Teen Volunteering

Virtual Teen Volunteering Book Reviewer applications are open. 

Click here to apply.

Virtual Volunteers submit book reviews used by the Library to help other readers find books best for them.

A volunteer may submit and be recognized for up to 1 review per week. Reviews are approved seasonally, and a certificate for the previous season may be requested on the following dates. 

• Spring (April 1- June 30): Certificate Request July 8
• Summer (July 1- September 30): Certificate Request October 8
• Fall (October 1 – December 31) Certificate Request January 8
• Winter (January 1 – March 31) Certificate Request April 8

Reviews submitted during March 2024 will be counted as part of Spring, and may be requested on July 8. 

You may submit no more than 1 review per week. Weeks start on Monday and end on Sunday.

Please submit reviews for books read that were for pleasure, not for school work.

Volunteer credit is calculated at the end of each season. 1 hour of time is awarded for each approved review. Remember to take submissions seriously: incomplete or insufficient reviews will not be approved.

A volunteer may request a certificate for any season, or for more than one season, as long as the certificate request date has arrived or past. Certificates are delivered via email in PDF format.

If you have any questions, please email us at volunteer@sclibnj.org or call us at 908-458-8400 x1084.

Bridgewater Library’s In-Person Teen Volunteer Program for Fall 2024 is currently full and not accepting new applications.

Contact information for inquiries regarding volunteering at Bridgewater branch:

Beth Bouwman | ebouwman@sclibnj.org

Hillsborough Library’s In-Person Teen Volunteer Program for Fall 2024 is currently full and not accepting new applications.

Contact information for inquiries regarding volunteering at Hillsborough branch:

Julie Ucelli | jucelli@sclibnj.org

Manville Library’s In-Person Teen Volunteer Program for Fall 2024 is currently not accepting applications. 

To be a volunteer, you must be in 6th to 12th grade.

Manville Library Volunteers will work as General Volunteers.

Volunteers can expect a variety of tasks like cleaning toys and furniture, preparing craft materials, assisting with programs, helping set-up displays and decorations, and more.

Contact information for inquiries regarding volunteering at Manville branch:

Jen Fitzgerald | jfitzgerald@sclibnj.org

The Montgomery Library’s 2024-2025 school year teen volunteer program begins on October 1, 2024 and ends on June 7, 2025.

The teen volunteer program is open to students in grades 6-12.

Submission of an application does not guarantee participation in the program as space is limited and dates/times of opportunities vary.

Teen volunteer roles at Montgomery are:

• Adopt-a-Shelf
  • Details: Volunteers will be responsible for shelf-reading and organizing an assigned portion of the collection. Tasks could also include refreshing displays, organizing book carts, and dusting shelves. Applicants that are new to this role (or have not volunteered in this position within the past year) will be required to complete training and take a shelf-reading test prior to volunteering.
  • Schedule:Volunteers can create their own schedule and should commit to a 1 hour shift per week.
  • Capacity:Space is limited to 20 volunteers per season.
  • Limitations: Adopt-a-Shelf will be held in seasonal sessions (Fall: Oct 1 – Dec 21; Winter: Jan 6 – Mar 15; Spring: Mar 31 – June 7) and volunteers must reapply for each season.
  • Who Should Apply?: Teens that are interested in a consistent schedule, are detail oriented, able to work independently, and can focus on repetitive tasks.
  • Deadline: Applications will close when a seasonal session has reached max capacity.
• General Volunteering
  • Details: Volunteers can expect a variety of tasks including but not limited to: cleaning toys, preparing craft materials, assisting with programs, completing office work, moving furniture, and setting up displays and decorations.
  • Schedule: Volunteers will not receive a dedicated schedule in this position. Volunteers that select this position will be added to a General Volunteering contact list. This list will be notified when opportunities are available and volunteers can elect to participate by registering via a private link.
  • Capacity: Applications for this position will be reviewed on an ongoing basis and interested volunteers will be added to the General Volunteering pool.
  • Limitations: Dates/times vary and opportunities may occur approximately 5-10 times per month. Selecting the General Volunteering role does not guarantee that space will be available. Registration and participation in listed opportunities occurs on a first-come, first-serve basis.
  • Who Should Apply?: Teens that do not need a consistent schedule. Teens that are adaptable to a variety of projects, and can work either independently or with a team to follow instructions from staff and execute tasks as directed.
  • Deadline: Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.

Apply now!

Contact information for inquiries regarding volunteering at Montgomery branch:

Diane Valentine | montgomery@sclibnj.org

North Plainfield Library’s In-Person Teen Volunteer Program is open year round.

To be a volunteer, you must be in 8th to 12th grade during the 2024-2025 school year.

Volunteer opportunities at North Plainfield are:

• Program Assistant
  • Assists with setup, break down, and in-program support.
• Program Assistant: Spin the Wheel Wednesdays (Summer Only)
  • Assists with running the spin the wheel program. Only on Wednesdays.
• Shelf Reading/ Materials Processing/ Cleaning Assistant
  • Ensures titles are in correct shelf order, belong to this branch, edging books, and dusting/cleaning shelves. Blacking out barcodes, removing covers, removing stickers, and boxing weeded materials. Wiping down toddler books, toys, and surfaces.

Apply now!

Contact information for inquiries regarding volunteering at North Plainfield branch:

Julia Meier | jmeier@sclibnj.org

The Peapack-Gladstone branch is currently closed for construction. Volunteering will resume when the branch re-opens.

Somerville Library’s In-Person Teen Volunteer Program for Fall 2024: Applications are currently closed.

To be a volunteer, you must be in 9th to 12th grade during the 2024-2025 School Year.

Contact information for inquiries regarding volunteering at Somerville branch:

Mary Cole | mcole@sclibnj.org AND somerville@sclibnj.org 

Address your message to both email addresses for the most timely reply.

Warren Township Library’s In-Person Teen Volunteer Program for Fall 2024: Application Deadline for the Fall Session is Friday, September 27 or when capacity is reached.

To be a volunteer, you must be in 6th to 12th grade during the 2024-2025 School Year.

Volunteer Opportunities:

• Adopt-a-Shelf: read call numbers on books to make sure they are in the correct order.
• Teen Local History Archivist: take measurements and document details for a local history collection at the library.
• Teen Leadership Committee: learn how to plan, organize, and present a children’s program with Warren Township branch’s Youth Services Department.
• Teen Volunteer Night: connect with other teens as you help with hands-on projects in preparation for upcoming library programs. Participants will earn one community service hour.

Apply to be a Warren Township branch teen volunteer!

Contact information for inquiries regarding volunteering at Warren Township branch:

Hannah Bauer | hbauer@sclibnj.org

Watchung Library’s In-Person Teen Volunteer Program for Fall 2024 is currently full and not accepting new applications.

Contact information for inquiries regarding volunteering at Watchung branch:

Katie Salerno | ksalerno@sclibnj.org