In the spring of 2022, I joined a volunteer program that the library is doing.
It’s called, Library Champion!
Huh? What? Are you going to compete in something using the library as a stage? The name sounds like “Library Champion,” doesn’t it?
At first, I had no idea what I was going to do, but after about 3 months, I finally understand what it was all about.
I’ve compiled a report of my experience, so if you’d like to take a look, please go ahead and read it all the way through!
How did I get involved in the Library Champion Program?
I joined the Library Champion Program after a friend of mine informed me that there was a volunteer program called “Library Champion”.
It seems that the library sponsors this program, but it is not a job where you help borrowing and lending books or doing something for the patrons.
I looked at the official website, but it seems that you don’t have to go to the library in the first place, and I have no idea what they do.
So, what is a Library Champion?
I thought, I didn’t know what it was, so I applied from the official website and attended an information session first.
Here is the link to the official website of: NewtoBC Library Champions Project
After the explanation, I still didn’t understand exactly what was going on, but I thought I would rather do it than worry about it, so I decided to join.
What does the Library Champion Program (LCP) volunteer to do?
What is the Library Champion Program and what do volunteers do?
To put it very briefly,
This is a 3-month limited volunteer opportunity for new immigrants to spread the word to other newcomers about the services that the library provides to its patrons.
You will first receive training using ZOOM and learn about the service while interacting with other participants.
You will then work to spread the word about the library’s services and the work being done by its affiliates by reaching out to anyone, not just Newcomers, in a variety of ways, both in person and online.
Upon completion of the three-month program, participants will receive a certificate of completion, which can be included in their resume.
I’ve compiled a list of library services here, if you’d like to read it along with me!
5 Useful Library Services and Resources You Need to Know in BC
LCP Report 1: Training Phase
The first six weeks of the approximately three-month volunteer period is the training phase.
It takes place once a week for about 2 hours, and all meetings are conducted online using ZOOM, so you can participate from the comfort of your home. (as of Spring 2022)
The needs are explored through discussions with other participants about the problems that newcomers are likely to encounter and the support they may need as a result, and at the same time, communication skills are developed as members interact with each other.
Participants will then learn more about the actual initiatives that libraries are undertaking and deepen their knowledge.
Toward the end of the training phase, there were times when the participants gave free-form presentations in the form of newcomers in various situations.
The training was generally held in the morning, but I was a night owl at the time, and I remember my mind was racing after waking up from sleep as I participated.
The participants were mostly in their 20’s to 50’s, some were mothers raising children, some were recent immigrants looking for work, and others from a variety of backgrounds.
The longest participant was myself and another person who had been in Canada for 10 years, and the shortest participant was someone who decided to join the program within a week of immigration.
When I was attending LINC, I thought that the program for new immigrants is relatively open to those who want to participate in it.
LCP Report 2: Outreach Phase
At the end of the 6-week training phase, you will enter the Outreach phase, where you will put into practice what you have learned so far.
You are free to use any method of communication, including face-to-face, presentations, social networking, and so on.
The people you talk to can be your family, friends, classmates, colleagues, and basically anyone, not only Newcomers but Canadians as well.
However, we have been advised not to contact random strangers for publicity purposes, as it is dangerous.
If we reach out through social networking sites, we keep a record of the number of views, likes, and other actions we have received, and record them on a sheet for reporting.
At the end of the three-month period, we would send the record of our actions to the organizers, and the volunteer work would be over and a certificate of completion would be issued.
My impressions of the Library Champion Program in practice
I feel that from the beginning, there was more of an output from the training, as the moderator would bring up a theme and we would discuss it, rather than just listen to a talk.
There were many opportunities to think about how I felt about the topic and to output on the spot, which made me think about many more things than I had expected.
I felt that the training in Canada was very different from that in my home country, Japan.
Outreach was explained using a manual during the training, but it was left up to each individual to decide how to conduct it.
The average number of people reached per participant in the past is said to be 50, but I thought that the lack of quotas and the freedom of the program would make a significant individual difference between those who do and those who do not.
Even if I didn’t reach as many people as I would have liked during the three months, I feel that it was quite meaningful just to learn more about public services that I had never known about before through the training.
In my case, I had just moved to the area and hardly knew anyone around me, so I was glad to have the opportunity to interact with other new immigrants and feel that I could be a part of the community.
If you’ve never participated in Library Champion and you’re interested, you absolutely should! You may gain, but you won’t lose!
That is my impression from actually participating in the program.
Conclusion
The Library Champion Program is a 3-month volunteer opportunity to promote the library’s services in a variety of ways, including in-person, presentations, and social networking.
The first half of the program consists of 6 sessions where you will interact with other participants, learn about their needs and communication skills, and deepen your knowledge of public services.
The remaining month and a half is a practical period during which each participant will promote the recommended services to others in a way of their own choosing.
Although the volunteer work itself will end after 3 months, the knowledge and experience gained through this experience will last for a long time, so if you are interested, I highly recommend you give it a try!
Related Link:
5 Useful Library Services and Resources You Need to Know in BC
Thank you for reading to the end!
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