Library volunteering numbers at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns


No change


Volunteer numbers reduced greatly


Volunteer numbers increased greatly


Volunteer numbers reduced slightly


Volunteer numbers increased slightly


53% 32%


Following relaxation of the Covid-19 restrictions volunteer numbers in the library service have...


37% 26%


Reduced slightly Reduced greatly Increased slightly Increased greatly


Reached pre-pandemic volunteering levels


more than halved at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. They also said that in many cases volunteers had failed to return following this period for a number of reasons, including the re-evaluation of priorities­and­finding­other­ways­to­spend­ free time. Library services reported older volunteers


were often unwilling to return for health reasons or new childcare responsibilities caused by relatives working longer hours due to the cost-of-living crisis. They also felt that many younger volunteers had moved on to paid employment.


40 INFORMATION PROFESSIONAL


Only one library service said their volun- teer numbers remained the same pre and post pandemic.


Following the pandemic a third (37 per cent) of library services who had seen losses, noted an increase in their vol- unteer numbers. But further analysis of the data showed that all library services struggled with volunteer recruitment post pandemic, and it is clear that the suc- cessful recruitment strategies are vital for ensuring healthy volunteer numbers. Over the past 10 years most library services, 84 per cent, reported the general


trend­for­FTE­staffing­has­been­one­of­ reductions. These have ranged from slightly to greatly reduced – including a halving­of­paid­staff­for­one­library­ser- vice. At least one library service reported that­staff­reductions­were­happening­ well before the original survey period. Restructuring appears to be the main method­of­achieving­paid­staff­reduc- tions through natural wastage, creation of­simplified­structures­and­reduction­of­ management roles.


Survey responses suggest this had been­offset­by­the­use­of­volunteers,­


June 2023


5%


5%


5%


11%


5%


11%


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