Volunteer Center

Indiana State Library

General Information

Address
315 W Ohio St

City
Indianapolis, IN 46224

Contact Information

Name
Daina Bohr

Email
islvolunteer@library.in.gov

Phone
317-232-3689

Website
http://www.in.gov/library/

Volunteer Information

Mission
The Indiana State Library is responsible for: Developing and providing library services to state government, its branches, its departments and its officials and employees; Providing for the individual citizens of the state those specialized library services not generally appropriate, economical or available in other libraries of the state; Encouraging and supporting the development of the library profession; and Strengthening services of all types of publicly and privately supported special, school, academic, and public libraries. Through its history, the Indiana State Library has developed strong collections in the fields of Indiana history and culture, Indiana state government and United States government publications, Indiana newspapers, genealogy and family history resources on Indiana and the eastern United States, Braille, large print, and books on tape for the visually impaired, library science, and American history, politics, and economics. Its collections in these areas support research by state agency employees, scholars, genealogists, librarians, students, Indiana residents who are blind or physically challenged, and the general public. The Library Development Office works to improve and support the libraries of Indiana through assistance, training, and supervising the distribution of state and federal funds.

Volunteer Opportunities

Tour Guides for 4th Grade School Pursuit of Pride Tour Groups

Date & Time: Long-term position. Flexible shifts are available for volunteers during the school year . Tours are usually between the hours of 10 and 1 in the morning during the school day and last about an hour Training consists of an hour and a half training session and tour observations to familiarize the new guide with the tours.

Position Summary: Volunteers are needed to do tours at the Indiana State Library for student groups including teachers and parents as part of the Pursuit of Pride Tours, which was started by the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site. The goal of the Pursuit of State Pride Field Trips is to give students an opportunity to visit three locations with state-wide historical relevance all in one day. The sites are the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, the State House, and the Indiana State library. On the Library’s part of the tour students will learn about state government, the unique historical significance of Indiana, and how preserving and accessing Indiana’s valuable manuscripts and collections is accomplished at the state library. Students will receive an introduction to the various divisions of the Indiana State Library and will also receive a tour of our historic 1934 Art Deco building. Training will be provided.

Major Responsibilities: Provide tours of the Library for 4th Grade Students as part of the Pursuit of Pride Program.

Qualifications: Volunteers need to have:

  • Leadership Skills / Tour Guides will need to monitor student behavior as they tour the library and address behavior concerns in an authoritative manner including:
    • Quieting students
    • Moving students efficiently in a group
    • Redirecting student attention
    • Making decisions based on situation and information available
  • Public Speaking Skills / Tour Guides will need to be able to deliver information about the State Library’s building in a clear and understandable manner. Tour Guides will need to be able to work off a bulleted list of items to talk about. Tour Guides will need to familiarize themselves with facts about the Indiana State Library’s 1934 historic art-deco building.
  • Teamwork Skills / Tour Guides need to be able to work in a team with other tour guides and need to be able to take direction from a Field Trip Leader.
  • Time Management Skills / Tour Guides need to be able to adjust their tours based on Leader recommendations to fit the tour length needed by the school
  • Experience with school age children is highly recommended.

Projected Completion Date: Ongoing

ISL Staff Supervising: Suzanne Walker, Children’s Library Services Consultant

Does this agency offer internships?
Yes

Does this agency require volunteer training?
Yes, for SOME opportunities

Does this agency require a background check?
Yes, for SOME opportunities