For information for adult volunteers, click here.
Please note: Due to the high volume of volunteer applications we receive, we cannot guarantee individual volunteers a specific number of hours.
The Scotch Plains Public Library benefits from the work of many dedicated and enthusiastic teen volunteers every year. If you are a Scotch Plains or Fanwood student in grades 6-12 and would like to get involved in volunteering with us, we would love to have your help!
Read on to learn more about what our volunteers do. If you decide you are interested, the volunteer guidelines and application are below! If you have any questions, email us at [email protected].
Dear Parents, (click to read!)
We appreciate all the hard work you’ve done to raise a teen who wants to give back to their community!
Volunteering at the library has many benefits for teens, including learning new skills, making friends, earning community service hours, and improving college and job applications. Crucially, it also builds teens’ independence, helping them learn how to keep commitments, manage their schedule, and communicate their needs, all skills that will be foundational to their success in their future endeavors.
For this reason, we ask you to allow your teen to take ownership of their volunteering. We know you intend to help your teen when you communicate with us on their behalf and encourage them to volunteer here. However, we find that teens are happiest and most successful when it is their choice to volunteer and they take charge of that experience for themselves. Please allow your teen to decide when they are ready to help out here and encourage them to communicate with us directly.
If and when your teen is ready, there are many other ways you can support their volunteer efforts, including:
– Showing them how to keep track of their time commitments
– Teaching them how to email or call to let us know if they will be late/need to cancel
– Giving them rides to and from the library as necessary
– Encouraging them to advocate for themselves and their ideas
– Showing interest in the work they are doing
You will always be an essential part of your teen’s volunteering experience. Thank you for helping them to take the lead in this way.
.
What SPPL teen volunteers do:
1. Teen Advisory Board
The Teen Advisory Board (TAB) is run by teens. It’s a great way to build leadership and teamwork skills, and it’s the perfect opportunity for you if you would like to be involved in the creation, planning, and running of the library programs or services that you want to see offered to the community. (In other words – you can create your own volunteering projects at the library!)
TAB meets once a month. Click here to learn more about the board, what’s been discussed at past meetings, and when the next meeting will be.
2. Shelf-reading
Shelf-reading is the process of checking library shelves to make sure each book is exactly where it’s supposed to be. Shelf-reading volunteers must successfully pass a one-hour training session before being assigned their weekly shifts. Click here for more information.
3. Assorted events and projects
Teens who have applied to volunteer will receive emails about other kinds of opportunities as they become available. Volunteers may sign up for specific tasks such as preparing craft supplies or helping at kids’ programs.
Volunteering guidelines:
What you can expect from us:
• We will work with you to resolve problems with scheduling or assigned tasks.
• We will assist you in any difficulties with library users.
• We will provide documentation of your community service hours upon request.
What we expect from you:
Volunteering is very similar to having a job – you must be on time, courteous, and enthusiastic. We ask that you try your best to follow our volunteer guidelines and give your best effort when completing a task.
As a teen volunteer for SPPL, you must agree to the following guidelines:
• I will keep track of my schedule and arrive on time for my shifts.
• If I cannot make my scheduled shift, I will call the library or e-mail [email protected] at least one day in advance or as soon as possible.
• I will make sure my ride home arrives before the library closes.
• I will refer library users to the staff when asked a question not directly related to my duties.
• I will not bring food or drinks into the library, with the exception of water bottles with caps.
• I will keep my phone on vibrate and will not make or receive calls or send texts that are not emergencies.
• I will not use my phone for entertainment during my shift except with the express permission of the librarian supervising me.
• I will wear appropriate attire to the library. No bare feet, bathing suits, etc.
• At the discretion of the library staff, I may be asked to stop volunteering if I fail to follow these guidelines or if I have repeated call-outs or no-shows.
Apply here:
Once you submit your application, your email address will be added to our general volunteering list and you will be notified whenever new opportunities open up. If you are interested in the Teen Advisory Board or shelf-reading, please refer to the first part of this page for information. Please note: Due to the volume of applications we receive, you may not receive an individual emailed response to your application unless you contact us with a specific question or request.