Volunteer Involvement in College Libraries - Best Practices: With special reference to Holy Cross College (Autonomous), Tiruchirappalli

Abstract

"The meaning of volunteerism is 'a person who voluntarily undertakes or expresses a willingness to undertake a service or a person who does work without getting paid to do it or to offer to do something without being forced to or without getting paid to it'. In 2000, ten million people volunteered to support the immunization of 550 million children as part of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative.2 The total value of the support provided by volunteers was estimated at $10 billion, well beyond the reach of either governments or international organizations.3 Volunteerism has many roots to say as Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Vincent de Paul society, shepherd’s programs and the rest. Volunteers come for various reasons to improve the conditions of poor and vulnerable people and situations. In times of disasters volunteers emerge in big numbers. It is manifested in diverse situations and categories. They are motivated not by financial gains, not by force, not by self help. They are motivated either by philanthropy or service to others, or through participation to do good to others."