When she arrives for her volunteer shifts at Saddlebrook Branch on Wednesday evenings, staff are always excited to see Mackenzie Reidy. The seventh grader, who attends Beveridge Magnet Middle School, began volunteering at the branch in April and has become an energetic addition to the team.
“Mackenzie has become a highly dependable volunteer in the few months she has been here,” said Alan Greunke, youth services specialist at Saddlebrook Branch. “She is always willing and enthusiastic to try any new project.”
Each week, Reidy volunteers helping to shelve books and completing other tasks that need to be done. Outside of shelving picture and juvenile fiction books, Reidy helps clean and organize around the branch, and sometimes helps decorate. She also enjoys getting to know the staff members she works alongside and meeting the patrons who visit while she’s volunteering.
“Every day I volunteer is a different experience,” said Reidy. “It’s really cool how you can learn so much about and from other people here.”
To anyone considering volunteering at any of OPL’s 12 locations, Reidy encourages them to reach out to staff and ask if they need help with anything. Volunteering works well for her because scheduling is flexible and she’s able to come in when she’s not in school or at other extracurricular activities like Quizbowl or rehearsals for the school play.
If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering at OPL, visit your neighborhood branch or omahalibrary.org/volunteer for more information.
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