Teen Volunteers
I'm a teen and I want to volunteer!
Welcome! You're in the right place. The Moorpark City Library provides many opportunities for teens ages 12-19 who are interested in volunteering.
I need to complete volunteer service hours for school. Can I earn those here?
Absolutely. The opportunities available here all count for school credit and can be included on your college applications or resume. However, volunteering is a privilege and the work here does not count as community service for parole or for school punishments.
How do I start?
Your first step is to complete a Volunteer Application form (with a parent or guardian's signature if you are under 18) and attend a Volunteer Training session. Training sessions are held twice a month. At them, you will meet the Teen Librarian, learn about all of the available volunteer opportunities and decide what kind of work you want to do, go over the volunteer Code of Conduct and Dress Code, turn in your forms, ask any questions you have, and schedule your first volunteer work.
Plus, attending a Volunteer Training session counts as one hour of volunteer credit!
Upcoming Volunteer Training days:
Saturdays at 2:00 PM
April 4
May 1
Wednesdays at 4:00 PM
March 18
April 15
May 20
But I need volunteer hours RIGHT NOW!
You can submit a book review to the Library website for half an hour of credit per well-written and approved review (see below). For everything else, you need to attend a Volunteer Training session first.
So, what kind of volunteer work can I do?
Keep reading to see some of the options and their requirements!
Teen Advisory Group
The Teen Advisory Group (TAG) is for teen volunteers who want to have a hand in shaping the library. Members of TAG do work behind the scenes, contribute their own ideas to larger library events, and can create their own library programs by working with the Teen Services Librarian. TAG members develop leadership skills, gain valuable experience for job and college applications, meet new friends, and make a difference in their community.
Age: Grades 7-12
Requirements: Complete a general Volunteer Application, attend Volunteer Training, and complete a TAG Application
When: After hours, 5 - 6:30 PM, on the second Friday of every month
Attending Teen Programs
Most teen programs listed on the Library calendar have optional "extra credit" activities that can turn regular attendance into volunteer credit.
- Helping to set up, clean up, prepare supplies, or assist younger children at events
- Donating items made at the Knot & Hook crochet club or Crafty Teens to the hospital or senior homes
- Being a Game Master for D&D or Pathfinder Society
- Other work depending on the program
Age: Grades 6-12
Requirements: Complete a Volunteer Application, attend Volunteer Training, and ask the Teen Librarian about extra credit opportunities for the program you are interested in.
Time: Check our website, calendar, and social media for events that interest you!
Golden Grades Tutoring
Exemplary teens in high school with a GPA of at least 3.0 may apply to be a Golden Grades Tutor. Golden Grades Tutors assist K - 8th grade students with their homework and reading skills and may assist peers with study groups.
In order to ensure that tutors are available, Golden Grades Tutors must commit to tutoring weekly for the full semester and follow the attendance policy outlined in the Golden Grades Volunteer Application.
Age: Must be a current high school student with at least a 3.0 GPA
Requirements: Complete a Volunteer Application, a Golden Grades Volunteer Application, provide proof of GPA to the Teen Librarian, and attend Volunteer Training.
Time: Tuesdays OR Thursdays, 4 - 6 PM.
Golden Grades Tutoring generally follows the Moorpark Unified School District Calendar. Tutoring sessions will not take place on Moorpark USD holidays or summer break.
Shelving and Organizing
These volunteers help keep the Library tidy with tasks like scanning the shelves for out-of-place books, creating book displays, cleaning the children’s toys, or preparing materials for upcoming craft projects.
Age: Grades 7-12
Requirements: Complete a Volunteer Application, attend Volunteer Training, and pass the Shelf Reading Quiz during the Volunteer Training.
Time: Email the teen librarian to arrange a time to volunteer.
Event Volunteers
The City of Moorpark holds special events throughout the year, both at the library and offsite. The content of these events can be very different, and we may call on volunteers for tasks like walking in the city parade, creating origami decorations, helping small children with crafts, managing an outdoor holiday booth, and more.
Interested teens can join the pool of volunteers that the Library calls on for these events. When one occurs, you will receive an email describing the event and asking for volunteers. You must reply to this email to reserve your volunteer spot, which fill up on a first-come, first-served basis.
Age: Grades 6-12
Requirements: Complete a Volunteer Application, attend Volunteer Training, and RSVP for each event.
Time: Event volunteers will be notified of event details via email.
Teen Book Recommendations
Teens in grades 6-12 can write recommendations to help others find great books to read. Recommendations are anonymous and will be posted on our website. Each well-written book recommendation that is approved and posted by the Librarian is worth half an hour of volunteer service.
Age: Grades 6-12
Requirements:
You must have read the book you recommended within the past 6 months.
The book must have a target audience of 6th grade or above (no baby books).
Your recommendation must be written with clear grammar and spelling.
Your recommendation must be approved by the Library staff to receive service credit.
Click here to fill out a recommendation form. Recommendations may be edited for clarity.
Other Opportunities
Would you like to help the Library in other ways? Do you have a unique skill you want to offer? The Library is often looking for volunteers to help with miscellaneous upcoming programs. Once you have completed a Volunteer Application, email your Teen Librarian to volunteer your unique skills. Past examples include:
- Being a Game Master for tabletop roleplaying games, such as Dungeons & Dragons
- Helping to teach beginner chess
- Running a Rubik's Cube Club
- Creating hand-drawn flyers to hand out around school
- Teaching basic American Sign Language to children
- Designing and running an escape room at the Library
Check back for updates on additional volunteer opportunities! For questions or more information, contact Emma Schaefer, Teen Librarian, at 805-517-6380 or eschaefer@moorparklibrary.org.
Disclaimer:
Please note that photos may be taken by Library staff during your volunteer work. These images may be used for promotional or educational purposes—including in print materials, social media posts, and presentations.