The Library as a Hospitable Place: Hospitality and Welcoming Volunteers

Libraries use volunteers. Research indicates various barriers to volunteering. After these barriers have been overcome, it is of great importance that the volunteer is welcomed into the organization. Therefore, hospitality is not just about receiving patrons but also receiving (new) volunteers. For this study, concepts from volunteering were synthesized with hospitality concepts. This case study took place at a library in the northern part of the Netherlands. Data was collected from interviews with management and volunteers in a focus group discussion. The findings were triangulated with official documents from the library. A matrix of hospitality practices is proposed to help libraries attract, retain, and engage volunteers by engendering hospitable behavior. Hospitality practices are divided into three categories: physical, managerial, and ideological. The analysis and findings here support library organizations in becoming inviting places for volunteers. These practices improve the “‘hospitability’” both of and toward volunteers.