Teen Volunteering at SCLSNJ

Explore volunteer programs at your local branch; in-person opportunities vary by location. Learn more about and apply for virtual opportunities here: https://sclsnj.org/about/volunteer/virtual-teen-volunteering/

Bound Brook branch is not currently open. 

Contact information for inquiries regarding volunteering at Bound Brook branch:
Laura Curry | [email protected]

Bridgewater Library’s In-Person Teen Volunteer Program for Fall 2024 :

To be a volunteer, you must be in 9th to 12th grade during the 2024-2025 School Year.

Volunteer Opportunities:

  • Program Assistant
  • Shelf Reading Volunteer

Bridgewater also holds Teen Volunteer Night every other Tuesday evening from 6:30 to 7:30 beginning September 12th.  Attendees only need to register via the calendar and do not need to fill out a volunteer application.  This opportunity is open for students in grades 7-12.

Link to the Bridgewater Library branch teen volunteer application. 

Contact information for inquiries regarding volunteering at Bridgewater branch:
Beth Bouwman | [email protected]

Hillsborough Library’s In-Person Teen Volunteer Program for Fall 2024 is currently full and not accepting new applications.

Contact information for inquiries regarding volunteering at Hillsborough branch:

Julie Ucelli | [email protected]

Manville Library’s In-Person Teen Volunteer Program for Fall 2024. 

To be a volunteer, you must be in 6th to 12th grade.

Manville Library Volunteers will work as General Volunteers.

  • General Volunteering
    • Volunteers can expect a variety of tasks like cleaning toys and furniture, preparing craft materials, assisting with programs, helping set-up displays and decorations, and more.

To access the teen volunteer application click here.

Contact information for inquiries regarding volunteering at Manville branch:
Jen Fitzgerald | [email protected]

The Montgomery Library’s 2024-2025 school year teen volunteer program begins on October 1, 2024 and ends on June 7, 2025.

The teen volunteer program is open to students in grades 6-12.

Submission of an application does not guarantee participation in the program as space is limited and dates/times of opportunities vary.

Teen volunteer roles at Montgomery are:

Adopt-a-Shelf

Details: Volunteers will be responsible for shelf-reading and organizing an assigned portion of the collection. Tasks could also include refreshing displays, organizing book carts, and dusting shelves. Applicants that are new to this role (or have not volunteered in this position within the past year) will be required to complete training and take a shelf-reading test prior to volunteering.

Schedule:Volunteers can create their own schedule and should commit to a 1 hour shift per week.

Capacity:Space is limited to 20 volunteers per season.

Limitations: Adopt-a-Shelf will be held in seasonal sessions (Fall: Oct 1 – Dec 21; Winter: Jan 6 – Mar 15; Spring: Mar 31 – June 7) and volunteers must reapply for each season.

Who Should Apply?: Teens that are interested in a consistent schedule, are detail oriented, able to work independently, and can focus on repetitive tasks.

Deadline: Applications will close when a seasonal session has reached max capacity.

General Volunteering

Details: Volunteers can expect a variety of tasks including but not limited to: cleaning toys, preparing craft materials, assisting with programs, completing office work, moving furniture, and setting up displays and decorations.

Schedule: Volunteers will not receive a dedicated schedule in this position. Volunteers that select this position will be added to a General Volunteering contact list. This list will be notified when opportunities are available and volunteers can elect to participate by registering via a private link.

Capacity: Applications for this position will be reviewed on an ongoing basis and interested volunteers will be added to the General Volunteering pool.

Limitations: Dates/times vary and opportunities may occur approximately 5-10 times per month. Selecting the General Volunteering role does not guarantee that space will be available. Registration and participation in listed opportunities occurs on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Who Should Apply?: Teens that do not need a consistent schedule. Teens that are adaptable to a variety of projects, and can work either independently or with a team to follow instructions from staff and execute tasks as directed.

Deadline: Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.

Click here to apply.

