Volunteers in Australian archives

Abstract

Why do volunteers choose to contribute thousands of unpaid hours per week to Australian archives? This paper presents the results of a nationwide web survey that provides insight into the demographics, motivations and experiences of volunteers in Australian archives. The findings provide a representative overview of formal volunteers in Australian archives, determining 'who' they are, the value of the contributions they provide and the level of training and support offered to them. This study is a continuation of existing discussions about volunteers in Australian archives and represents an opportunity for the development of stronger relationships with Australian archival volunteers and, through them, the communities our archives serve.

Volunteering research in Australia: A narrative review

“…Across classification methods, the most frequently mentioned reasons for volunteering were (a) interest in the activities of the organisation (e.g., dressing up as a historical figure), (b) social interaction and family involvement, pro‐social motives (e.g., helping others), (c) self‐development (e.g., learning and career building), and (d) enjoyment and recreation. De Villiers, Laurent, and Stueven () found that volunteers at archival organisations across Australia were mainly motivated by the content of their work and subsequently by the social connections that they experienced through their volunteering. Phillips, Andrews, and Hickman () found that hospice volunteers in NSW mainly volunteered to make a difference, including believing in the values of the cause, and for personal development, such as personal growth and skills development.…”

“…First, agreeableness is the tendency to be tolerant, good‐natured, and cooperative (Lee & Ashton, ), which is related to “giving back to the community,” the number one reason for volunteering identified in several studies (e.g., Dolnicar & Randle, ; Hyde & Knowles, ; Zappalà & Burrell, ). Second, extraversion is the tendency to be gregarious and seek out social situations (Lee & Ashton, ), which could very well be associated with another frequently reported reason to volunteer—“to connect with others” (e.g., Anderson & Shaw, ; De Villiers et al, ).…”