The document outlines a comprehensive guide for implementing a teen volunteer program at libraries, covering aspects such as recruitment, training, scheduling, task assignment, and volunteer management. It highlights both the rewards and challenges of working with teen volunteers and provides practical strategies for success, including creating a supportive environment and maintaining clear communication. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of volunteer appreciation to encourage ongoing participation.

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!

6. What am I getting myself into?
GETTING STARTED

7. Getting Started
• Learn from your mistakes
• Learn from others (sample teen survey)
• Support from administration, staff
• Questions
• Who?
• What?
• Where?
• When?
• Why?

8. Cornering the teen market
RECRUITMENT

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

12. 100 teens want to volunteer! Now what?
SCHEDULING

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

14. Paper calendar

15. Google Calendar
East Greenbush Community Library

16. Blog
Gum Spring Library

17. Volunteerspot.com

18. Signupgenius.com

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

20. Volunteer Log

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!
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•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
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•
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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

28. Staff Projects List

29. Projects Chart

30. Keeping everyone on track
SUPERVISING/MANAGING

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

33. After all, it was free help!
VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION

34. Volunteer Appreciation
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Party
T-shirts
Small prizes/gifts
Food, candy
Work off fines, no fees
Free Friends membership
Buy a item for collection in their honor
Volunteer awards
Certificates, recommendation letters
Recognition

35. Questions?
Becky LeBoeuf
Delta Township District Library
bleboeuf@dtdl.org