Teen Volunteer Corps

Are you a teen in grade 7-12 who is interested in giving back to the community, gaining job skills, join a community of like-minded teens, spend more time in the library, or try something new? Consider joining TVC, our Teen Volunteer Corps.

Why Should I Join Teen Volunteer Corps?

Be part of a community of awesome teens
Make a difference in your community
Try new things and develop leadership skills
Earn community service hours for high school
Gain experience for a job
Successful volunteers may ask for scholarship or reference letters

What Can I Do In Teen Volunteer Corps?

As a member of Teens Volunteer Corps, you can choose to support the library in three different areas.

General Library Volunteer
- As a General Library Volunteer, you get to help us with the everyday running of the library. You will gain hands-on experience at entry-level, paraprofessional work in libraries by... shelf-reading and straightening shelves, sorting and shelving books, movies, and other materials, as well as other relevant work. This is a good fit for you if you love books or if you love working behind the scenes.
Youth Services Volunteer
- As a Youth Services or YS Volunteer, you'll get to help us with a range of projects preparing for and helping to run children's, tween, and teen events. On any given day, you might be designing a display, prepping for a children's craft, setting up for a teen event, or helping run a children's program. This is a good fit for you if you like people or if you like arts and crafts--or both! We will work with you to assign tasks that fit your interest and comfort levels. YS Volunteers may also help shelve or process children's and teen materials as needed.
WaveMaker
- Volunteer to help us run our makerspace, "The Wave." As a WaveMaker, you will help us run our community makerspace by checking in users, assisting users with makerspace equipment, teaching users about the equipment, and troubleshooting equipment as needed. You will also be responsible for knowing all makerspace policies and either enforcing them or seeking support of a supervisor, as needed. All WaveMakers get the opportunity to develop tech skills including, but not limited to, working with 3D printers and 3D modeling, designing and making projects on the Cricut, coding, podcasting, GoPros, Adobe Creative Cloud, and more.

What is the Teen Volunteer Corps Code of Conduct?

As a teen volunteer, you are expected to...

Make a regular commitment to volunteer at least 10 hours during one complete session -- Spring, Summer, or Fall. Typically, you should plan to work at least one hour per week during a session. Scheduling is flexible and planned absenses may be scheduled in advance.
Be responsible and proactive. If you cannot make it to a volunteer session or need to reschedule, we expect you to contact us directly and in a timely manner. If you are sick, please let us know as soon as you can before your shift starts so we can plan accordingly. For every volunteer shift, check in with your supervisor at the start and end of your time.
Be willing to grow and try new things. We have a constantly growing and changing environment at the library, which means that although we often have regular and structured activities, there are often small projects or initiatives that come up, such as special projects to shift the collection, or prepping for special events.
Be polite and respectful to everyone. Library staff, patrons, and fellow volunteers all deserve a welcoming and safe environment. Volunteers are part of the team at the library and are expected to demonstrate positive and affirming behavior.
Ask for help. If you don't know how to do something or how to respond to a situation, ask! Also remember that you matter. If there is something you need, speak up and let us know.

When you submit a signed volunteer application form, you agree to follow this code of conduct.

How Do I Join Teen Volunteers Corps?

Fill out a TVC application. If you are 18 years or older, you may fill out an adult volunteer application to be one of our regular adult volunteers.
Teens may fill out an electronic application (coming soon!) or may print out our paper form and bring it into the library. If you bring it into the library, please drop it off at the Check Out desk for Erica, the Young Adult Librarian.
Once your form is submitted, you will be contacted via email to meet with Erica and discuss your interests and schedule. Please note that we will contact you at your own email address (not your parents'!).
While we are happy to answer parent questions in person, over the phone, or via email, we will only accept applications that are filled out by the applicant (however, parents may drop off applications).

If you have any more questions, please email Erica at eruscio@ocln.org.