Archives for teen volunteers

Teen Volunteer Opportunities – Summer 2024

Teen Volunteer Opportunities – Summer 2024

We know teens need community service hours, and we’re happy to provide a few different options. Below you’ll find a list of all the current ways to contribute to the library community and earn volunteer credit through the White Plains Public Library. If you have any questions, please contact YA librarian Kathlyn Carroll at kcarroll@whiteplainslibrary.org. General Opportunities: Do Gooders See calendar for dates Edge Media Lab Teens in grades 7-12 can earn community service hours by attending Do Gooders meetings. We'll work on projects to benefit local organizations and discuss plans for future volunteer efforts. During the summer, we'll have
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May 15, 2024 8:55 am | by | 6 Comments
Categories: Events, Featured, Homepage Teens, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: teen volunteers, teens, The Edge, and volunteer opportunities.

Teen Volunteering: Summer 2022

Teen Volunteering: Summer 2022

This summer we’re offering a few new opportunities for teens to earn community service credit. We’ll continue to take submissions of original book reviews for books in our YA collection. We’re also partnering with Meals on Wheels to collect a variety of cheerful handmade items to be distributed along with meals. This summer we’re looking for teen volunteers to make greeting cards, placemats, paper flowers, or bookmarks for Meals on Wheels. We’ll provide kits with paper and craft materials on a first-come, first-served basis; you’ll provide scissors, glue, creativity, and any other art supplies you want to use. You are
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April 19, 2022 9:15 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Featured, Homepage Teens, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: teen volunteers, teens, and volunteer opportunities.

Grab & Go Craft Kits: Learn to Knit

Grab & Go Craft Kits: Learn to Knit

Teens in grades 7-12 can pick up a kit with project supplies at the Library, then follow along with the video below to make the project. Or, you can find the materials around your home and follow the video to make the project. Kits are first come, first served, and will become available on Monday, October 18th in the Library lobby. This month's kit contains everything you need to learn to knit. The kit contains knitting needles and yarn. The goal with this kit is to complete the garter stitch square swatch. I’ve already done the cast-on and the first
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October 18, 2021 9:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Featured, Homepage Teens, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: crafting, crafts, Grab & Go kits, Grab&Go Kits, knitting, and teen volunteers.

Teen Volunteering: Fall 2021

Teen Volunteering: Fall 2021

We’ve had such a wonderful response to our current initiative for teen volunteers, writing original book reviews for books in our YA collection. However, we know teens are really looking for more volunteering opportunities, so I have a few upcoming projects for teens to earn some community service credit. These are pilot programs with a low beginning capacity as we test them out, but we hope to be able to offer more hours over time. Knitting for a Cause We’re working toward a goal of knitting handmade accessories to donate to Knit the Rainbow, an organization that donates warm clothing
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October 4, 2021 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Featured, Homepage Teens, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: community service, knitting, teen volunteers, volunteer opportunities, and volunteering.

Teen Book Review: To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before

Teen Book Review: To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before

Title: To All the Boys I've Loved Before Author: Jenny Han Publisher: Simon and Schuster Library Catalog / Hoopla / OverDrive & Libby You've probably heard of the movie To All the Boys I've Loved Before, but little do most know it is based on the book by Jenny Han. In this page-turning book, the protagonist Lara Jean suffers the consequences when her younger sister sends off her most private possessions. Lara Jean wrote letters to every boy she'd ever loved describing intimate details and things she never wanted them to actually know. So, when one of the boys reaches
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September 27, 2021 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: book review, books, for teens by teens, Jenny Han, reading, teen book review, and teen volunteers.

Teen Book Review: The Martian Chronicles

Teen Book Review: The Martian Chronicles

Title: The Martian Chronicles Author: Ray Bradbury Publisher: Harper Collins Library Catalog / Hoopla / OverDrive & Libby The first book to interest me in the science fiction genre, and a compelling read, The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury is set in a fictional world where humans colonize Mars. The book is a collection of several short interconnected short stories, with time jumps between each. Starting with perspective of the first mission of humans to reach Mars, and ending with the last few people left on Mars, this story is full of masterful twists, leaving you question what is real,
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September 20, 2021 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: book review, books, for teens by teens, Ray Bradbury, reading, teen book review, and teen volunteers.

