I’ll do something while I’m here,” said Judy Romano, who began volunteering about three years ago after retiring.

“It’s a pleasant thing to do,” said Rouleau, who’s been a volunteer since the program began in 1998.
“We like books.”

While employees working at the circulation desk shelve large print books and audiovisual materials when they have time, the library has no staff dedicated to shelving items.

Volunteers allow the library to forgo hiring extra help, saving the taxpayers some money.

“Without them, people would have to pull books out of stacks around the circulation desk,” circulation coordinator Terrie Marietta said with a smile. “We definitely rely on them.”

She praised volunteer Holly Eddy, who helps out in the children’s area restocking books from a cart.

“Holly will stay until the whole cart is empty,” Marietta said. “That’s a lot of picture books.”

During the event, each volunteer received certificates of appreciation from the library and the town, and volunteer pins from each. They also received a small book light.

The baked goods they enjoyed were made by the staff.

“It’s our expression of gratitude,” said Mayr.

Mayr said the volunteers include folks from Easter Seals who dust and shelve children’s video tapes, the library trustees  and Joyce Wilt, who edits the library’s monthly newsletter.