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Duluth Public Library Seeks Volunteers to Help Bring Back Home Library Services

The Duluth Public Library is recruiting volunteers for a new Home Delivery Service program, expected to start in late spring.  Volunteers are needed to select and deliver books to people in the community who are not able to physically visit the library.

The Duluth Public Library used to offer home delivery service but had to discontinue it in 2008, due to budget and staffing cuts.  “We are very excited to be at a point where we can consider bringing this much needed and appreciated service back to Duluth,” says Renee Zurn, Digital & Outreach Library Supervisor. 

The revised Home Delivery Service program will harness the power of volunteers as partners.  The number of volunteers who commit to the program will determine the number of people who will be able to receive the service. “We’ve had a number of residents request this service over the last few years and just as many ask about volunteering at the library,” Zurn says.  When the library discontinued home delivery services in 2008, there were nearly 100 participants.  The library hopes that there is enough volunteer interest to meet at least half that number.

“It was so hard to see the program go away,” says Zurn.  “We hope the community will be excited about helping to make library services more available to people who can't visit us." 

Interested volunteers should call or email Cheryl Skafte, Volunteer Coordinator, at 218-730-4334 or cskafte@duluthmn.gov to request an application.  Potential volunteers are asked to submit their application no later than Friday, March 29.    

Volunteers should expect to serve around 4-6 hours a month.  Training will be provided.  A more detailed description and a volunteer application is available online at www.duluth.lib.mn.us.  Read below for brief information about the two Home Delivery Service volunteer opportunities:

Contact Volunteer
Volunteer contacts Home Library Service users to discuss book interests and requests.  Using the patron's account, the volunteer selects, checks out and bags the requested books for the patron, preparing them for delivery volunteers. Every effort will be made to match volunteers with Home Library Service users with similar book interests.

Delivery Volunteer 
Volunteer drivers deliver and pick up loaned materials from Home Library Service users.  Volunteers' preferences for delivery routes will be considered. The bags of library materials may be picked up and dropped off at any Duluth Public Library location. 

Cheryl Skafte

Volunteer Coordinator | City of Duluth

411 W. 1st Street | Duluth, MN 55802

218-730-4334 (office) | 218-393-9879 (cell)

cskafte@duluthmn.gov | www.duluthmn.gov

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