An Interview with a Bookstore Volunteer

How did you start volunteering at the bookstore?

The library’s newsletter announced they were looking for volunteers to help in its New Leaf store.  I have always loved bookstores – there is so much wisdom and fun on the shelves!  After finishing writing a book for teachers, it was a good time to take on a new venture.  My application was accepted, and I was trained by Linda Heinl, Marcia Wright and Polly Seymour.  What a privilege.

What type of volunteer work do you do?

The range of duties at the bookstore includes sorting and pricing, shelving and researching books, and working at the register.  I also do some strategic planning with Clay Thompson, Terry Creighton, Kim Hunter.

What’s a fun fact that everyone should know about you?

Music is important in my life.  I play the piano and the harp.

How has volunteering impacted your life?

I look forward to being at the bookstore and I am scheduled to serve once a week. However, I am there more often, especially when the New Leaf receives large donations or if another volunteer can’t come in.   An unexpected benefit has been finding treasures for my own library of art books.  They are generally quite expensive, and I sometimes find something that would be a great addition at an affordable price.  Also, there is the enjoyment of interacting with other volunteers and staff, who have enriched my life.

What’s your favorite book?

One book?  There are dozens I could call favorites.  I love Wallace Stegner’s writing, especially Angle of Repose.  Art books are among my favorites.  I especially found Nancy Princenthals’s book, Agnes Martin: Her Life and Art, to be full of stimulating philosophical ideas. Mr. B: Balanchine’s 20^th Century by Jennifer Homans, which was reviewed as one of the best books of the year, is another favorite.  For me, it was more personal.  My sister was a principal dancer with New York City Ballet and Balanchine choreographed for her, so learning more about him was enlightening.

Can you tell us about a particularly meaningful volunteer experience you've had?

One day a woman came in and bought about 100 children’s books.  She was donating them to a non-profit organization that helps underserved kids.  Her passion was contagious.  I went through my books at home and donated to the same organization.

How has volunteering changed your perspective on your community or the world?

Volunteering hasn’t changed my perspective as much as it has reinforced my opinion that we live in a caring community full of good people who strive, in their own to ways, to make Winter Park a good place to live.

What do you think makes our Library a place where people want to volunteer?

There are several things.  I cannot say enough about how helpful the staff is at the library; they “have your back” in sticky situations.  The way they cheerfully help everyone makes one want to live up to their standard. The environment at the new library, which is so full of light, is also enticing. The books are carefully curated so that there’s something for everyone, and the abundance of good programs is absolutely delicious.  Above all, however, I think the intrinsic reward of helping the community is valuable.