Utilizing teen volunteers in the library can be a rewarding experience for both staff and teens. However it can also be a big challenge: working with teens’ schedules is chaotic, training can be time-consuming, and sometimes supervising the volunteers takes more effort than doing the tasks yourself. After much trial and error, the Delta Township District Library has found successful ways to make teen volunteering a great experience for all. This session will give you tips on how to efficiently manage a teen volunteer force, including recruitment, scheduling, training, supervising, assigning tasks, and volunteer appreciation. [This presentation was created by Becky LeBoeuf for the Michigan Library Association Annual Conference, October 2013.
HMCS Max Bernays Pre-Deployment Brief (May 2024).pptx
Teen Volunteers: Making a Library Volunteer Program Work for You
1. Teen Volunteers
Making a Library Volunteer Program Work for You
Becky LeBoeuf
Delta Township District Library (Lansing, MI)
Michigan Library Association Annual Conference
October 2013
2. Teen Volunteers
• Rewards & challenges
• How to get started
• Recruitment
• Scheduling
• Training
• Assigning tasks
• Supervising/managing
• Volunteer appreciation
3. Are you helping us or are we helping you?
REWARDS & CHALLENGES
4. We
Teen Volunteers!
• Free help!
• Get to know the teens
• Library advocates
• Curb bad behavior
• A service to the teens
5. Grr . . . Teen Volunteers!
• Free help?
• Time consuming
• Chaotic schedules
• Keeping them busy
• They are teenagers!
7. Getting Started
• Learn from your mistakes
• Learn from others (sample teen survey)
• Support from administration, staff
• Questions
• Who?
• What?
• Where?
• When?
• Why?
9. Recruiting Volunteers
• Media channels: newspaper, library
website, social media
• Around the library
• Talk it up to teens you know
• Schools
• Club advisors
• Honor societies
• School visits
• Community organizations
• Don’t forget homeschoolers
10. How many volunteers do we need?
• How often do you want them?
• Staff availability
• How much work is there to do?
• How many are useful at programs?
• How often do they want to work?
11. Applications
• Informational sheet
• Contact info
• Parent’s name, phone number & signature
• Allergies, other emergency info
• Deadline & follow-up procedures
• Questionnaire
• Why do they want to volunteer?
• Availability & interest
• Sample application
13. Scheduling Methods
Based on
programs, specific
times convenient to
staff/library
• Can list dates/times
on application and
ask for
availability, staff
creates the schedule
• Can post shifts and
ask teens to sign up
Based on teen
availability
• Teens may come in
regularly on the
same day/time
• Staff can still create
schedule or it can be
up to teens
19. Scheduling Considerations
• How often? Weekly/monthly/quarterly/yearly
• Getting in touch with teens
• Shift reminders
• Filling extra/open shifts
• Switching shifts with other teens
• Is staff available, needed to supervise?
• How many teens can you handle at once?
• Will you limit shifts, hours?
• Length of shifts
• Are all volunteers equal?
• Keeping track of volunteer hours
21. How to get the teens to do what you want
TRAINING
22. Training
• Orientation vs. individual training
• Make it fun or make it quick
• Hand out important info
• Schedule
• Volunteer handbook/guidelines (sample handbook)
• Library info
• Introduce staff
• Take pictures
• Job duties, library tour
• Talk up library programs
• Go over expectations & procedures
23. Volunteering Guidelines
• Show up when scheduled and on time
• Let us know if you aren’t able to come
• Be courteous and polite to staff and patrons
• Ask questions
• No cell phones, other distractions
• Good general behavior
• Respect patron privacy
• Dress code
• What are the consequences?
24. Four volunteers are here, all looking for something to do. Help!
ASSIGNING TASKS
25. Volunteer Tasks
Programs
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Running games & activities
Taking pictures
Reading stories
Puppet shows
Setting up and cleaning up
Helping with crafts
Playing/talking to kids
Keeping count, tracking sign-in
Tech experts
Can run after-school programs (easy crafts, gaming)
26. Free Help!
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Preparing activities and crafts
Cleaning/tidying up around the library, dusting, cleaning computers
Cleaning toys, board books, picture books
Shelving books, shelf reading
Displays, bulletin boards, decorations
Assisting patrons
Put on performances – puppet shows, skits, readers theatre
Wear character costumes
Tutors
Contribute to a teen blog, facebook page, write reviews, YouTube videos etc.
Gamers group/Gaming council
Teens can come up with and plan their own programs for the library
Scanning books to mark as used
Removing new stickers
Book Buddies, video game buddies (kids or seniors), tech buddies
Key in monthly statistics or compile/add up statistics
Inventory, check for damaged items
Outdoor work
27. Keeping Them Busy
• Keep a list/file of volunteer jobs
• Checklist of ongoing jobs & when they’re
completed
• Notes/instructions for regular jobs
• Keep necessary materials handy
• Teens can have a go-to job they always do if
you’re busy
• Sample list of jobs
31. Free help?
When teens are less than helpful . . .
• Strategic scheduling
• Give clear instructions, examples
• Check their work
• Talk with them about problems
• Find out strengths/weaknesses
• Follow through with consequences
• Talk to parents if necessary
• Give second changes
32. Library’s Most Wanted
• The No Show
• Chronic Canceller
• Signed up by parents
• Social Butterfly
• Super quiet
• Attitude
• Lazy
• Rude to staff or patrons
