Every Monday, Milton R. Abrahams Branch, hosts two storytimes—a Toddler Storytime at 9:30 a.m. and a Family Storytime at 10:30 a.m. Each event features different stories, songs, activities and sometimes crafts, making it a busy couple hours for Children’s Librarian Melanie Webb. Fortunately, she's received some extra help in the last year since Angel Johnson began volunteering.
“There are so many components to getting a storytime together that take a lot of time, so if I can get help with some of the duties, it’s beneficial and extends our resources,” Webb says.
Johnson lives near Abrahams Branch and decided to volunteer on her one day off each week to help others enjoy their library experience.
“I just like helping people,“ Johnson said.
She arrives at the library at 9 a.m. to help ensure storytimes go smoothly. While Johnson's efforts benefit each storytime attendee, Webb says that having an extra set of hands has been a godsend to her as well, especially when there are large crowds.
In the year that she has volunteered at the branch, Johnson has helped dress costume characters for special storytimes, prepared and helped with crafts for over 40 families, and helped Webb make sure all the pieces are in place for storytimes. Johnson encourages anyone interested in volunteering at Omaha Public Library to try it, because "it helps everyone out, it’s only a couple hours [or however many you can spare] each week and you may actually enjoy doing it.”
If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering at OPL, visit your neighborhood branch or omahalibrary.org/volunteer for an application and more information.
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