Teen Volunteering at the Library
Before we begin
Eligibility:
Due to a new state law under the Youth Employment Standards Act, volunteer opportunities at the Library are only open to students ages 14-18 with a valid work permit from the state of Michigan.
Required Documents to Volunteer:
All volunteers must submit:
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A completed Volunteer Form
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A valid Michigan work permit
How to Get a Work Permit
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All work permits require authorization from a school issuing officer
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There are specific locations where this must be done depending on the student's situation:
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School main office for regularly enrolled students
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District administration office for homeschooled students
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District central office when school is not in session
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Ages 14-15: Click here to download the work permit form
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Ages 16-17: Click here to download the work permit form
How to Submit Your Documents
You can submit your completed documents in three ways:
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Email: Send completed forms to askgadml@gmail.com
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In Person: Bring forms to the Library's circulation desk
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Print & Bring Later: Print the forms at home and bring them with you on your first volunteer day
All in-person volunteers must also have a Volunteer Form on file and a work permit. Please fill one out and email it to us or print it and bring it with you the first time you come to volunteer.
Anyone over the age of 18 who is interested in volunteering should visit the Friends of the Library page for more information.
Summer Opportunity
VolunTeen Program
Some of what volunteers do includes:
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Running the Summer Reading Program prize desk
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Assisting with children’s programs
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Serving as movie ushers
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Assisting Youth Services staff as needed
Orientation Info
Orientation sessions are mandatory each summer you choose to volunteer.
Registration is required. There will be sessions offered in mid-May, but you only need to attend one of those sessions. Registration opens each year during the first week of May.
*Click here to visit the Library Calendar for dates and registration for Summer 2025.
Why you should join
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The VolunTeen program is the best way to earn multiple hours at once. Prize desk shifts are generally about 3 hours long and most teens have more time to volunteer in the summer because of fewer school and sports commitments.
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Summer volunteers also establish good work habits in a low-pressure environment.
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The VolunTeen program looks great on resumes and college applications.
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If you volunteer for at least 10 hours over the course of the summer, our teen librarian will be happy to write you a recommendation letter for college or scholarship applications.
Ongoing opportunities
Sanitizing Toys
1 HOUR COMMITMENT
To help the Library with sanitizing toys or wiping down picture books email the library to let us know what day and time you’d like to come in.
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All in-person volunteers must have a Volunteer Form on file. Please fill one out and email it, or print it and bring it with you the first time you come to volunteer.
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Make sure to bring headphones so you can listen to music or an audiobook while you’re working.
Creating Book Lists
3 HOUR COMMITMENT
Help us out with book suggestions in the Teen Room by creating a YA book list! Book lists must follow one of the following themes or you may suggest your own (with approval):
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February: Black History Month
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March: Women’s History Month
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April: Autism Awareness Month
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April: National Poetry Month
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May: Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
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May: Jewish American Heritage Month
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May: Mental Health Awareness Month
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June: LGBT Pride Month
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July: Disability Pride Month
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September: Hispanic Heritage Month
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October: National Arts & Humanities Month
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November: Native American Indian/Alaska Native Heritage Month
Additional details
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All books added to book lists must be a YA book currently owned by GADML. You can check for books we own by searching for them in the catalog. Make sure it says “YA FIC” under the Label column.
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Book lists must fit on one 8.5x11 sheet of paper (front and back) with a minimum of 10 books listed. You must include a short (1-2 sentence) summary of each book. Feel free to get creative with the design and layout but keep in mind that all book lists will be printed in black and white.
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You may choose to include your name and school on the book list or not. It is completely your choice.
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Book lists must be emailed to the library before the start of the month the book list is for. Each teen may submit up to one book list per month.
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Note that a Librarian may provide changes that must be made before printing. You may not log your hours until your book list has been approved.