The library's Summer Reading Challenge (SRC) would really be a challenge for library staff without the help of our Teen Summer Reading Volunteers, an exceptional group of conscientious young people who help SRC run smoothly by volunteering to help at events and to sign patrons up for the SRC program. This year we have over sixty young men and women volunteering. Teen Services Coordinator Jennifer Rifino began the volunteer program in 2006.
“The teen volunteers help in so many ways. Their main task is to assist at the registration desk signing children, teens and adults up for Summer Reading. They also assist with events by taking photos and setting up/breaking down meeting rooms. They help prepare crafts. There is an 'Adopt-the-Shelf' program where they are assigned an area to keep orderly which provides them with ownership of their library. They can participate with 'Book Buddies' where the teens are partnered with a child who reads aloud to them to practice their reading skills. Basically, they assist the Youth Services staff in any way they are needed,” said Rifino.
The volunteers for the 2019 Summer Reading Challenge are Nicholas, Andy, Sophie, Maha, Yumnah, Sabrina, Mason, Emma, Michaela, Ezra, Owen, Colby, Madeline, Jarrod, Dorothy, Aiden, Marcus, Lila, Sophia, Gabriella, Lori, Brook, Jake, Sarah, Isabel M., Rachel, Addison, Emerson, Isabel W., Johnson, Aizlynn, RaVaughn, Nuwan, Clint, Angelina, Caleb, Gabriel, Annalise, Brianna O., Christopher, Marie, Thais, James. Alexis. Georgia, Sophia, Quentin, Brianna K., Olivya, Hannah, JaDore, Amelia, Dominic, Arturo, Lily, Bethany, Alyssa, Natalie, Kimberlie and Kylee.
“I love seeing the teens have an active role in their library and providing them with invaluable first work experience. Knowing that they will benefit, long and short term, from the life and library skills they learn is greatly satisfying to me,” said Rifino. “The teens created the SRC promotional video. They are fantastic! Teen librarians Miss Abby and Miss Charlene also do a fabulous job leading them.”
As the 2019 Summer Reading Challenge progresses and another year is stamped into the history books, we would like to say “Thank you!” for all the volunteers do to help us through the summer. Great job, Teen Summer Reading Volunteers!
