Teen Volunteering Is a Program

Over the last year, our library had more than 130 teens volunteer over 1,000 hours! Our teen volunteer program is also 10 years strong and, like most of our other programming, now operates at its simplest form ever. 

Why? When I first started at my current library, I was the only youth librarian. Our family programs were very popular and I couldn't do it by myself. I also had teens asking for volunteer options, usually for a class or club requirement, but also just a few motivated teens that loved spending time at the library. I also noticed that during the school year teens didn't attend programs for themselves, but when I asked for help they'd all show up. 

I also saw teens develop skills over time: learning how to communicate with adults and each other, taking initiative in creating projects, and problem solving tasks. I also can't discount the effect it has on non-teens. Kids get to see a bigger kid helping, parents see a teen caring, and library staff see a teen not as problematic but as positive.

What? I learned quickly that not all volunteer jobs are the same - and not all teens are interested in the same kind of tasks and that's okay! Now I offer 3 main groups of volunteering: craft prep, program help, and at home tasks.

Craft Prep - 1.5 hours, 2-6 teens working on various projects: take home kit prep, storytime craft prep, taking down bulletin boards, cleaning shelves, and other in-house projects

Program Help - 1.5-2 hours, 1-3 teens helping with already developed programs: setting up the room, leading a station, cleaning up after the program

At Home Tasks - hours vary. Teens sign up to pick up a project box. All supplies needed are in the box; they track their hours and return the box within a week. This started during the library's closure and we continued for teens who need more flexibility and/or projects that can be more time consuming.

How? I used to send out shifts via email and then track on a calendar. Now I use an online scheduling tool. I post upcoming shifts, along with details about what help is needed and the number of spots available. Shifts open up 1 month before the date on a rolling basis. The scheduler also has a waitlist option, which is great since teen plans change often! And my favorite, it sends out a reminder email the day before - which gives them one last chance to cancel so that if they think they won't make it, the next person in line has time to make plans to attend.

I also have a teen volunteer newsletter, which is how all teens sign up to volunteer. It sends them a welcome message when they first sign up with instructions about how to sign up for shifts, filling out their application/waiver, and what kinds of volunteering is available. I send out a monthly newsletter letting them know when I've add the next batch of shifts, along with any other info I think is useful. 

Using this online communication has been a game changer! It allows the teens to manage their own accounts and let's me know what is covered or not at a glance. 

Now What?  This might be my favorite part of my job. Several of my longtime teen volunteers have now graduated, but still come to visit and share what they're doing. I think of how much more our library has been able to offer because we have teens who help. They lead our LEGO programs, prep hundreds of take home kits each month, design bulletin boards, and help in so many more ways. 

My biggest takeaway is that like many things teens need space too, space to practice skills, gain leadership, be creative and nurturing. Our libraries need help. We can't do everything ourselves. Why not look at ways you could help each other? Establishing this connection can only make your community stronger.