To be a teen volunteer, please contact your Teen Services staff at teen@nileslibrary.org.
Teen Volunteer Interest Form
If you’re interested in volunteering, click here to fill out the Volunteer Interest Form.
Teen Volunteer Opportunities
Liberation Library
Liberation Library needs bookmarks! Every book they send to youth in prison includes a personalized bookmark. Make bookmarks at home and send them to:
Liberation Library
c/o In These Times
2040 Milwaukee Ave.
Chicago, IL 60647
Bookmarks must not include stickers, tape, or glue. Bookmarks can be made using pens, pencils, crayons, markers, and the like. Email us at teen@nileslibrary.org with pictures of the bookmarks you made and the date you mailed them. Receive 2 hours of volunteer service credit for every 4 bookmarks (maximum 20 bookmarks a month for 10 volunteer hours).
Solidarity Cards for Incarcerated Teens
In collaboration with Circles & Ciphers (@circles_ciphers), write letters of encouragement to incarcerated young people in Cook County Juvenile Detention Center. Email teen@nileslibrary.org to register and receive 2-4 volunteer hours for participating. Check our online calendar for dates.
Social Justice Reading Club
Earn volunteer hours reading and discussing social justice issues. Each month we’ll read a YA fiction book or nonfiction book about a social justice issue separately and then meet online to discuss it together. Check our online calendar for dates.
Safe Space Crafting
Gather to craft inclusive additions to the Teen Underground, a safe space for teens in our community. Earn 2 volunteer hours for participating. Supplies provided. Check our online calendar for dates.
Garden Helpers
Meet up once a month to tend to Samer’s Memorial Garden. Earn 1 volunteer hour for participating. Check our online calendar for dates.
Teen Advisory Board
Gather together in the Teen Underground to help plan programs, create displays, and advocate for teens in the community. Earn service hours while having fun. Check our online calendar for dates.
Little Free Pantry Donation
Help give back to our community by keeping our Little Free Pantry in the Vestibule stocked. Go shopping for non-perishable goods and toiletries and bring in your donations to the Teen Underground to receive two volunteer hours for one plastic grocery bag worth of goods. Please email teen@nileslibrary.org to coordinate your drop off time.
Get Updates on Teen Volunteer Opportunities!
Teens in grade 7-12 who would like to help out with programs or keep the Teen Underground neat ‘n tidy, please fill out this form. Contact Teen Librarians at 847-663-6490 or teen@nileslibrary.org for more information.
