Public libraries provide essential services to the community; the use of volunteers enables libraries to
maintain and even enhance these services. It is imperative, however, that all key functions of the
public library be staffed by people with the appropriate level of professional or paraprofessional
education and training. There is a place for volunteers in areas of library operations, but no volunteer
should ever be put in charge of a library function that involves fiscal, confidentiality, or liability issues.