Teen Volunteers

Booking with a Buddy

Mondays and/or Wednesdays, one hour slots between 11 am - 8:30 pm

Booking with a Buddy pairs young readers with teen Big Buddies. You will read with and to your Little Buddy as well as play a reading-based group game near the end of each weekly one-hour session. Big Buddies will commit to one or two time slots each week and will work with the same kid(s) throughout the program. This fun interactive program offers a great opportunity for teens looking to get valuable one-on-one experience mentoring and working with younger kids. Volunteers in this group must commit to attend at least four of their five weekly sessions between June 25 and July 25.

Green Team

Mondays 2 pm - 3 pm

In this volunteer group, you will learn to grow plants in the library's courtyard garden. In addition to weekly weeding and upkeep of the garden, you will also learn about sustainability and eco-friendly practices. Volunteers in this group should be prepared to get dirty.

Assistant Librarians - Group 1

Tuesdays 11 am - 12 pm

In this volunteer group you will help librarians on projects to help maintain and promote the library's collection. From keeping the collections up-to-date to sharing your favorites, be ready to learn some of the many things our librarians do each day at the library.

Assistant Librarians - Group 2

Tuesdays 3 pm - 4 pm

In this volunteer group you will help librarians on projects to help maintain and promote the library's collection. From keeping the collections up-to-date to sharing your favorites, be ready to learn some of the many things our librarians do each day at the library.

Community Activists

Tuesdays 3 pm - 4 pm

This volunteer group will explore community activism and develop skills to effect change. Participants will research issues that are important to them and collaborate on projects to meet community needs.

Technology Help for Seniors

Wednesdays 2 pm - 3:30 pm

In this volunteer group, you will help senior citizens with their technology questions, such as posting to Facebook or sending a photo to a friend via Messenger. We'll also play computer games and have interesting conversations. Volunteers in this group should be patient and comfortable talking to older adults.

Artists for Equality

Wednesdays 3 pm - 5 pm

This volunteer group is for teen artists interested in promoting gender equality through creating art. Participants in this group will work together with education outreach staff from the Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation to create a mural at the library.

Assistants for Preschool Nature Play

Thursdays 10 am - 12 pm

In this volunteer group, you will be working directly with our youngest patrons and their caregivers. You will show them that nature is all around us, and it is easy to interact with it. Weekly activities will include identifying plants and insects with educational aides, playing in a water table and sand table, and facilitating other simple activities. You will also help set up and clean up. Volunteers in this group must be comfortable getting dirty and picking up bugs.

Actors and Crew for Theater Performance

Tuesdays and Thursdays 5 pm - 7 pm

In this volunteer group, you will be part of a teen acting ensemble that will perform The Giver, a play adapted from the young adult dystopian novel by Lois Lowry. Performances will take place in the library's professional-caliber auditorium and open to the general public. Volunteers in this group should be interested in theater production and acting. In addition to two weekly rehearsals during the summer volunteer program, volunteers must also be available for multiple rehearsals and two performances during first two weeks of August.

InfoLiteracy Specialists

Thursdays 10 am - 11 am

In this volunteer group, teens will play games and learn about information literacy, including identifying credible sources of information, fact checking, recognizing bias, and spotting false claims. Over the course of the summer, volunteers will work together to plan and create a game to be used to teach information literacy to children, teens, and adults.

Peace Ambassadors

Thursdays 3 pm - 4:30 pm

Peace Ambassadors will explore the strategies of nonviolent communication and restorative justice while learning about community building and conflict resolution. Participants will develop skills to communicate effectively and promote peace.

Youth Gaming Leaders

Mondays-Fridays 12 pm - 2 pm

In this volunteer group, you will lead tabletop gaming sessions on strategy games like chess, Settlers of Catan Junior, and Ticket to Ride for elementary-age youth in the library during the weekday. You will be assigned to one or two time slots per week. Volunteers who sign up for this group should enjoy tabletop gaming and be capable of teaching and coaching younger children to play.