Teen Book Review: A Very Large Expanse of Sea

Teen Book Review: A Very Large Expanse of Sea

Title: A Very Large Expanse of Sea Author: Tahereh Mafi Publisher: Harper Collins Library Catalog / Hoopla / OverDrive & Libby The romance novel A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi is about a high school sophomore named Shirin who‘s had a tough life growing up dealing with bullying. Shirin’s tired and annoyed of people stereotyping her; based on her religion, what she wears, and who she is. Since Shirin is used to receiving so much disrespect and physical violence, she builds up a strong personality. A strong personality where if someone makes a joke about her, she’ll
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September 13, 2021 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Teens, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: book review, books, for teens by teens, reading, Tahereh Mafi, teen book review, and teen volunteers.

Teen Book Review: Prisoner B-3087

Teen Book Review: Prisoner B-3087

Title: Prisoner B-3087 Author: Alan Gratz Publisher: Scholastic Library Catalog / Hoopla / OverDrive & Libby Alan Gratz's Prisoner B-3087 takes place in Poland during World War II when the Nazis invade. It's about a Jewish boy named Yanek who must struggle and survive while still grasping onto humanity and hope. Yanek faces many situations that are life-threatening, but it only makes him stronger and aware towards one goal; to survive. The novel is based on the true story of Jack Gruener, who survived the Holocaust. I highly recommend this book to someone who is interested in learning about history
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September 6, 2021 10:00 am | by | 1 Comment
Categories: Authors & Books, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: Alan Gratz, book review, books, for teens by teens, reading, teen book review, and teen volunteers.

Teen Book Review: Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie

Teen Book Review: Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie

Title: Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie Author: Jordan Sonnenblick Publisher: Scholastic Library Catalog / OverDrive & Libby Jordan Sonnenblick’s realistic fiction novel Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie is about a thirteen year old boy named Steven and his five year old little brother Jeffrey. Jeffrey’s diagnosed with leukemia and Steven wants to keep that silent because he also needs to focus on school, tries to catch up with his extra activities, and has a crush on someone. While Jeffrey is not well, Steven can’t pay attention to his studies because he’s worried of his brother and doesn’t want anything worse
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August 30, 2021 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Teens, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: book review, books, for teens by teens, Jordan Sonnenblick, reading, teen book review, and teen volunteers.

Teen Book Review: Kindred

Teen Book Review: Kindred

Title: Kindred Author: Octavia Butler Publisher: Beacon Press Library Catalog / Hoopla / OverDrive & Libby In the book Kindred, Dana, an African American woman, is transported back in time to Maryland before the Civil War to save Rufus, a young white boy. In a series of journeys that defy time, Dana faces many life-threatening scenarios. This book is an excellent read for fans of history and suspense as Dana consistently puts her life on the line to help others. This book also contains mild violence to demonstrate the inhumane treatment of slaves during this period. Overall, this book is
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August 23, 2021 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Teens, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: book review, books, for teens by teens, Octavia Butler, reading, teen book review, and teen volunteers.

Teen Book Review: Want

Teen Book Review: Want

Title: Want Author: Cindy Pon Publisher: Simon and Schuster Library Catalog The novel Want takes place in a futuristic dystopian society where the rich are shielded from pollution while the poor suffer. The protagonist, Jason Zhou, is determined to change this by teaming up with his friends to infiltrate and destroy the corporation responsible for the pollution. Intertwining action, love, loss, and suspense, this book is an excellent read. Additionally, many comparisons can be drawn from this book to the current state of the world. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to teens who want to be engrossed in a fast-paced
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August 16, 2021 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Teens, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: book review, books, Cindy Pon, for teens by teens, reading, teen book review, and teen volunteers.

Teen Book Review: With the Fire on High

Teen Book Review: With the Fire on High

Title: With the Fire on High Author: Elizabeth Acevedo Publisher: Quill Tree Books Library Catalog / Hoopla / OverDrive & Libby With the Fire on High is an empowering story of teen mom Emoni Santiago. She faces struggles unlike those of her peers but she finds comfort in cooking, which is her passion and gift. Emoni's dreams to graduate and one day become a chef seem impossible when having to juggle the daily struggles of being a teen mother. With help from her grandmother, her best friend Angelica, Malachi, a recent transfer student, her baby Emma, and cooking, Emoni finds
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August 9, 2021 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Teens, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: book review, books, Elizabeth Acevedo, for teens by teens, reading, teen book review, and teen volunteers.

