Teen Councils

About the opportunity

Teen Councils are groups of teens that attend monthly meetings with library staff, collaborate on group projects, and work to benefit their libraries and communities.

What the volunteer does

Volunteers attend regular monthly meetings with library staff and offer recommendations on services, spaces, publications, collection promotion and programs at the library.

Volunteers receive leadership training, learn about Toronto Public Library and encourage other teens to participate in library initiatives. By completing projects together, volunteers gain leadership and communication skills and create benefits for other teens.

Volunteer benefits

• Gain leadership and communication skills
• Make meaningful contributions to the community
• Become informed advocates for Toronto Public Library services
• References and confirmation of Community Service Hours can be provided

Responsibilities

• Attend regular meetings
• Offer ideas to enhance library service to teens
• Collaborate with staff and other volunteers on projects
• Promote Toronto Public Library to other teens

Time and place

• Meetings are twice per month, approximately two to four hours per month
• Meetings take place in-person, at a library branch
• Meeting times vary from branch to branch

Volunteers tell us

Justine

"When I first joined the group I was a little nervous about my first meeting, but all the other volunteers made me feel at home.

The atmosphere is incredibly friendly and I am never shy to share my ideas because I know that I will not be judged.

Everybody really feeds off each other's suggestions, and one good idea leads to another."

Olivia

Olivia volunteers so she can to give a voice to the needs of her fellow teens. She is proud that she has helped to plan teen programs and to update the teen section of the Toronto Public Library website.

Olivia says, "I have seen people volunteer simply to obtain the forty hours that high school graduation demands, but to me, volunteering at TPL is about more than that. I genuinely enjoy my time working alongside people as passionate as I am."

Jesse

Jesse volunteered for his last two years of high school and said, "I loved the monthly discussions and the activities we shared. I loved the staff and the team's willingness to be brave and be kind. I loved all of it."

Fatima

Fatima says that she enjoys being a Teen Council volunteer because it helps her build friendships and develop a greater sense of community.