We are seeking enthusiastic teenage volunteers to join our library team! If you're fun, outgoing, and eager to help your peers, this is a perfect opportunity for you. As a volunteer, you'll gain real job experience in a lively, educational environment while making a positive impact on your community. Join us to contribute to the library's success and make a difference among your fellow teens!

What is the Teen Volunteer Program?

Through the Scottsdale Public Library Teen Volunteer program, teens gain real job experience in a fun and educational environment while providing a valuable service to the library, positively impacting the community. This program allows teens to earn documented volunteer hours with the library. We have two programs during the year: the Teen School Year program runs from September-May while the Teen Summer program runs from June-July.

Requirements/Qualifications:

• Teens must be at least 14 years old and not yet 18 years old. (per city guidelines)
• Must have parent/guardian permission.
• Teens much complete and acknowledge that they have read and understood the volunteer guidelines.
• Must be able to commit to the schedule for the chosen volunteer opportunities (some opportunities require a regular commitment to a weekly schedule; others do not).
• Must have a genuine desire to volunteer.

Attendance:

• You need to be punctual and present for your scheduled work hours. We will be expecting your help at that time and need to be notified well in advance when you are unable to make it to the library.
• Please remind your teen volunteer liaison the week before you go on vacation or before other previously scheduled commitments.
• If you are scheduled to volunteer and cannot make it for whatever reason, please email and let us know. There is an email account set up for each branch for teen communication.
• You will be required to sign in and out each time you volunteer to help us track your hours.
• Volunteers who miss more than three volunteer assignments (unapproved absences) will be removed from the volunteer schedule.

What skills can be gained by participating in the Teen Volunteer program?

• Volunteers will learn real-world skills to support success in future job endeavors such as leadership, communication, teamwork, problem-solving, time management and organizational skills, adaptability, and cultural awareness.
• Volunteering can help teens explore their interests and cultivate skills that can benefit them for a lifetime contributing to their personal growth.
• Teen Volunteer liaisons at each branch will coordinate and communicate with the teen volunteers regarding volunteer opportunities. Volunteer opportunities will be posted in advance.

The Teen School Year Volunteer program runs from September through May.

Fill out this form to sign up to be a teen school year volunteer. Once completed, a Teen Volunteer Coordinator will contact you with next steps.

The Teen School Year Volunteer program at Mustang Library and Arabian Library has now reached capacity for this school year. Please consider applying to volunteer at the other branches. Thank you for your interest!

The Teen Summer Volunteer program runs from June-July. Teen Summer Volunteers assist with the library’s Summer Reading Challenge and special projects throughout the summer. Teen Summer Volunteers also have the opportunity to be a Reading Buddy volunteer. Reading Buddies is a program where teen volunteers work closely with school aged children to help boost the child’s confidence and literacy skills over the summer. Please note that space is limited for this program and submitting an application is not a guarantee of acceptance.

Additional Requirements to be a Teen Summer Volunteer:

• Applications are required and will be accepted April 1-30. Teens who volunteer during the school year must fill out a separate application for the summer.
• New teen summer volunteers must attend one general orientation session (dates listed below). Returning teen summer volunteers can skip the general orientation session.
• Wear a Teen Summer Volunteer T-shirt and name badge at all shifts.

General Orientation Sessions

10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 2, at Mustang Library
10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 9, at Civic Center Library
5:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 13, at Arabian Library

How to Apply

Applications will open April 1. Please check back at that time to submit an interest form.