1. From Volunteerto Employee Helping Teens Bridge the Gap Kendra DaveyJennifer Caldwell

2. Background

Teens need experience

Teens need training

We need help

3. Program Objective

To provide teens aged 14-18 an opportunity to develop basic job skills as well as job interview and resume writing experience through volunteering at the public library.

4. Program Description

4 sessions during school year

1 summer session

Sessions are two months long

Volunteers complete a minimum of 12 volunteer hours

Initial training covers basic job skills, customer service skills and library task training

Summer session includes training on assisting with the summer reading program and customer service to young children

Interview skills and resume writing training provided at the end of session

Teens must submit an application and complete a short interview.

Structure Training Experience 5. Structure

2 month long sessions

4 during school year

1 during summer

4 volunteers per school session

20-25 volunteers per summer session

6. Training

Basic job skills

Customer service

Task training

Job interview skills

Resume writing

7. Experience

Customer service skills

Basic job skills practice

Library task training

8. Hiring Volunteers

Application

• Includes session dates & program description

Interview

• Based on page interview

Job description

9. Training Sessions

Basic job skills

Volunteer task training

Summer Reading Program

Job interview skills

Resume writing

10. Basic Job Skills

On time

Reliable

No cell phone or texting during work

Appropriate dress

Library Mission, Vision & Values

Volunteers are the face of the library

11. Customer Service

Customer Service Skills

• Face to face

• Behind the scenes

• Got a SEC?

• Customer service for children

• Customer service for parents

12. Library Task Training

Library orientation

Backroom process

Sorting

Shelving

Shelf Reading

Weeding

Programming

Storytime

13. Job Interview Skills &Resume Writing

Do your research

Know yourself

Build a bridge

Be specific

Appearance

14. Taking it on the Road

Scheduling

Safety and privacy training

Floating/roaming

Page mentoring

15. Outcomes

43 teen volunteers from 2009-present at Dusenberry River Library

1 volunteer hired

Quality of volunteer work has greatly increased

Teens have increased confidence and skills

Building core of teen users at Wheeler Taft Abbett, Sr. Library

16. Bobby From volunteer to employee! 17. Katie From bookworm to ambassador! 18. From Challenge to Success

Abigail

• Was not a promising volunteer, but really her parent needed more managing than she did

Todd

• Taught life skills along with job skills

• Needed extra structure and attention to achieve success

19. Lessons Learned

Giving feedback

• Volunteer evaluation form

Incorporating feedback

• More hands on less lecture!

Managing a growing program

Schedule volunteers appropriately

Keep staff informed

No real need to advertise

• Have brochures or flyers to hand out

20. Program Expansion

Taking it system-wide

• • Training for librarians

• • System-wide training for teen volunteers

Teen Leadership Pilot Program

• • Leadership training

• • Project-based

• • Must complete one volunteer session

21. From Volunteerto Employee Helping Teens Bridge the Gap Kendra Davey[email_address] 594-5345 Jennifer Caldwell [email_address] 594-5200