FROM THE FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY PRESIDENT

                                TERRY JONES

     I Don’t Hold Babies!

   Yes, it is true – I don’t hold babies.  I love looking at them.  They’re cute, look sweet and cuddly, have adorable little fingers and toes…but, I don’t hold babies, I don’t want to reluctantly get “drawn in”.

You see, in my family, the feeling is that if the parent or grandparent thinks the baby is the greatest thing since sliced bread, then you, the aunt, must think so too!  In my family, you hold the baby, it becomes yours!  For at least the entirety of that visit.  This is especially true if you don’t see them very often or live states apart.  So, when you do see them, the assumption is that you are longing to hold them.  Hold them – Own them!  That includes the feeding, diaper changing, etc.  You MUST want to make up for lost time in getting intimately acquainted with that baby and all it’s bodily functions which eventually includes tears and crying.  Have they forgotten that I am the Aunt, not the parent?  Now, if I had volunteered for that role, it would be a different story.  Then, it would be my choice.  I would know what I was getting into – and, for how long.

It is the same with volunteering – for the Library, Friends or any organization.  (You wondered how this was going to transition, didn’t you?)  You volunteer to do what you want, what gives you some satisfaction.  You volunteer for a specific responsibility, not to “hold the baby”.  You are usually asked and originally recruited to do one responsibility.  After time, if you want to do more, then you can.  But, it should be your choice.

That is why, this year, during our Membership Drive, we are going to have some specific areas and responsibilities identified for volunteering.  If we can be more specific, then we may be able to encourage more of you to volunteer.  This way you can start out slower, find your fit, and decide if you want to “hold the baby”!  Once you get comfortable with the work, you can then decide how much more you would like to do.  One last baby analogy – as with caring for a baby, when volunteering, there is work involved.  But, you should be comfortable with what you are being asked to do as well as enjoy doing it!  We look forward to seeing you at the Membership Drive in September.