Does your library have teens as volunteers?
Are you struggling to find tasks for them?
Are you thinking about teens, and making some work plans?
You are not alone!
These are ideas you might consider for giving your teen volunteers (or other volunteers!) some tasks in your library. These are all currently being used by libraries around the country, so should be helpful in your library.
Do you have other suggestions? Share them in the comments! We could all use ideas for making a volunteer experience valuable for the teens and for the library!
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Decorating (seasonal and otherwise)
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Assisting with all special events (either as roadies or ushers)
- Pulling weeds
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Picking up trash in the parking lot and grounds
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Help at programs
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Prepare program supplies
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Shelf-read
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Pull books weeding lists
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Look for books on lost/missing lists
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Help give prizes (during summer reading)
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Shelving (especially DVDs and picture books)
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Cut out story-time craft supplies
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Organize messy areas
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Help set up programs
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Sit in the children’s room with some STEAM activities, like snap circuits, or Lego build sets and try to engage the little kids
This is a slideshow with some ideas about organizing a successful teen volunteer library program.
And these are a few libraries who have set up teen volunteer programs. You might consider modeling a policy in your library after one, or more, or them; or browse around other libraries for polices that make sense in your library! As always, CMLE Headquarters is available to you write up a policy or procedure for your specific library.