Teen Services
Teen Volunteering Opportunities
One of the most delightful aspects of Plainsboro Public Library is the magnificent volunteer support we get from the community. Volunteers contribute to the remarkably cost-effective, innovative service at Plainsboro Public Library. From “reading the shelves,” to helping with community-wide festivals, to manning the technical needs of the vast Interlibrary Loan System, to sorting donations and selling books at the monthly sale, volunteers play MAJOR roles. During 2012, nearly 100 adults and teens donated over 3,700 hours to the Plainsboro Library!
Anyone with questions on teen volunteering is always welcome to email Teen Volunteer Coordinator Joyce at yaplainsborolibrary@gmail.com 🙂
Registration for the 2025-2026 School Year Weekly Volunteering is closed as of 8/24/25. Applications for Summer 2026 Weekly Volunteering will open in June 2026.
In the meantime, please join the volunteer mailing list to receive the latest news on volunteer opportunities at the library: https://mailchi.mp/4884102c7242/teen-volunteer-mailing-list
Shelvers
Applications for 2025-2026 School Year Volunteering are now closed.
Shelvers must be at least going into 9th grade or the equivalent. They will place returned books in their designations, and be assigned a small section of the library to keep organized. They are invaluable in keeping the library shelves in shape! Shelvers will be assigned a 1-hour shift each week.
Applicants will go through an interview with the volunteer coordinator and, if selected, must undergo a training session before they begin their duties. Volunteers are selected based on their experience, schedule and application responses; it is not a first-come first-served system.
Program Volunteers
SUMMER 2024 PROGRAM VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES
(This form will remain available on the website through the summer as long as we have upcoming programs that require volunteers. Positions will be removed as they fill up, and new positions added, so feel free to check back!)
The library has one time or multi-week programs throughout the year. We are always looking for teen and adult volunteers to help out! This is a great option for teens who do not have time to commit to a weekly shift and/or enjoy working with the public.
Please join our volunteer mailing list to be notified of upcoming program volunteer opportunities: Teen Volunteer Mailing List. (Your email address will not be shared with anyone other than the Teen Volunteer Coordinator.)
Goodreads Review Program
Teens can also earn volunteer hours by submitting book reviews to our Goodreads Review Editor for the library’s Goodreads page! Guidelines and a link to the review form may be found HERE.
UPDATE: Teen Advisory Board applications for the 2025-2026 School Year will open at a later date.
Teen Advisory Board
For teens who are really interested in the library and directing the course of what we do here for the teenage population, the library’s Teen Advisory Board currently meets approximately twice a month to discuss what they want to see from the library and how to help make it happen! Not only will participants receive volunteer hours for attending these sessions, the programs and extra work that members of the Board take part in are good opportunities to earn volunteer hours as well.
The Teen Advisory Board opens applications to new members in September, at the beginning of each school year. It is limited to 20 general members and 5 Executive Council members, and any teen wishing to direct a program or event at the library must be a TAB member in good standing.
Volunteer Hour Confirmation
We keep track of all the time that you’ve volunteered at the library, as long as you remember to sign in and out. When you require a letter of confirmation to confirm those hours, please send an email to Joyce at yaplainsborolibrary@gmail.com.
