So you want to volunteer?

To celebrate National Volunteer Week 2010 (10-16 May) we sat down with JP and asked him to tell us a little about himself and about volunteering at Hurstville City Library. JP came to the LMG via St George Sutherland Community College. At the time, the library was moving from a manual computer booking system to the new self service system. The LMG receives a large number of volunteer requests and JP stood out for his excellent customer service skills, Information Technology (IT) background, and willingness to assist staff.

Tell us a little about yourself

I was a recent arrival to Australia, and by profession I am a software engineer. I hoped to start a new career in Australia. I live in the St George area and enjoy the cultural diversity here.

What made you want to volunteer at the LMG?

Hurstville City Library is one of the busiest libraries in the St George area. It is not only equipped with a huge number of public computers but also provides many services to the community. Being a resident nearby, I’ve always wanted to contribute to the community and learn to work in a multicultural environment like the library, especially in the IT area. I was lucky to be introduced by St George and Sutherland Community College and in a short time had the opportunity to volunteer in the library.

What skills make a good volunteer?

A good volunteer should perform tasks with dedication and respect. Meeting the needs of LMG customers is so important. Volunteers need to be ethical, honest and well meaning when dealing with customers. What do you enjoy most about volunteering? Volunteering is one way to participate in the local community and to gain work experience. The thing I enjoyed most was the knowledge and skills learnt from the library staff. Library staff are helpful, patient and always willing to share their knowledge. Also, I’ve greatly improved my communication skills since I joined up as a volunteer.

What advice would you give anyone interested in volunteering?

Always be willing to learn and ask for guidance from the staff, and be ready to provide assistance to the staff at any time when required. Always share the knowledge you have with others.

NOTE: JP was recently appointed the Hurstville City Library Museum & Gallery’s new Intranet/IT Facilitator. Congratulations, JP! To volunteer at Hurstville City Library Museum & Gallery, go to: http://lmg.hurstville.nsw.gov.au/Become-a-volunteer.html