Teen Volunteerism 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’s In-Person Teen Volunteer Program Application for Summer 2023 is open!

Bound Brook Branch In-Person Volunteering begins on July 5, 2023 and ends August 9, 2023.

Application deadline: none; applications are accepted on a rolling basis until all opportunities are filled.

Click here to apply.

Contact information for inquiries regarding volunteering at Bound Brook branch:
Laura Curry | lcurry@sclibnj.org

Bridgewater Library’s Summer Reading Challenge Teen Volunteer Program for 2023 is now open for applications!

This summer, in person volunteering at the Bridgewater Library begins June 12, and ends August 31, 2023.

Opportunities are available for students entering 9-12 grade in Fall 2023.

Volunteer Opportunities at Bridgewater Library this summer are:

  • Program Assistant
  • Shelf Reading Volunteer
  • Spin the Wheel Volunteer

Training will be provided for all accepted volunteers.

Application Deadline: Rolling, until all opportunities are filled.

Click here to apply!

Bridgewater Library will also be holding Teen Volunteer Nights on July 11 & 25, and August 8 & 22. For students entering 7th – 12th grade, this program does not require an application. Find more information at https://sclsnj.libnet.info/events

Contact information for inquiries regarding volunteering at Bridgewater branch:
Beth Bouwman | ebouwman@sclibnj.org

Bridgewater Library offers STAR (Supported Teen Alternate Route Program) for volunteers with disabilities who require additional support to volunteer. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. For more information, please email Jungwon DeVone at jdevone@sclibnj.org or call (908) 458-8415 x1162.

Hillsborough Library’s Summer Reading Challenge Teen Volunteer Program for 2023 is now closed!

This summer, in person volunteering at the Hillsborough Library begins June 29, and ends August 19, 2023.

Required training for all Hillsborough volunteers will be provided the week of June 5.

Opportunities are available for students entering 7-12 grade in Fall 2023.

Volunteer Opportunities at Hillsborough Library this summer are:

  • Early Literacy Support (Grades 7-12):
    • Volunteers will help clean up the program room following baby songs and toddler time. Clean up will include moving furniture, sanitizing and putting away toys and books.
    • Tuesdays 10:45-11:15 and Fridays 11:15-11:45.
  • Craft Assistant (Grades 7-12):
    • Volunteers will help the children’s department prepare and package summer crafts.
    • Thursdays from 3-5.
  • Program Assistant (Grades 8-12):
    • Assistant with the running and prep of various children’s programs. Programs will be for preschool- grade 8.
    • Various dates and times.
  • Adopt A Shelf (Grades 8-12):
    • Volunteers will help the library with its collection of library materials. They will shelf read call numbers on library materials like books and DVDs to make sure they are in the correct order. This is a great opportunity for anyone who is detail-oriented.
    • Volunteers will be scheduled for weekly shifts based on their availability.
  • Reading Buddies (Grades 9-12):
    • Teen volunteers will be partnered with a child (K-4) to allow the child to practice their reading skills by reading out loud to the volunteer.
    • Wednesdays from 10:20-11:35 or 4:20-5:35. You will be required to attend all the sessions (7/5, 7/12, 7/19, 7/26, 8/2, 8/9, 8/16)
  • Spin the Wheel (Grades 9-12):
    • Volunteers will run the summer prize wheel in the youth services room.
    • Wednesdays from 10-8. Volunteers will be assigned a 2.5 hour shift.

Application Deadline: Friday, May 26.

Allison Ryan | aryan@sclibnj.org

For more information about other volunteer opportunities, please contact volunteer@sclibnj.org.

Manville Library’s In-Person Teen Volunteer Program for Summer 2023 is open!

The In-Person Teen Volunteer Program begins on June 1, 2023 and ends on August 31, 2023.

To be a volunteer, you must be in 6th to 12th grade during the 2023-24 School Year.

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.

Click here to apply.

Contact information for inquiries regarding volunteering at Manville branch:
Jen Fitzgerald | jfitzgerald@sclibnj.org

The Montgomery Library’s In-Person Teen Volunteer Program for 2023 Summer has reached capacity and applications are now closed.

Contact information for inquiries regarding volunteering at Montgomery branch:

Diane Valentine | montgomery@sclibnj.org

North Plainfield Library’s In-Person Teen Volunteer Program for Summer Reading Challenge 2023 is open!

The In-Person Teen Volunteer Program begins on June 1, 2023 and ends on August 31, 2023.

To be a volunteer, you must be in 6th to 12th grade during the 2023-24 School Year.

