Oakton Library Shows Thanks to its Volunteers

In 2010, 796 adult volunteers put in more than 5,538 hours of work at the Oakton Library.

Needless to say, library staff is thankful. To show their appreciation, they hosted a dinner — funded by the Friends of Oakton Library — in the volunteers' honor Wednesday.

"Everything we do here is by staff and volunteers hand in hand," said Jerilyn Polson, Oakton Library's branch manager.

She explained volunteer hours keep increasing year after year at the relatively new library. After it opened in September 2007, 179 volunteers put in 635.25 hours. In 2008, 301 volunteers put in 3,094 hours. And in 2009, 255 volunteers put in 4,992 hours.

"Thank you. There's no way we could run this library without you," Polson said to the volunteers.

Sam Clay, director of Fairfax County Public Libraries, gave a speech to the dinner guests in which he acknowledged how the last few years have been difficult for libraries because of budget cuts. Because of those cuts, libraries are relying more and more on volunteers.

"We think one of the most important aspects of what we do is recognition ... just to say to the volunteers, 'Hey, you make a difference,'" said Clay in an interview before the dinner. "To me it's so reaffirming that a resident would choose to volunteer their services to the library as opposed to something else."

The volunteers remained modest about their contributions, often shrugging and murmuring it's no big deal to give just a few hours of their time.

"I love libraries. You can come in, take a book home, read it and bring it back. There's nothing better," said Pauline Reid, a professional librarian who has never worked in a public library. "The people here are just so marvelous and friendly. I live closer to the Reston Regional Library, and it's a great library. But I started coming here and I just felt very welcomed. It's a warm-feeling library with friendly people."