VOLUNTEERFOCUS
RAY GOLLI
In 1997, Ray Golli began volunteering
at Mt. Lebanon Library. Now, 20 years
later, he says: “I am not ready to stop.”
Over the years, Ray has taught hundreds
of adults how to use their computers
and software (such as spreadsheets,
word processing, email, etc). In addition,
he also does monthly data entry
(including putting volunteer hours into
a database).
Ray was an early adopter of computers:
by the mid-1970s, he began using
computers at his company, CNG,
when he realized what an economic
opportunity they would afford. So, after
retiring he began volunteering at the
library as a computer instructor four
hours a week. His classes were filled to
near capacity for 12 years. Although
he stopped teaching by the end of
2015, Ray continues summing up the
volunteer hours and entering them into
a database.
Q: How did you get started
volunteering at the library?
A: In 1997, several years after
retirement, I was in the Mt. Lebanon
Library and saw one of the library
staff trying to train a student on
using the computer. However, the
staff instructor was sitting at the
keyboard, pointing out his keyboard
and mouse
movements
and the effects
they had on the
screen. Since I
had a significant
background on
teaching computer
activity, I felt the
student should be
in control from the
beginning, with the instructor
alongside providing instructions.
So I approached Cindy Richey, the
library director, and told her that I
would volunteer to train students
about computers and their use. She
moved forward on that immediately.
Q: What is your favorite part of
volunteering at the library?
A: Helping the library by educating
adult students to have a more
informative life through computers
Q: Have you always been interested
in libraries?
A: Not until I moved into Mt. Lebanon
from Cleveland. The library was
obviously a vital asset to the
community, and I wanted to support
it.
Q: What are you currently reading?
A: “Corrupted” by Lisa Scottolini
Q: Who is your favorite author?
A: Richard North Patterson…..great
legal books. Steve Martini….same
reason. I have been hooked on legal
courtroom thrillers for years.
Q: If you could be any fictional
character, who would you choose?
A: Humphrey Bogart as Rick Blaine in
“Casablanca”
Q: Favorite movie?
A: “Casablanca”…..very compelling and
romantic
Q: What is your favorite hobby or
pastime outside of the library/
reading?
A: I made furniture from kits and
refinished furniture for over 40 years.
I also did stained glass work for 15
years.
Q: What would you title your
autobiography?
A: “A Fortunate Life”
about the Newcomers Club, which welcomes both
newcomers and neighbors for friendship, special events and
monthly events.
THE LIFE AND TIMES OF
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
10:30 a.m., Fridays, Mar. 2, 9, 16,
23, April 6 and 13
Presenter Cleon Cornes will
discuss the life of author,
humorist, printer, publisher,
inventor, philanthropist,
diplomat, and statesman
Benjamin Franklin. The
quintessential self-made man,
Franklin used his prominence to
aid in the establishment of history’s most ambitious political
experiment: the United States of America. Discover the life
and impact of this extraordinary man.
CDC CAREER COUNSELING
9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Thursdays
Struggling to find a job? Underemployed? WorkAble can help
Continued
Mt. Lebanon | Winter 2017 | icmags.com 55