Group of students in library ()
Volunteering can be such a fulfilling activity. Every other month, we will highlight a new organization or event for those who are looking to learn more about the services and resources available to them as well as for those who are looking to give back to the community.
This month we are featuring on-base libraries. I interviewed volunteers Gudrun Williams-Fusco and Maurizio Fusco from the Ansbach Library and Shannon Craycraft, the supervisory library technician, Cathy Ignacio, Army Community Services specialist, and library volunteers Cristina Michta and Art Valencia from the Garmisch area. They shared some insights into what it was like to volunteer.
Ansbach Library
At 10 cents a book, with multiple brothers and sisters and her grandmother in the home, Gudrun’s mom had to put money away for library trips in post-war Germany. The sacrifices were worth it because her mother and father “felt that this [having books available] was one of the most important things in a child’s development” and that is the foundation Gudrun’s love for books was built on. She stated, “it was not like ‘oh you have to read this book;’ it was like a privilege. It was a gift.”
Gudrun and her husband Maurizio have been volunteers with the Ansbach Library for three years. They do various tasks, from filing books and DVDs to decorating the library for seasons and events, disinfecting surfaces and housekeeping. According to Maurizio, they even took a small plot of land in front of the library that was “totally abandoned and really ugly” and put in a garden. Gudrun added that beautifying the entrance to the library was important because se “when you go to the library, this is something that is stimulating and rejuvenating for your soul and I felt the entrance to the library needs to bring this point across.”
Some of their favorite programs at the library are the summer reading program which incentivizes people to read with a point and reward system and the stuffed animal sleepover where children drop off their stuffed friend and pick them up the next day with a full report of how their cuddly buddy spent the night. They both hope that the library will bring back the book club program where they would read books and then gather at a local bakery or coffee shop for discussion.
When asked about the most fulfilling aspects of volunteering, Gudrun noted, “it is giving back to the people … and brighten[ing] their day.” She also expressed her love of working with the library staff, Michael, Maddie and Kari.
At the time of writing, Gudrun and Maurizio are the sole volunteers for the library and they can always use some help. Whether you go to check out a book or DVD, enjoy the garden or volunteer, there is something for everyone at the library. Those interested in volunteering can call the library at +49-981-1831740 or DSN 314-468-1740.
Garmisch Library
Art has been 3D printing as a hobby for almost three years and wanted to “check out” what type of 3D printer the library had on-site. He found it “sitting a bit dormant” because information on utilizing the printer had not been passed down to current staff and volunteers. So, he began volunteering his time to get the printer back up and running. He had almost 40 children attend his STEAM presentation about the 3D printer, and they requested an official 3D printing club that Art now hosts twice a month along with a five-week Saturday 3D printing class.
Cristina, a teacher by trade, along with Shannon, works with the preschool and elementary school children doing puppet shows, crafts and reading books (often connecting crafts to the stories being told). Cristina described witnessing the younger children’s creativity, explaining how children can differ from one another: “Maybe they glue it differently, because that is how he or she is seeing it.” she said. “It is his or her creativity and that is what is really fun. They can take it to another level.”
Both Art and Cristina agree that the interaction with children is the most fulfilling part of volunteering at the library. Art describes the moment his students finally grasp a new concept in his class as when “the mad scientist kicks in.”
Working with a constantly PCS’ing staff and volunteer base can provide some challenges, however. Art noted a continuity problem, as implied from by earlier mention of the “dormant” 3D printer. Once he started working with the library, one of the first things implemented was “writing everything down.” Cristina touched on the more emotional struggles by stating, “the hardest part about military life is the word ‘goodbye.’”
Cathy shared her perspective from an organizational standpoint that "volunteers become family in the workplace. Volunteers are change agents in the community.” she said. “When they move … they leave that void in the organization.”
Some popular programs at the library are the summer reading program, story time, with the opportunity to “just sit and relax” and the puppet shows. Art thought about it for one moment and asked, “would I be biased by saying the 3D printing program?” Of course not, Art.
People have so much to gain from volunteering at the library. Cristina stated one can “take away a lot of joy in your heart. In seeing those smiles, in seeing those eyes light up, and you helped to create the spark.” If you are interested in volunteering with the Garmisch Library, go to ACS, go to the library, or utilize the Volunteer Management Information System, VMIS.
