Presented by Gary Morrison and Elsie Tep at the 2010 CLA/CSLA Annual Conference.

1. Engaging Techy Teen VolunteersEngaging Techy Teen Volunteers
Gary MorrisonGary Morrison
Elsie TepElsie Tep
CLA/CSLACLA/CSLA

2. WelcomeWelcome
• IntroductionsIntroductions
• Overview of WorkshopOverview of Workshop
• IcebreakerIcebreaker

3. What did you like about your volunteer experience?What did you like about your volunteer experience?
• It was nice to help seniors with computers, cameras and phones.It was nice to help seniors with computers, cameras and phones.
I especially liked when some seniors got excited when I wasI especially liked when some seniors got excited when I was
explaining how something works, and they were thankful for theexplaining how something works, and they were thankful for the
help.help.
• I was able to interact with many people. Communicating in aI was able to interact with many people. Communicating in a
clear and effective way was critical to helping people, as theyclear and effective way was critical to helping people, as they
might not be familiar with computers and the internet.might not be familiar with computers and the internet.

4. Today’s LibrariesToday’s Libraries
• InternetInternet
• MS OfficeMS Office
• DatabasesDatabases
• E-booksE-books

5. Today’s Teen VolunteersToday’s Teen Volunteers
• Different reasons for volunteeringDifferent reasons for volunteering
• Traditional volunteer rolesTraditional volunteer roles
• Beyond shelving and mendsBeyond shelving and mends
• Making use of “digital natives”Making use of “digital natives”

6. Connecting Libraries & TeensConnecting Libraries & Teens
• Questions to askQuestions to ask
• Planning a programPlanning a program
• Implementing the programImplementing the program

7. TrainingTraining
• Application processApplication process
• CommitmentCommitment
• Customer serviceCustomer service
• PoliciesPolicies
• RoleplayingRoleplaying
• Referrals/Evaluation/FeedbackReferrals/Evaluation/Feedback
• StatisticsStatistics

8. What was the most difficult thing about it?What was the most difficult thing about it?
• The most difficult thing was to find out what they want helpThe most difficult thing was to find out what they want help
with, and having the patience to teach it to them.with, and having the patience to teach it to them.
• Initially I had minor difficulties regarding my vocal volume, asInitially I had minor difficulties regarding my vocal volume, as
some people were hard of hearing. I was able to resolve this bysome people were hard of hearing. I was able to resolve this by
the end successfully.the end successfully.
• There were a few things not shown in the training. Some peopleThere were a few things not shown in the training. Some people
I was unable to help, and it was a letdown but the situation madeI was unable to help, and it was a letdown but the situation made
me learn and improve the next time someone had the sameme learn and improve the next time someone had the same
question.question.

9. How could we improve the next session?How could we improve the next session?
• Emphasize that people appreciate hands-on, step-by-stepEmphasize that people appreciate hands-on, step-by-step
instruction.instruction.
• Go over everything in training more slowly, and give theGo over everything in training more slowly, and give the
volunteers things to do when they aren’t helping people.volunteers things to do when they aren’t helping people.

10. Benefits to LibraryBenefits to Library
• AdmininstratorsAdmininstrators
• ColleaguesColleagues
• Teens’ parentsTeens’ parents
• SchoolsSchools

11. Benefits to TeensBenefits to Teens
• Community service hoursCommunity service hours
• Public service experiencePublic service experience
• Workplace readinessWorkplace readiness
• Job applicationsJob applications
• Teaching experienceTeaching experience
• College applicationsCollege applications

12. What did you learn about your interests and abilitiesWhat did you learn about your interests and abilities
from this experience?from this experience?
• I managed to talk to many different people. As someone whoI managed to talk to many different people. As someone who
does not regularly talk a lot, it brought me out of my comfortdoes not regularly talk a lot, it brought me out of my comfort
zone, and my articulation has greatly improved.zone, and my articulation has greatly improved.
• I can be impatient at times, but this helped it a lot.I can be impatient at times, but this helped it a lot.
• I learned that I have a lot of patience and that I don’t knowI learned that I have a lot of patience and that I don’t know
everythingeverything..

13. Other ConsiderationsOther Considerations
• What to call the programWhat to call the program
• Program logisticsProgram logistics
• PublicityPublicity
• Union issuesUnion issues

14. Would you recommend this volunteer program to a friend?Would you recommend this volunteer program to a friend?
• Yes I would. It’s great helping older adults with technology. IYes I would. It’s great helping older adults with technology. I
really helps both them and yourself.really helps both them and yourself.
• I would recommend it. It builds communication skills, and forI would recommend it. It builds communication skills, and for
those days the computers seem to be evil, it allows great on thethose days the computers seem to be evil, it allows great on the
spot thinking for creative solutions.spot thinking for creative solutions.

15. BreakoutBreakout
• WorksheetsWorksheets
• 10 minutes10 minutes
• Report backReport back

16. More Questions?More Questions?
• Gary MorrisonGary Morrison
• gmorrison@aclibrary.orggmorrison@aclibrary.org
• Elsie TepElsie Tep
• eteplib@gmail.cometeplib@gmail.com