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Volunteer With Us!
Give back to your community, help foster literacy and make great friends! Become a VolunTeen!
The Allen Public Library welcomes the help of VolunTeens with a variety of volunteer opportunities for students ages 13 to 18. VolunTeens are selected twice a year: in May for summer positions and in August for school year positions. All new VolunTeens are required to attend an orientation session.
Applications for the 2019 - 2020 school year are now closed. Thank you for your interest.
Due to the number of applicants, we cannot accept every teen who applies. Candidates will be considered based on prior experience, qualifications and compatibility with Library schedule and needs.
All VolunTeens are expected to adhere to the VolunTeen Code of Conduct and Discipline Policy. Please make sure to read this document.
Important Upcoming Dates:
School Year 2019 - 2020 Application: Monday, August 5 at 10 a.m. until Monday, August 12 at 11:59 p.m.
Orientation for School Year 2019 - 2020: Saturday, August 24 from 10:30 - 11:15 a.m. or Tuesday, August 27 from 6:30 - 7:15 p.m.
Please see the tabs below for frequently asked questions and additional volunteer opportunities with other community organizations.
Q: How old do I have to be to be a VolunTeen?
A: School Year 2019 - 2020 VolunTeens must be 13 by September 1, 2019 and no older than 18. Summer 2020 VolunTeens must be 13 by June 1, 2020 and no older than 18.
Q: What do VolunTeens do?
A: Story Time Aides assist librarians during weekly story times – some duties include using puppets, prepping for crafts and mirroring the librarian to help children follow along. Special Event VolunTeens provide assistance during Library programs. For a list of our Special Events, please see the calendar on our website. During the summer, all VolunTeens are also expected to work a weekly, 2-hour Summer Reading Club desk shift throughout the summer.
Q: Where can I get an application?
Our applications are online only. VolunTeens are selected twice a year: in May for summer positions and in August for school year positions. Please see the Important Upcoming Dates above for more information.
Q: I am not comfortable working with children. Do you have any other positions available that do not require working with children?
A: At this time, all VolunTeen positions require working with children, tweens, teens and adults.
Q: I have applied before and didn’t get a position. Should I apply again?
A: Yes. We have a limited number of positions. Please keep applying each session and make sure to write in your application that you have applied before.
Q: How do I improve my chances of getting a position?
A: Please fill out your application completely, giving us as much information about your interests and skills as possible. Be extremely clear about your schedule, to the best of your knowledge. Letting us know more about you helps us to place you in an appropriate volunteer position.
Q: I’m not really outgoing. Can I still be a VolunTeen?
A: Working with the public is a learned skill. If you are willing to learn, we want to help you and we will help you become a great VolunTeen!
Q: I've just graduated high school but am still 18. Am I eligible to volunteer in the summer?
A: Unfortunately, after you have graduated high school, no matter your age, you are no longer eligible to be a VolunTeen. While we love our seniors, we must eventually bring in and train a new group of teens. Come back to participate in library programming or to say hi and let us know about your post-high school plans!
Q: Is working as a summer VolunTeen different then working as a school year VolunTeen?
A: Yes! During the school year, things are a little more relaxed. Most teens are involved in helping us with events and programs only. During the summer the Library is extremely busy with Summer Reading Club. All VolunTeens are expected to work a weekly 2-hour shift at the Summer Reading Club desk as well as help out with events and programs. We have extremely high demands and expectations for summer VolunTeens and prefer a somewhat flexible schedule.
A: School Year 2019 - 2020 VolunTeens must be 13 by September 1, 2019 and no older than 18. Summer 2020 VolunTeens must be 13 by June 1, 2020 and no older than 18.
Q: What do VolunTeens do?
A: Story Time Aides assist librarians during weekly story times – some duties include using puppets, prepping for crafts and mirroring the librarian to help children follow along. Special Event VolunTeens provide assistance during Library programs. For a list of our Special Events, please see the calendar on our website. During the summer, all VolunTeens are also expected to work a weekly, 2-hour Summer Reading Club desk shift throughout the summer.
Q: Where can I get an application?
Our applications are online only. VolunTeens are selected twice a year: in May for summer positions and in August for school year positions. Please see the Important Upcoming Dates above for more information.
Q: I am not comfortable working with children. Do you have any other positions available that do not require working with children?
A: At this time, all VolunTeen positions require working with children, tweens, teens and adults.
Q: I have applied before and didn’t get a position. Should I apply again?
A: Yes. We have a limited number of positions. Please keep applying each session and make sure to write in your application that you have applied before.
Q: How do I improve my chances of getting a position?
A: Please fill out your application completely, giving us as much information about your interests and skills as possible. Be extremely clear about your schedule, to the best of your knowledge. Letting us know more about you helps us to place you in an appropriate volunteer position.
Q: I’m not really outgoing. Can I still be a VolunTeen?
A: Working with the public is a learned skill. If you are willing to learn, we want to help you and we will help you become a great VolunTeen!
Q: I've just graduated high school but am still 18. Am I eligible to volunteer in the summer?
A: Unfortunately, after you have graduated high school, no matter your age, you are no longer eligible to be a VolunTeen. While we love our seniors, we must eventually bring in and train a new group of teens. Come back to participate in library programming or to say hi and let us know about your post-high school plans!
Q: Is working as a summer VolunTeen different then working as a school year VolunTeen?
A: Yes! During the school year, things are a little more relaxed. Most teens are involved in helping us with events and programs only. During the summer the Library is extremely busy with Summer Reading Club. All VolunTeens are expected to work a weekly 2-hour shift at the Summer Reading Club desk as well as help out with events and programs. We have extremely high demands and expectations for summer VolunTeens and prefer a somewhat flexible schedule.
The Allen Public Library is not affiliated with the organizations below. Please direct any questions about these programs to the appropriate staff person at each organization.
Keep Allen Beautiful
Keep Allen Beautiful is an organization dedicated to developing and fostering programs which help make Allen a cleaner, healthier and more attractive city.
Call 214-509-4555
Allen Community Outreach
Allen Community Outreach helps transform lives by providing essential human and social services in our communities.
Call 972-727-9131
Allen Arts Alliance
As the umbrella organization for all of the arts in our community, The Allen Arts Alliance promotes, nurtures and celebrates the arts in our community through interactive participation with our schools, civic organizations, businesses and citizens.
Call 972-727-7272
Mustang Creek Estates
Keep Allen Beautiful
Keep Allen Beautiful is an organization dedicated to developing and fostering programs which help make Allen a cleaner, healthier and more attractive city.
Call 214-509-4555
Allen Community Outreach
Allen Community Outreach helps transform lives by providing essential human and social services in our communities.
Call 972-727-9131
Allen Arts Alliance
As the umbrella organization for all of the arts in our community, The Allen Arts Alliance promotes, nurtures and celebrates the arts in our community through interactive participation with our schools, civic organizations, businesses and citizens.
Call 972-727-7272
Mustang Creek Estates
Mustang Creek Estates is an assisted living facility for seniors located in Allen. The facility has many activities that could benefit from volunteers. Call 972-359-0200 and ask for the activities director.
Trusted World
With your support, Trusted World will continue to provide Allen non-profits with the resources they need to ensure their client receives the necessary clothing, food or personal care items promptly.
Sign up on their website
Looking for more volunteer opportunities?
Try these organizations.
If you have any questions, please contact us by email at volunteens@cityofallen.org.