Teen Volunteers - Open
Volunteer Opportunities for Teens Ages 12-17
(Those ages 18+ will need to apply to volunteer at the library as an adult. Applications for adult volunteers are accepted year-round. Click here to learn more.)
Teen Volunteering at Urbandale Public Library. Apply now to help this 2026-2027 School Year!
Want to have fun while helping the library? Want to gain valuable work experience while you earn volunteer hours for the Silver Cord Program? Teens ages 12-17 can volunteer at the Urbandale Public Library this school year! Applications are due no later than September 11 by midnight via email to jstolz@urbandale.org, or by library close at 6:00 PM if dropping off in person. We are only able to manage up to 15 volunteers during the school year, so make sure to return your application in a timely manner. Please note that all returning volunteers (from summer or previous school years) must apply as well.
Available Shifts:
- Teens selected to volunteer will have the opportunity to volunteer MOST (but not all) Wednesday and Thursday afternoons from 4:00-5:00 PM sanitizing and cleaning toys, prepping for crafts and STEM activities (cutting, tracing, measuring ingredients, sorting items, etc.), setting up for programs, etc.
- Some Wednesday or Thursday evenings, and Saturdays there will be opportunities to volunteer at library programs helping youth and families to do crafts or STEM activities.
- Other dates and times will sometimes be available, such as during the day over Winter or Spring Break.
- You chose among available shifts that work for you!
What we ask of our volunteers:
- All volunteers must complete an application. Parents and applicants must sign the application before volunteers can begin volunteering. Print it out, or ask for a printed copy at the library’s front desk.
- Teens will be asked to volunteer at least 6 hours each quarter (October-December & January-March), keeping in mind that most shifts are one-hour shifts.
- Teens must register for notifications through Remind (https://www.remind.com/join/beack7) to learn about upcoming shifts and communicate scheduling changes or issues with library staff. Remind is a communication platform used by schools and organizations that allows youth to receive official messages via an app on a smart device, a web browser, or through email. Parents are encouraged to sign up to receive notifications as well.
- We will send out a Google Form with available shifts through Remind. You sign up for the ones you want to work.
- Teens must read the duties and expectations document and agree to uphold them to the best of their abilities.
- Teens who turn in their application will be called for a short phone interview in which they will be asked questions to assess the candidate’s demeanor, dependability, and understanding of the library’s requirements (Teens who have volunteered previously are exempt from the interview requirement unless otherwise notified, but must turn in an application).
Upcoming Orientation Sessions:
ALL teen volunteers new to school-year volunteering must attend one orientation/training session before you are able to volunteer. Choose to attend either Thursday, October 1 at 4:30 PM or Saturday, October 3 at 1:00 PM. Orientation usually lasts approximately 30-45 minutes.