Volunteerism : the directory of organizations, training, programs and publications /

Until recently, the role played by the volunteer in the success of a majority of nonprofit organizations was often overlooked as the US became a society seemingly focused on passive rather than active participation to solve many of the problems facing not only the nation but also its neighborhoods. With this directory, identifying more than 5,000 organizations in this, its third edition, it becomes obvious that US citizens are taking a more active role in dealing with problems facing them. Although this edition has both a new title and a new publisher (2nd ed. as Community Resources Directory, CH, Nov'84), it retains the same division into three major listings. The first names administrative/organizational resource groups, focusing on national and regional organizations; the second gives profiles of subject-specific groups; then comes an extensive annotated bibliography of publications related to volunteerism. Directory listings within each of the first two categories include address, telephone, personal contact information, and a brief description of the organization. Index access is available by type of organization, organizational name, and geographic location. The strength of this work lies in its provision of information that will enable organizations to contact and exchange ideas with other groups having similar missions. Highly recommended for both academic and public libraries.-R. Paustenbaugh, Oklahoma State University

Intended for a wide audience of volunteer directors, corporate and government managers, and potential volunteers, this third edition (originally published as 411: Community Resources Tie Line , 1980, and Community Resources Directory , Gale, 1984), with a new format, remains an invaluable, exhaustive compilation of practical information about more than 5300 volunteer organizations. Alphabetically arranged by subject in three sections, it continues to provide clear, up-to-date profiles, listing the group name, address, telephone number, objectives, services, and publications. The first part, dealing with administrative and organizational resources, directs the individual to tools needed to support a successful volunteer program such as information and referral and funding. The second part, covering subject-specific resources, provides information on over 80 specialized volunteer efforts, addressing prominent issues: substance abuse, the homeless, and teenage pregnancy, to name a few. The third part consists of an extensive annotated bibliography. Recommended.-- Marilyn Rosenthal, Nassau Community Coll. Lib., Garden City, N.Y. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.