A love of children has kept Rose Schaffer and Alice Steinkamp volunteering at the library at the Sacred Heart Catholic School in Adams. Since 1987, Schaffer has been the volunteer librarian at this small school of 125 students.

"Sister Noelle was the assistant librarian and a teacher at Sacred Heart for years. She became somewhat forgetful and couldn't handle the job as well and that is when I took as librarian. I really love it," Schaffer said.

She and Steinkamp wash and keep the books in repair. The school recently was donated 900 children's books from a donor from Rochester and the two are now in the process of filing these books. Before they file the books, they wipe each one with a soft cloth and rubbing alcohol. They still use the Dewey Decimal System to file and keep track of the books.

They each have a love of the small parish school as their children attended school here and some of their grandchildren, as well. Steinkamp has two grandchildren attending Sacred Heart right now.

"I love seeing all the kids. The younger ones tell you what they did over the weekend. It is fun to talk with them. This job keeps a person young," said Steinkamp.

Schaffer said, "We train the first graders how to check out books and take care of them. They learn to bring the books back so they aren't overdue. There are good readers here at Sacred Heart. We have an Accelerated Reading Program that is run by Susie Sathre."

Schaffer's job as librarian takes up only three hours of her time each week.

She and Steinkamp also volunteer at the church. Schaffer keeps the books for several volunteer organizations like the ambulance committee, and is treasurer of her church unit. Steinkamp is involved in the Farm Bureau in Austin and helped out at the Mower County Fair this summer.

Steinkamp said, "It's good to volunteer to get out of the house. We both enjoy what we do."