Teen Volunteering


The library has volunteer programs for teens in grades eight through 12. Volunteering can be a satisfying way to invest your time and energy and use your special skills. If you would like to discuss other opportunities for teen engagement, please email us at teens@princetonlibrary.org.


Teen Summer Volunteer Program

The Teen Summer Volunteer program (TSV) is a seasonal program at the Princeton Public Library for youth entering 8th through 12th grade in the fall. It is coordinated with our annual summer reading programs and runs from June 15 to August 15, 2023. Our volunteers are library ambassadors that help us connect with teens in the community as well as support summer reading. Our variety of volunteering activities promote teen literacy and the library’s mission of advancing knowledge, encouraging dialogue, and providing opportunities for discovery and joy.

What are the requirements to participate?
  1. Be a rising 8-12th grader (2023-2024 school year).
  2. Have an active Princeton Public Library card in your own name. Library cards that are expired or belong to a family member will not be accepted.
  3. Complete an application, including a signed reference form.
  4. Be accepted & volunteer for at least 10 hours!
  5. Sign up for and complete Teen Summer Reading: read for 20 days over the summer and log it.
How can I apply?
To participate in TSV, you must first complete the application by June 5. You’ll need your library card number on hand. You’ll also need to complete a signed reference form. Applications are not complete without an active library card number and signed reference form. Applicants will hear back on June 16 regarding acceptance into the program.
How do I earn volunteer hours?
There are three ways to volunteer at the library during the summer. You can apply to be a Literacy Advocate, Maker Assistant or Program Intern. Each position requires a commitment to a minimum 10 hours of volunteering.

Maker Assistant and Program Intern openings are limited. Your volunteer placement will be according to availability and preference. Should interest exceed capacity, participants to the program will be selected by random lottery. We cannot guarantee a spot.

  • Literacy Advocate: You will earn volunteer hours for reviewing books and creating digital content that promotes books and reading for the library’s teen Instagram, TikTok, and Spotify accounts. This position is self-paced and work can be completed according to your own availability and schedule.
  • Maker Assistant: Work in small groups to make take-home craft projects, design interactive bulletin boards, and participate in craft-and-chat groups. Sessions run weekly on Mondays (2-4 p.m.) and Thursday (10 a.m.-12 p.m.), and you must commit to attending at least five sessions during the summer.
  • Program Intern: You’ll volunteer for 10 hours over the course of four consecutive days (Tuesday-Friday) to plan and execute a large-scale library program for children. Alongside a small group of peers and with the support of library staff, you’ll create activities, games, and crafts for an event you will staff. Assignments to the camps will be according to availability and preference and are not guaranteed.
    • Camp 1: July 11-14, 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
    • Camp 2: July 18-21, 1:30-4 p.m.
    • Camp 3: August 1-4, 1:30-4 p.m.
Will TSV fulfill a service requirement?
As volunteer service requirements vary from organization to organization, we can not guarantee that TSV fulfills your program’s requirements. It’s important to contact your organization to make sure the hours count toward your service requirements.
How do I get my hours verified?
Participants will receive a letter in early fall verifying their volunteer hours. If you have additional verification forms you would like us to complete, you may send them to teens@princetonlibrary.org. If you have not met the requirements of completing Teen Summer Reading and the minimum 10 hours of volunteering, your service hours will not be verified.

Teen Advisory Board

The mission of the Princeton Public Library Teen Advisory Board (TAB) is to strengthen the bridge between the teen community and the library, to encourage teen participation and to share the diverse ideas, interests and voices of teens.

TAB is an opportunity for Princeton high school students to develop valuable leadership skills while contributing to the library and the Princeton community. TAB members are active, creative, passionate advocates of the library and dedicate considerable time and energy to creating and executing projects that support the mission of the board of trustees.

TAB runs from September to May, and members are selected in the spring for the next school year.

APPLICATIONS CLOSED

Thanks for your interest in TAB. Applications for the 2022-2023 board are closed. Information about 2023-2024 TAB will be posted in Summer 2023.