Teen Book Review: American Panda

Teen Book Review: American Panda

Title: American Panda Author: Gloria Chao Publisher: Simon and Schuster Library Catalog / OverDrive & Libby Gloria Chao’s romance novel American Panda is about a seventeen year old girl named Mei Lu who is leading up to her parents expectations in life. Mei Lu goes to college even though she should be in high school but, she skipped fourth grade. Mei’s parents already had their plan set for her and it was to become a doctor, marry someone who’s Taiwanese and produce babies. The problem was that Mei dislikes germs, falls asleep in her classes, and likes a guy who
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August 2, 2021 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: book review, books, for teens by teens, reading, teen book review, and teen volunteers.

Teen Book Review: Follow Your Arrow

Teen Book Review: Follow Your Arrow

Title: Follow Your Arrow Author: Jessica Verdi Publisher: Scholastic Library Catalog / OverDrive & Libby A girl named Cece Ross is a social media influencer. Things are great until she and her girlfriend break-up. Soon after she meets a boy who isn’t on social media at all and keeps her internet fame a secret. But social media catches up quickly and now Cece faces a scandal. I really enjoyed this book, it was quick and easy and deals with topics like identity, the LGBTQ+ community and social media. I definitely recommend this book as we see Cece grow to put
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July 26, 2021 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: book review, books, for teens by teens, Jessica Verdi, reading, teen book review, and teen volunteers.

Teen Volunteering Opportunities

Teen Volunteering Opportunities

Almost everything about the 2020-21 school year is different, and that includes earning community service hours. With library services restricted by safety concerns, we’re offering community service credit to teens who review YA books for our website. This month, I’d also like to highlight a few volunteer opportunities from Volunteer New York! that would be great for teens. I’m focusing on opportunities that can be done virtually, contact-free, or outdoors, and ideally with minimal supplies. Follow the link to the Volunteer New York! post for each opportunity to make sure you get all the relevant information. Thank You Cards for
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November 30, 2020 12:56 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Featured, Homepage Teens, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: staff picks, teen volunteers, teens, and Volunteer! New York.

Virtual Teen Volunteering

Virtual Teen Volunteering

Almost everything about the 2020-21 school year is different, and that includes earning community service hours. Usually around this time the fall sessions of the Do Gooders, the Library’s teen community service group, would be well underway. With library services restricted by safety concerns, we’re offering a different opportunity for teens to earn volunteer hours directly through us. We’re collecting book reviews written by teens, to be featured on our website. Teens can submit a book review by filling out this online form; each review is worth one hour, with a cap of 8 hours per person per month. I’d
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October 9, 2020 4:35 pm | by | 2 Comments
Categories: Featured, Homepage Teens, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: Do Gooders, teen book review, teen volunteers, and The Edge.

Fall Do Gooders Schedule

Fall Do Gooders Schedule

Thanks to everyone who volunteered at the Library this summer! Overall, 80 volunteers completed 661 hours of community service in the Trove and the Edge in July and August. Our Do Gooders group made 55 dog toys for the Paws Crossed Animal Rescue center in Elmsford, 15 baby blankets for Project Linus, 128 paracord bracelets for military charity Operation Gratitude, four ziploc bags full of earrings for a women’s shelter, and countless birthday cards and placemats for Meals on Wheels. Thank you to the Allstate Foundation for the continued support of our various volunteer programs for teens. We can't wait
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August 30, 2019 2:14 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Director's Corner, eNewsletter, Events, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: Do Gooders and teen volunteers.

Do Gooders Summer Registration

Do Gooders Summer Registration

This post has expired. Check back next June for information on our Summer 2020 volunteer opportunities or visit our post on fall 2019 volunteer opportunities. It’s time to make plans for this summer. When it comes to volunteering at the library, the Do Gooders community service group will be working on a variety of different projects. Do Gooders Teens in grades 7-12 can earn community service hours on Tuesdays from 3-5 pm, from July 9 through August 13 in the Edge Media Lab. Each week we'll work on a different project to benefit a local organization. Registration recommended; space is
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May 30, 2019 10:00 am | by | 14 Comments
Categories: Library News.
Tags: community service, teen volunteers, volunteer, volunteer opportunities, and volunteering.