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Literacy Services of Indian River County Literacy is considered in the Florida Long Range Plan as a natural extension of library services to the public, stating that our mission is to provide library services to all segments of the population. On the national and state levels, literacy has become an integral part of public library services. LSCA (Library Services and Construction Act) funds were allocated to public libraries in Florida who requested and qualified for the funds to combine efforts with local literacy services to combat illiteracy in their communities. One of the requirements for receiving and expending these funds for the grant time period was to pick up the core of the service locally at the end of the funding (four years in Indian River County). To continue cooperative efforts to combat illiteracy in Indian River County, the Indian River County Library System may contract with the Literacy Services of Indian River County for allotted space in the libraries for an office. The Library may also provide available space for tutors to teach their students to read (prior arrangements will be made in accordance with meeting or study room policies). The libraries may also purchase and make available to the public, materials which further this cause. As a logical extension of public library services and to adhere to the State plan, the Indian River County Library System will strive to meet the needs of all segments of the county's population. As with the Friends, Literacy Services of Indian River County will establish its own policies and procedures and will follow the contractual agreements/restrictions the county establishes for its facilities. Volunteers The information demands of modern society have made it impractical to operate a public library solely through the use of donated labor; however, the use of volunteers can be a means of supplementing the library's services. Effective volunteer programs generally require that the individuals offering their talents to the library should, as far as possible, be treated as if they were paid staff. Volunteers working in library programs should be recruited for specific positions with properly developed job descriptions and should regularly be evaluated on the effectiveness of their service. The Indian River County Library System encourages interested persons to volunteer at the libraries. Appropriate forms should be filled out for the library files and for the volunteer to choose the best days/times to volunteer and to select tasks preferred. Every effort will be made to accommodate the preferences. 53