Contact information for inquiries regarding volunteering at Montgomery branch:

Diane Valentine | [email protected]

North Plainfield Library’s In-Person Teen Volunteer Program for Fall 2024:

The In-Person Teen Volunteer Program is open year round.

To be a volunteer, you must be in 8th to 12th grade during the 2024-2025 school year.

Volunteer opportunities at North Plainfield are:

  • Program Assistant
    • Assists with setup, break down, and in-program support.
  • Program Assistant: Spin the Wheel Wednesdays (Summer Only)
    • Assists with running the spin the wheel program. Only on Wednesdays.
  • Shelf Reading/ Materials Processing/ Cleaning Assistant
    • Ensures titles are in correct shelf order, belong to this branch, edging books, and dusting/cleaning shelves. Blacking out barcodes, removing covers, removing stickers, and boxing weeded materials. Wiping down toddler books, toys, and surfaces.

Click here to apply.

Contact information for inquiries regarding volunteering at North Plainfield branch:
Julia Meier | [email protected]

Somerville Library’s In-Person Teen Volunteer Program for Fall 2024 :

To be a volunteer, you must be in 9th to 12th grade during the 2024-2025 School Year.

All applications should be posted by MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, and all volunteering should start by OCTOBER.

Volunteers may volunteer up to two hours per week.

Submission of an application does not guarantee acceptance into the program as space is limited and dates/times of opportunities vary. This program begins on October 1, 2024 and ends on May 2, 2025.

Volunteer Opportunities:

  • Collection Maintenance Assistant: Shelf read and organize an assigned portion of the library collection. Refresh displays, organize book carts, etc.
  • Reading Buddies: Beginning in the 2024-25 school year, read a book with a younger child at the library.  
  • Databases and E-Resources from the SCLSNJ website: Try one of these resources and write a review, or record yourself making a 3-5 minutes review video.
  • Call to Action: Help to decide, prepare and to execute teen programs.
  • Program Assistance: Help set up, break down, and provide in-person program support for the library staff. 
  • Clerical work: Cut crafts materials, help set up and take down displays and decorations, and more.

Link to the Somerville Library branch teen volunteer application. 

Contact information for inquiries regarding volunteering at Somerville branch:
Mabelle Riquelme | [email protected]
and [email protected] 

*You should address your email to both email addresses for the most timely reply.

Warren Township Library’s In-Person Teen Volunteer Program for Fall 2024 :

To be a volunteer, you must be in 6th to 12th grade during the 2024-2025 School Year.

Application Deadline for the Fall Session is Friday, September 27 or when capacity is reached.

Volunteer Opportunities:

  • Adopt-a-Shelf: read call numbers on books to make sure they are in the correct order.
  • Teen Local History Archivist: take measurements and document details for a local history collection at the library.
  • Teen Leadership Committee: learn how to plan, organize, and present a children’s program with Warren Township branch’s Youth Services Department.
  • Teen Volunteer Night: connect with other teens as you help with hands-on projects in preparation for upcoming library programs. Participants will earn one community service hour.

Link to the Warren Library branch teen volunteer application. 

Contact information for inquiries regarding volunteering at Warren Township branch:

Hannah Bauer | [email protected]

Watchung Library’s In-Person Teen Volunteer Program for School Year 2024-2025

To be a volunteer, you must be in 9th to 12th grade during the 2024-25 school year.

Opportunities at Watchung Library (Valley Furniture, 20 Stirling Road) this school year are rolling until full.  

Click here to apply 

Teen Volunteer Afternoon: Letters for a Cause is open to students in 6th – 12th grade during the 2024-25 school year and takes place on Thursdays, September 19, October 17, and November 21, 4:30pm to 5:30pm. 

September 19: https://sclsnj.libnet.info/event/11150646

October 17: https://sclsnj.libnet.info/event/11150674

November 21: https://sclsnj.libnet.info/event/11150785

Contact information for inquiries regarding volunteering at Watchung branch:
Katie Salerno | [email protected]

Have additional questions? Email [email protected].