The views stated here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the editors of this newspaper. We welcome supporting or opposing views on any published item. Received October 16, 2025.
One of the distinguishing features of the Killingworth Library over our sixty-year history has been the high level of volunteer engagement we’ve enjoyed. Over the years, our circulation/reference desk has been staffed mostly by volunteers. This is a unique feature in a field where these services are almost exclusively provided by professional staff. Given that fact, and the fact that Killingworth is a community that embraces volunteerism, we understand that it seems counterintuitive to change our staffing model. It certainly was not a decision that we made lightly. Ultimately, though, we felt that it was in the best interest of our patrons and the library organization to adopt a model more consistent with the vast majority of other libraries.
We want to stress that while we will no longer be staffing our desk with volunteers, our current volunteers were invited to stay with us as part of a new Friends of the Library group; that would involve helping the library with fundraising, letter-writing, program planning and more. Other volunteers are also staying to help us with specific projects. There are many roles for volunteers to play in the library, and we hope that anybody reading this reaches out to us if they’re interested in helping the library.
Volunteers have been with us for a long time, and their talents and enthusiasm for the work have not changed. However, libraries themselves have changed since we were operating out of the second floor of the Town Hall. The work required has become more complex. Circulation work requires a strong set of technical skills, and it is difficult to stay up-to-date on all the requirements of the job with only a few hours of practice per week. Our volunteers have done an admirable job keeping up with the work, but it is our opinion that our patrons will be better served by giving our part-time circulation staff more hours at the desk. Ultimately, our goal is to have our desk staff provide reference, technical and reader’s advisory services, which are not areas that volunteers should be covering.
This was also a forward-looking decision. We have seen long-time volunteers begin to retire, and we have no guarantee that our current volunteer-centric model will remain viable in the coming years. We would rather focus on building a strong professional staff now, than be caught off-guard and unable to adjust to an already shrinking volunteer workforce.
I welcome anybody with further questions about this decision to reach out to me by phone or meet with me at the library. Community members are also welcome to come and offer comments at the monthly meetings of our Board of Directors.
Ben Sodergren, Killingworth Library Director
What is completely and intentionally overlooked in this letter is the nonprofessional way volunteers were told their services were no longer required. I was a library volunteer for 17 years, a retired Secondary English and psychology instructor with 30 years experience. And as anyone will tell you, being able to work with people takes a certain amount of HR skill. It is essential for a healthy working relationship with staff. It develops trust. Human Resources takes experience, experience, experience. There is no HR experience at the library. There is a right way and a wrong way in dealing with dismissals and this was most certainly the wrong way.
There were no meetings, phone calls, texts, absolutely nothing to prepare us that we were no longer needed. The letter mentions we “didn’t have a strong set of technical skills.” Where were the skill-building classes? It goes on that “volunteers begin to retire.” Did we forget Covid eliminated half of us which is “an already shrinking volunteer workforce.” How about recruiting new volunteers?
Instead, I was already out the door to my car when the director, literally ran out to tell me we were done. I was so dumbfounded I just stood there listening to him prattle on about Friends of the Library, book sales and bake sales. What??
When I gathered my wits I texted the director and told him to get a letter out to the volunteers immediately, or speak with each one individually. He got the letter out, but the damage was done. Word of mouth spread, feelings were hurt, many were angry, insulted, and yet all of us were asked to stay on until October 26.
So, who needs more experience in dealing with staff and the repercussions it will have on the community? The library volunteers were human resource experts and could give skill-building classes to the paid staff.