Volunteer opportunities at North Plainfield this summer are:

  • First Look Book Reviews
    • Complete book reviews of ARCs for collection development purposes.
  • Program Prep
    • Assists in prepping supplies for programs which can include using a diecut machine, sorting and counting out supplies, and creating examples of crafts.
  • Program Assistant
    • Assists with setup, break down, and in-program support.
  • 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 | jmeier@sclibnj.org

Peapack-Gladstone Library’s In-Person Teen Volunteer Program for Summer Reading Challenge 2023 is open!

The In-Person Teen Volunteer Program begins on June 1, 2023 and ends on August 19, 2023.

To be a volunteer, you must be in 6th to 12th grade during the 2023-24 School Year.

Click here to apply.

Contact information for inquiries regarding the teen volunteer program at Peapack and Gladstone branch:
Nicole Pascoe | npascoe@sclibnj.org

Somerville Library’s In-Person Teen Volunteer Program for Summer Reading Challenge 2023 is open!

The In-Person Teen Volunteer Program begins on June 12, 2023 and ends on August 25, 2023.

To be a volunteer, you must be in 9th to 12th grade during the 2023-24 School Year.

Opportunities at Somerville Library are:

  • General Volunteers:
    • Help with general tasks for the library such as decorating, craft preparation, and program assistance.
    • Date and time TBD, one hour per week.
  • Spin the Wheel Assistant:
    • Greet and guide patrons through a weekly spin-the-wheel activity.
    • Shifts will be on Wednesdays.
  • Adopt-A-Shelf:
    • Organize and clean a shelf in the library.
    • Up to 4 hours per week.

Click here to apply.

Contact information for inquiries regarding volunteering at Somerville branch:
Mary Cole | mcole@sclibnj.org
and Somerville@sclibnj.org

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

Warren Township Library’s In-Person Teen Volunteer Program for Summer Reading Challenge 2023 is open!

The In-Person Teen Volunteer Program begins on June 12, 2023 and ends on August 25, 2023.

To be a volunteer, you must be in 9th to 12th grade during the 2023-24 School Year.

Opportunities at Warren Library are:

  • Teen Leadership Committee/Teen Volunteer Night (entering grades 7-12)
    • The Teen Leadership Committee (or TLC) is a group that fosters leadership in the library. The group meets once a month for an hour, giving teens the opportunity to help develop and create Children’s programs that they will later run. Community service hours are awarded just for attending regular monthly meetings. Committees are formed to work on ongoing projects in the library, providing more opportunities to earn service hours.
    • Please note: TLC is open to all students, grades 7-12. You do not have to apply to be a volunteer to attend meetings. However, by filling out the application, you will be added to our TLC email list.
  • Adopt-a-Shelf (entering grades 9-12)
    • In this position, volunteers will shelf read call numbers on books to make sure they are in the correct order. This is a great opportunity for anyone who is detail-oriented.  Volunteers will come in one hour, once a week to straighten the shelf or area that has been assigned to them.
    • Training will be provided in early June.
  • Program Volunteers (entering grades 9-12)
    • In this position, volunteers will help the librarian set up and clean up for programs, as well as help the librarian and participants with activities throughout the program.
    • Specific opportunities will be sent out to applicants in early June.

Click here to apply.

Application Deadline: June 1

Contact information for inquiries regarding volunteering at Warren Township branch:
Hannah Bauer | hbauer@sclibnj.org

Watchung Library’s In-Person Teen Volunteer Program for Summer Reading Challenge 2023 is open!

The In-Person Teen Volunteer Program begins on June 12, 2023 and ends on August 31, 2023.

To be a volunteer, you must be in 9th to 12th grade during the 2023-24 School Year.

Opportunities at Watchung Library this summer are:

  • Behind the Scenes:
    • In this position you will help cut out materials for programs and/or help with other preparation for library events. You may also be asked to do a variety of tasks including stuffing envelopes for mailings, cleaning the covers of books, putting away and cleaning off toys in the play area, etc.
    • Training will be provided.
  • Adopt a Shelf:
    • In this position, volunteers will shelf read call numbers on books to make sure they are in the correct order. This is a great opportunity for anyone who is detail-oriented. Volunteers are expected to work a minimum of two shifts a month and at most once a week or else shelves will be reassigned to other volunteers.
    • Training will be provided.

Click here to apply.

Watchung Library will also be holding Teen Volunteer Nights on July 18 and August 8. For students entering 6th – 12th grade, this program does not require an application. Find more information at https://sclsnj.libnet.info/events

Contact information for inquiries regarding volunteering at Watchung branch:
Katie Salerno | ksalerno@sclibnj.org

Have additional questions? Email volunteer@sclibnj.org or call the Civic Services Volunteering team at (908) 458-4938.