Teen volunteers are an important part of our volunteer family. Bringing forward their passion for helping others, and their joy in connecting with younger kids, they have helped the Library become a shared space for learning and fun. From positions like Program Prep Assistant, Video Game Assistant, Community Consultant, and Reading Support, there are so many ways our youth volunteers support the greater Library system and encourage literacy learning of all kinds.
Now, let's hear a little from our teen volunteers, Marin and Kenley!
Marin, Leading Readers Support
About Me
I am a grade 12 student at CPA. I like sports and I play hockey and lacrosse. I also enjoy playing and listening to music, and I love to read! My favourite books include The Martian by Andy Weir and The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. I am attending Western University in the fall to study engineering!
I grew up visiting the Library and it's where I found my love of reading. When I was searching for volunteer opportunities and I saw a volunteer position open, I thought it was a perfect way to get involved and give back to my community.
Leading Readers
I have been a volunteer here with the Leading Readers program for two years. In the Leading Readers program, teen volunteers offer reading support and encouragement to elementary school students. Together, we read and participate in literary-based activities with the goal to create a positive environment in the Library.
What I enjoy most about this volunteer role is working with the kids and getting to know them, and sharing my love of reading with them. I also enjoy meeting and working with the other teen volunteers!
A special volunteering memory for me is returning after the summer break and seeing returning kids, as well as meeting all of the new kids and volunteers.
This volunteer experience has allowed me to gain confidence in myself and helped me feel more comfortable in a leadership role. I am really happy I went out of my comfort zone for this opportunity, and I hope to continue volunteering throughout university and after!
Kenley, Program Assistant/Dungeon Master
About Me
Hi, I'm Kenley. I thoroughly enjoy doing all kinds of little crafts whenever I can in my free time. I'll be watching TV and see some small accessory or some object and I just decide that I'm going to try to make it. Usually, it ends up ok but it's just something I like to do in my free time. I like collecting action fingers and decorating my room with posters. I like adding colour to my bedroom.
I became a Library volunteer because I was already involved in other DnD (Dungeons and Dragons) related activities and when staff mentioned that they'd be starting another campaign at the Library but needed DMs (Dungeon Masters), I volunteered because I thought I'd enjoy it. I've been doing this role for almost two years now.
Creating a Campaign
I don't really have many tasks or rules, if you will. Apart from character creation, I get a pretty good amount of creative freedom. The only thing is I have to keep it appropriate for the age group, but the bigger thing is to keep it fun for the participants. It's also important to keep the volume to a minimum because we are technically still in the Library, but my biggest concern is keeping it fun. I'd like to say I'm good at doing that.
One of the best parts about this role is giving kids access to this experience. DnD is so much fun and I get to share that with other people so that maybe they can get their own group started.
I recall a special memory from the beginning of the campaign. By chance, I had decided to add a little girl in a random house the group was exploring because I thought it could have been funny—and I'm glad I did. This poor made-up girl was scared away by the group. By the end of the campaign, they had found her again! It was a funny moment.
All in all, I really like the amount of creative freedom I get when it comes to making the campaign for the participants.
Thank You, Teens!
Our heartfelt gratitude to the many teens who help out around our branches and make the Library an inviting space for all. The work you put in leaves an impact every day, both big and small, and is always appreciated. Thank you for being part of our Library family. We couldn't do it without you!
Want to see more? Check out our Instagram reels for more insights from our teen volunteers: Jack's Chess Club, opens a new window and Rowan's Day in the Life, opens a new window.
Interested in volunteering with the Library? Our current teen positions are listed on our website here.
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