National Volunteer Week is an opportunity to celebrate volunteers everywhere who lend their time, talent and voices to build stronger communities.
At the Arlington Heights Memorial Library, we have many reasons to celebrate volunteerism. In 2022, 458 volunteers contributed more than 19,000 hours of service, up from the previous year as many volunteers returned to the library. Library volunteers represent many ages, with 250+ active adult volunteers and more than 200 teens and tweens who volunteered at the library in 2022. Some 100 teens and tweens gave of their time during summer break and completed more than 1,000 hours of service assisting with things like summer reading and other community outreach.
It’s impact like this that inspired the theme for this year's celebration at the library: Together Again: Celebrating Our Volunteer Community.
“Many volunteers tell us that the library has enriched their lives, and they want to give back to the place that means so much to them,” says Volunteer Coordinator Jennifer Begich. “Whether they volunteer each week or once in a while, their time and talent complement the work of staff and allows the library to connect with and expand its service to the community.”