From shelving books to teaching computer classes, Richland Library relies on volunteers to maximize resources and better serve customers. On Wednesday, April 17, the library recognized the efforts of more than 100 volunteers at a special event at the Main Library, located at 1431 Assembly St.
Presentations included Adult, Teen and Junior Volunteer of the Year awards, inductions into the Richland Library Volunteer Hall of Fame and recognition of The President's Volunteer Service Award recipients.
Bill Higgins, the library's Adult Volunteer of the Year, has contributed more than 1,500 hours to the Walker Local History and Family Center. He has helped index thousands of articles about people, places and events from the South Carolina Vertical Files, making the Community Resources database at RichlandLibrary.com an invaluable tool for those researching South Carolina's history. Higgins was also honored with The Presidents Volunteer Service Award,and inducted into the Richland Library Volunteer Hall of Fame.
Chelsia Telfair, the library's Teen Volunteer of the Year, is a member of the Main Library's Teen Advisory Board (TAB) and Children's Room volunteer. An honor society student and tutor, Telfair has devoted more than 200 hours of volunteer service to help with special library efforts like the Gee's Bend Quilters.
Skyler Lanigan, the library's Junior Volunteer of the year, has volunteered more than 200 hours at Richland Library Southeast. Always eager to help with a variety of tasks and projects, Lanigan has been commended by staff for being reliable, enthusiastic and truly dedicated to the library.
Laura Mehaffey received a special merit award for her efforts in the creation of an anime program for teens.
Another 19 volunteers were recognized with various levels of The President's Volunteer Service Award--an initiative of the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation--for their work with library. Recipients of this prestigious award include:
Ernest Anderson, Anne Bagwell, John Bradley, Janice Brown, Shawn Chillag, Nancy Flowers, Carol Gamble, Susan Hackett, Tracy Haisley, Marlene Mackey, Helen Madden, Susan Mazur, Lisa Nichols, Bobbie Osborne, Gene Sansbury, Ruby Smith, Rachel Snowden, Victor Vacaflores and Cindy Wagner.
The Richland Library relies on adult and junior volunteers to maximize its resources and better serve the needs of library users. Last year, 1,128 volunteers contributed more than 22,000 hours, a value of more than $413,000. To volunteer or for more information, call 803-929-3436 or visit www.RichlandLibrary.com/volunteer.
