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Getting Started

The early stages of developing a teen community service program includes:

• Determining objectives;
• Choosing a model of community service;
• Getting support from library staff;
• Getting support from your local community;
• Designing the program.

It is important that the early stages of the program are planned and carried out carefully. Successful teen volunteer programs will be developed around a model of community service that is suitable for your library, and will be strongly supported by library staff, and the library community. In this section we discuss each stage separately. However, you will find that these stages do not take place consecutively, but occur simultaneously.

You should plan to be ready to implement your program at the beginning of the school year when teens are looking for community service opportunities.

Implementing a successful teen volunteer program that is fulfilling for the teen and the library will require a significant amount of time and organization. However, if you can take time to develop a strong infrastructure, the program will be rewarding for all participants, and additionally, as the program progresses, it will take less and less time to maintain.

 

Revised 03/07