Vernon Area Library connects local teens to volunteer projects

Most years, summer at Vernon Area Public Library in Lincolnshire means the bustle of volunteers in grades 7–12 who assist with the all-ages summer reading program. But this year, with the library building closed for public safety and patrons participating in the “Summer Camp” reading program at home, no in-person volunteers could be used. So librarian and teen volunteer coordinator Diane Presta devised an alternative for community-minded teens: an online program to do good and earn service hours, too.

Presta identified eight organizations around the nation that were seeking the help of young volunteers to make a difference this summer. She worked with colleagues to create a website and tracking system, then emailed past library junior volunteers to get the word out. Between mid June and the end of July, 30 students answered the call, volunteering a total of 960 hours.

The top three volunteer activities were Color a Smile, an organization that collects and sends artwork to encourage senior citizens and U.S. troops serving overseas; By the People, a Library of Congress project to digitize original documents and make them searchable; and the Sidewalk Chalk Project, which asks volunteers to create inspiring messages or drawings on their sidewalks for passersby.

All 30 teen volunteers received service hours for their contributions and will receive certificates of recognition from the library. The library will launch a fall teen virtual volunteer program on September 8 and it will run through December 11. More info at https://guides.vapld.info/teenvolunteers.