Teen Squad Volunteer Program & Projects
Gain hands-on work experience and have fun while helping out the Library!
Teen Squad - School Year Edition is a teen volunteer opportunity for students to accomplish needed volunteer hours during the school year. Unlike our summer program, there is no start and end date. Teens can apply at any time between October 1, 2022 and February 28, 2023 and will have up to six weeks to complete their project and any needed volunteer hours. Volunteers will be matched with a teen librarian who will work with them to develop their project and a timeline for meeting their goals. Volunteer projects can range from learning about and assisting with in-person tasks around the library, to personal creative projects that complement City Library services and materials and support the Library’s mission and values. Volunteer hours can be completed in-person or virtually, depending on the volunteers needs and interests.
Teen Squad - School Year Edition is a teen volunteer opportunity for students to accomplish needed volunteer hours during the school year. Unlike our summer program, there is no start and end date. Teens can apply at any time between October 1, 2022 and February 28, 2023 and will have up to six weeks to complete their project and any needed volunteer hours. Volunteers will be matched with a teen librarian who will work with them to develop their project and a timeline for meeting their goals. Volunteer projects can range from learning about and assisting with in-person tasks around the library, to personal creative projects that complement City Library services and materials and support the Library’s mission and values. Volunteer hours can be completed in-person or virtually, depending on the volunteers needs and interests.
The Application for Teen Squad - Summer Edition opens in late April 2023. Check back here for updates.
See examples of current and past projects from our school-year and summer volunteers below and on our
BiblioBoard Teen Squad Page here.
Summer 2021 Projects
Library Coding Camp by Sanskriti
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Sanskriti from the Anderson-Foothill Branch missed the library's old Code Club so much, she created a website where you can learn about computer coding! Take a course on HTML and create a webpage, or try some of Sanskriti's other challenges. Beginners can also check out the "Learn More" section for links to more free coding sites.
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Easy, Healthy Recipes by Samantha
Sustainable Fashion by Anderson Foothill Green Team
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Anderson Foothill Green Team, Agatha, Hanxiao, and Myra focused their project around upcycling. They researched the environmental impact of the fashion industry and looked for accessible ways to give old clothes new life. In a series of videos the trio show fun and easy craft projects you can make with old t-shirts, and explain why Reduce and Reuse come before Recycle. Click the link below to find their videos on BiblioBoard.
How to Draw with Colored Pencils by Andrew Chardack
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Sweet Branch volunteer Andrew loves to draw and created a tutorial about drawing with colored pencils. The tutorial includes techniques, a step-by-step demonstration of a drawing project, and some of Andrew's own artwork. Additionally, the tutorial is presented in English and Spanish! Check it out by clicking the button below. |
How to Pay for College by Rocio C.
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Day-Riverside volunteer Rocio C. created a guide for prospective college students in need of financial aid. Their work outlines the many ways students can start preparing for college while still in High School, from skill building to concurrent enrollment. Rocio links to many colleges and universities and other college websites with information about scholarships, grants, tips for undocumented students, and more! Check it out by clicking the button below.
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Step Up Challenge by Anagha
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Day-Riverside volunteer Anagha founded a physical activity challenge for teens called the Step Up Challenge to encourage teens to stay physically active this summer.
In order to participate in the Step Up Challenge, go to any SLCPL library and pick up a tracker. Then, log the number of steps, distance walked, or time spent exercising on the tracker. Once you have logged 30 days of physical activity, bring it into any SLCPL branch for a prize. If you want an additional challenge, there is a fitness bingo that challenges you to try new types of activities and stretch outside of your comfort zone. After you have gotten a blackout, bring the tracker to any SLCPL branch for a bonus prize. |
Author Event with Lisa Greenwald by Morgan
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Four-time Sweet Branch volunteer Morgan is a big-time book lover. Her Teen Squad project was a dream come true event featuring one of her all-time favorite authors. With the help of her supervising librarian, Morgan reached out to author Lisa Greenwald and set up a virtual visit. The event was held Friday, July 16th, 2021 and Morgan herself got to introduce Lisa and ask the author questions about her past and upcoming books. Lisa reported that she had so much fun visiting with our librarians and teens, and loved all of our questions.
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2020-21 School Year Projects
Teen Take and Make Crafts by Emily
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Emily, a volunteer from the Day-Riverside Branch, worked on adding some creativity into teens’ lives. She worked and created two different Teen Take-n-Make to-go bags. Her first was a crafty kit giving the instructions and materials to make a Boondoggle Keychain. The second was an exciting Rock Painting Kit that gave supplies and directions to go find and paint your own rock. At her home branch, Day-Riverside, they were very popular and flew off the table! Both of these activities are some of her favorite things to do, and she did an excellent job of sharing her passion for them with other teens.
Free Take and Make kits are available each month at every City Library location. There are different kits for Kids, Teens, and Adults. Ask for a kit the next time you stop by the library! |
LGBTQIAP+ Resources Project by Trinity
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Trinity, from the Main Library Teen Squad, started this Instagram account to share LGBT+ resources that they have gathered over the years. In their own words "There are quite a bit of different things to be found to help anyone that is looking to get started on the journey that is getting support, loving who you are, finding people like you, and doing it all safely." Visit Trinity's account by clicking the link below. |
Teen to Teen Book Recommendations by Morgan
ART Submissions Wanted! by Claire
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Claire, from the Main Library Teen Squad, another returning volunteer (who is the mastermind behind the Tween LGBTQ+ Book Club), is working on a virtual gallery to showcase local teen art. They are looking for drawings, photography, writing, and other creations. Read all about Claire's project here. Submissions will be featured here on the blog and in the Library's Local Teen Art virtual gallery.
