Teen Volunteers Information
Hastings Branch Library
The Hastings Branch Library is looking for reliable teens ages 13-18 to act as Homework Help volunteers. Homework Help volunteer shifts are available Monday-Thursday between the hours of 4:00 and 6:00 PM. Volunteers will assist kids in grades K-5 with language arts, reading, and math. Must be dependable and patient with young children. We ask that volunteers be able to commit to at least one weekly shift for twelve weeks. Please submit an application and await a response from library staff.
La Pintoresca Branch Library
For ages 12-17. Homework Helper--enjoys working with children, ability to help kids in grades K-5 with math, language arts, and reading reliable and patient shifts are Monday-Friday from 2:30-5:30 ~ schedule negotiable with volunteer supervisor.
Please submit an application and await a response from library staff.
Please submit an application and await a response from library staff.
If you would like to volunteer, please submit an application
General Information
The Pasadena Public Library accepts volunteers ages 13-17.
Online Teen Volunteer Application
Review our locations and hours
Covid-19:
Due to Covid-19 while our library buildings are closed, only Central Library is currently accepting applications for virtual volunteering and to be added to the general volunteer pool for future opportunities.
Central Library:
We accept applications year-round, but can't tell you what is currently "available" since there are so many different roles and fluctuating needs. Volunteer for as much or as little as you’d like. The volunteer pool is the first to be notified of volunteer opportunities. Apply as a general volunteer for Central Library and get added to the volunteer pool list. Apply online. If you are unable to apply online, please pick up a paper application in the library. Please note: It may take up to three weeks to receive a reply regarding your application.
Allendale Branch: Not currently accepting teen volunteers.
Hastings Branch: Accepting applicants for Homework Helpers and general help. Apply online.
Hill Avenue Branch: Not currently accepting teen volunteers.
Lamanda Park Branch: Not currently accepting teen volunteers.
La Pintoresca Branch: Accepting applicants for LEGO Club, Homework Helpers and general help. Apply online.
Linda Vista Branch: Not currently accepting teen volunteers.
San Rafael Branch: Not currently accepting teen volunteers.
Santa Catalina Branch: Not currently accepting teen volunteers.
Villa Parke Branch: Not currently accepting teen volunteers.
General Volunteer Pool at Central
General volunteers help around the library, at events, prepping for programs, special projects, clerical stuff, artwork, writing, and a variety of other tasks.
- Who: Ages 13-17. Everyone who applies as a teen volunteer--regardless of role, is added to this list. This is a catch-all role.
- When: As needed. Volunteer as little or as much as you’d like based on the schedule. Times and days vary.
- How: Submit a teen volunteer application for Central Library. You will be contacted within 3 weeks with more instructions.
- Photos of some of the volunteers’ work can be viewed at http://pasadena-library.net/teens/volunteers/
Book Reviewers
For teen volunteers who love to read and have good writing skills. Earn 2 hours for each approved review. Reviews will be credited with the reviewers’ full name and grade. They will be published in our Teen Zine and on our Teens Blog. Review guidelines and how to get started at: http://pasadena-library.net/teens/book-reviewers/
Write book reviews to be published on our Teens Blog and Teen Zine.
- Must have good writing skills.
- Book pickups are at Central Library, but work is done virtually. You will earn 2 hours per approved review.
- Apply using the teen volunteer application for Central Library. Then send a sample review to Jane Gov at jgov@cityofpasadena.net using the guidelines listed on the Book Reviewers page.
Homework Helpers
Help kids with homework at Central Library, Hastings Branch Library, or La Pintoresca Branch Library. Apply to each branch separately.
Central Library requirements: (1) Ages 15-17, (2) commit to at least one weekly shift for twelve weeks, (3) ability to help kids in grades K-8, (4) very reliable and good with kids, (5) shifts are Tuesday &/or Thursday from 4-6pm.
Hastings Branch requirements: (1) Ages 15-18, (2) commit to at least one weekly shift for twelve weeks, (3) ability to help kids in grades K-5, (4) reliable and good with kids, (5) shifts are Monday and/or Wednesday from 3:30-5:30.
La Pintoresca Branch requirements: (1) Ages 12-17 years of age, (2) enjoys working with children, (3) ability to help kids in grades K-5 with math, language arts, and reading, (4) reliable and patient, (5) shifts are Monday-Friday from 2:30-5:30 ~ schedule negotiable with volunteer supervisor.
Teen Advisory Board
TAB advocates, pilots, advises, and plans events.
- The team is mostly known for planning, hosting, and participating in the annual Teen Murder Mystery, monthly Youth Network, Teen Mental Health Initiative, Summer Reading
- Required: Year-round commitment, 1 official meeting per month (on a Sat. 4pm) + additional meetings or project shifts based on schedule + virtual work (about 4 hours total per month)
- How to join: apply using General volunteer application for Central Library. First, read the information in the Teen Advisory Board page.
Work on the Teen Zine. (1) Write articles like interviews or event recaps; or (2) Graphic design
- Required: (1) writers must be good writers and have the ability to attend events to write about them or conduct interviews with other teens online. (2) Graphic designers must have good design skills and work well on Google Docs or MS Publisher. Must be very responsive to email communications.
- Articles are written year-round. Designs are done in bursts about once a year. Sometimes, there isn’t any work to be done for months, and other times, several shifts/work will be done in bulk.
- Apply using the general volunteer application for Central Library and wait to see when an opportunity arises (it’ll get posted in the volunteer email list).
- View past issues of the Teen Zine
LEGO® Club
La Pintoresca Branch Library is seeking volunteers to help with kids LEGO® Club.
Requirements:
- Ages 14 -17
- Must have experience with LEGOs®
- Enjoys working with children
- Schedule is flexible during summer to prepare LEGOs®
- Will need to be available one Monday per month
For more information, please call La Pintoresca Branch at (626) 744-7268.
Apply online using the general volunteer application for La Pintoresca Branch Library.
Teens' Blog
- Milo and Marcos at the End of the World – Teen Book Review
Reviewed by Samuel Redfearn, age 16 Milo and Marcos at the End of the World by Kevin Cristopher Snipes Milo Connelly already had a tendency to overthink before the world started collapsing around him, but ever since Marcos reappeared in his life, it appears as though God Himself has intervened
- Twin Crowns — Teen Book Review
Reviewed by Hailey Chen, age 14 Twin Crowns by Catherine Doyle and Katherine Webber Wren Greenrock is in disguise. She has trained her entire life for the sole purpose of stealing back the throne from her twin sister, who doesn’t even know she exists, to finally give both witches and
- Private Label — Teen Book Review
Reviewed by Jasmine Sov, age 16 Private Label by Kelly Yang Serene Li longs to design her own couture dresses, but she’s stuck working as an intern for her mom’s fashion brand. After her mother is diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, Serene’s jolted into leadership of the company, where she faces
- Sense and Second-Degree Murder — Teen Book Review
Reviewed by Samuel Redfearn, age 16 Sense and Second Degree Murder by Tirzah Price The Dashwood sisters each harbor somewhat peculiar interests. Elinor, the eldest, enjoys chemistry; Marianne, slightly younger than Elinor, works alongside her father in his detective business; and Margaret, the youngest, is a budding novelist at only
- The Place is Still Beautiful — Teen Book Review
Reviewed by Giselle Carlos, age 17 This Place is Still Beautiful by Xixi Tian Annalie and Margaret Flannagen have conflicting feelings toward their childhood home. Seventeen-year-old Annalie savors the Midwest—the small-town closeness of it all—while Margaret feels suffocated and claustrophobic. When Margaret moves to college at NYU, Annalie breathes a