Make a difference at your library! If you’re in grade 6 through 12, you are eligible to become a Teen Volunteer and/or join the Teen Advisory Board (TAB). Volunteer sessions are scheduled on an as-needed basis and a certain number of hours is not gauranteed. Parent/guardian permission is required.
See below for more information on both the Teen Volunteer program and the Teen Advisory Board and to fill out an application.
About the Teen Volunteer Program
Volunteering at the Seekonk Public Library is a good opportunity to practice:
- Following written and oral instructions, including asking for clarification when necessary
- Learning routine tasks and working independently
- Establishing and maintaining effective relationships with library staff
- Time management, punctuality, and communication
Examples of Work:
- Preparing craft materials
- Putting up displays
- Helping out at programs
- Light cleaning of bookshelves
- Organizing materials
- Labeling books
Hours
Volunteers may be scheduled for 1 - 2 hours per work session, and no more than eight (8) hours per week. A log of your volunteer hours is kept on file at the library and can be provided for you to submit for school or club community service requirements.
What is the Teen Advisory Board?
The Teen Advisory Board (TAB) is a committee of students in grades 6 through 12 that meets once a month to share ideas about upcoming programs and discuss how we can make the most out of the library’s services for tweens and teens. It is an opportunity to practice leadership, collaboration, and civic engagement and to take an active role in shaping the library’s impact on your community. Sometimes we brainstorm big ideas about library events and collections, and other times we work on more nuanced details. Most meetings take place as a group discussion, but occasionally we use our time to work on creative projects like video shorts or to complete various tasks in support of library services. Becoming a member of the board requires a commitment to attend meetings regularly.
Meetings take place on the first Thursday of every month during the school year (September to May) from 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm. Some of our members come from schools outside of Seekonk, so starting at 3:30 gives them time to get to the library. Members who attend Hurley Middle School or Seekonk High tend to walk to the library right after school, then spend time working on homework or just hanging out until the meeting starts.
A log of your attendance at TAB is kept on file at the library and can be provided for you to submit for school or club community service requirements.
Which one is right for me?
Some students join both the Teen Advisory Board and the Teen Volunteer program, but many choose one or the other. Both options count toward community service requirements for school or other organizations, but if you need a lot of hours then TAB meetings alone will probably not add up to enough.
Teen Volunteer sessions are assigned on an as-needed basis, but there is usually some flexibility as to specific days and times. For many people, this flexibility is a good thing, but it does require you to keep track of a changing schedule and ensure you can reliably attend the sessions you sign up for.
The Teen Advisory Board takes place during regularly scheduled meetings, and you are expected to attend as consistently as possible in order to maintain a cohesive and dependable cohort. If you do need to miss meetings or take some time off for sports, clubs, etc., please try to let the Teen Librarian know ahead of time if possible.
Both programs are a great way to help out the library and the community, and an excellent opportunity to make friends!
Apply Now!
To apply to be a Teen Volunteer, a Teen Advisory Board member, or both, please fill out this online form or contact the library for a printed form. If you apply online, your parent or guardian will need to fill out a hard copy of the permission form on or before your first session.