Don't miss you chance to have your art featured here on City Library Teens! |
2020 Summer Projects
Quaranzine by Team Orange
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As a part of the City Library Teen Squad Program 2020, we are created a Quaranzine! In essence, our magazine is intended to document people's experiences during social distancing as well as provide entertainment by including socially distant, community-engaging games and featuring local artists. Additionally, we have created an Instagram page to feature some of our interviewees and their responses to our quarantine interview questions. Follow us @quaranz.ine and read the complete Quaranzine by clicking the button below.
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De-Stress with Yoga & Meditation by Emily
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Chapman Branch volunteer Emily is super passionate about dance, and is currently dancing at her studio along with Skyline Dance Ensemble. Because of this, she wants to share her passion with other teens during this pandemic. For her project, Emily has created a series of yoga/dance videos that will help teens to not only have a fun way to spend their quarantine but to also learn something new.
Follow along with Emily's Meditation and Yoga videos on Biblioboard by clicking the buttons below. |
Story-Writing Template by Hazel
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Marmalade Branch volunteer Hazel created a story-writing template for children and tweens. It will guide them through things like characters, plot line, and settings. Through this activity they will be able to build creative writing skills. Check it out by clicking the link below.
Get help printing the template for free by using The City Library's free printing service. Click here for more info. |
What to Read Next Flowchart by Lily
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Marmalade Branch volunteer Lily created a Flowchart that teens can follow to get quick book recommendations. The project would allow teens and tweens to find interesting books to read quickly. The flowchart has mostly young adult and teen targeted books. Click the link below to find your next great read! |
Mental Health Resouce Zine by Sarah
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Glendale Teen Squad volunteer Sarah created a fantastic printable zine featuring books about mental health and illness. Noticing that there isn't enough representation about the millions of people that are affected by mental illness, Sarah's zine aims to point teens in the direction of books that feature characters dealing with mental health challenges. She also includes some super important crisis hotline information. Click on the button below to visit our Teen Squad collection where you can view or print the zine. See also Maddie's Mini Zine DIY video for how to fold your zine once printed. |
Homemade Soapmaking to Help the Environment by Bridget
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Bridget from our Sprague branch spent the summer making soap with her mom. In this first video (Charcoal Soap) Bridget's mom explains that a lot of plastic waste can be saved by making your own soap products. You can watch her videos on BiblioBoard in our Teen DIY section. |
Introducing World Mythology by the Blue Team
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Blue Team’s goal for this summer is to introduce the world of mythology to kids and teens. They will be doing this through DIY videos for crafts and fun online games, for a few different types of mythologies. They will be kicking it off with Greek mythology, which they have already started working on. After that, they will have content for Egyptian, Norse, and other mythologies.
Check out their crafts videos in our Tutorials by Teens collection on BiblioBoard by clicking here. Or visit the website they built for their project by clicking the button below. |
Invisible Stars by Eli
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As well as working with team members to produce a series of book recommendations, Sweet Branch volunteer Eli is writing a story of his own. You can find the first few chapters of Eli's story Invisible Stars in the Library's Local Teen Art collection on BiblioBoard. Read on for a synopsis of Eli's story and a link to the first chapters below. More installments are coming soon! "The year is 52891, and Humans have conquered most of the Milky Way. When Alan Barrera, a straight-A science student sees his childhood hero murdered by a mysterious killer that was definitely not human, he is shocked that the authorities cover it up right away. Using the last words of this brilliant scientist, he slowly figures out that something bigger is going on-- and someone is willing to do whatever it takes to stop Alan from finding out. With the help of his best friend Eric and an artificial intelligence named IVAN, Alan is in a race against time to stop the potential enslavement of the human race. " |
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Creative Corner Activities for Kids and the Whole Family by Jennifer
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Three-time Day-Riverside Branch volunteer Jennifer enjoys volunteering because there is always room to improve her communication skills and get to know more people and create strong connections. She has focused her summer library project on creating fun activities for kids and their families to enjoy together. Jennifer's three activities are encourage fitness, reading, and playing as a family. Each of her activities can be found the City Library's BiblioBoard site, in the Kids & Tweens section, under Kid's Creative Corner Crafts. Check out the her first activity by clicking the link below. |
Learning About Social Equality through Literature by Anna
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Something I think is very important is learning how to be inclusive and kind to everyone. Books are a wonderful way to take a peek into different people's lives and perspectives. By reading and learning about other people's struggles and differences we can become a more inclusive society that values everyone equally. This summer I will be working on a zine that will be focusing on how books teach us how to become a more inclusive and accepting society. My hopes for this project is that it will inspire someone to pick up a book that shines light on a different culture, ethnicity, or sexuality. Find my Zine on Instagram at @slcpl.zine or read it on BiblioBoard now.
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Library Ambassadors by Team Purple
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We are ambassadors for The City Library at Highland High! Our goal is to let students know about library resources, materials, and involvement. DM us questions! Find us on instagram at @hhslibraryambassadors
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Positivity and Mental Health by Avi
Artwork by Avi
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To help spread awareness about mental health, Avi from the Main Library is sharing 5 great news stories that are filled with positivity and hope, along with 5 mental health tips and resources you can use when feeling down. The art piece seen here was drawn by Avi, celebrating the finding of Fenn’s treasure and encouraging you to listen to your favorite music when you need a pick-me-up. Enjoy Avi’s project and do what you can to take care of yourself and your mental health! For more mental health tips and positive news stories, look for Avi’s second video on BiblioBoard here! Click below to read Avi's tips. |