group of teens with a painted bench

Future Ready Teens

Get Involved

group of teen volunteers at the library

Teens Leading Change

Ages 14-19. When you join your local library’s Teen Council, you’ll have the opportunity to develop and participate in a civic action project and implement positive change in your community. Projects form in September, but you can join anytime. Benefits of participating:

  • Receive volunteer credit & community service hours
  • Learn valuable leadership skills
  • Gain knowledge about the library, local government, and democracy in action
  • Make new friends and have fun!
group of teens holding a giant library card

Teen Council

Ages 11-19. By joining your library’s Teen Council, you will gain valuable 21st-century skills such as leadership, critical thinking, collaboration and civic engagement. Work with your Young Adult Librarian and your peers to:

  • Suggest purchases for the library
  • Plan library programs
  • Implement a Teens Leading Change project
  • Write an article for the Teen Blog
  • Earn community service hours (minimum of 20 hours required)
group of smiling teens

Teen Volunteer

Ages 14-19. Teen Volunteers make a difference at their library in a variety of ways and earn community service hours at the same time.

  • Help librarians organize and arrange the teen area
  • Create library displays
  • Work on special projects
  • Be a Homework Helper
  • Assist Friends of the Library at book sales
  • Summer Reading assistance and signups (seasonal)
  • Serving Summer Lunch (seasonal/select branches)
five teens cleaning up a park

Make a Difference in Your Community

Los Angeles Public Library is proud to host over 2,600 teens as volunteers every year at our 73 locations. Opportunities vary at different locations. Contact the Young Adult Librarian or Senior Librarian at your nearest library about getting involved.

Those who are selected to participate as volunteers or Teen Council members will need to complete a Teen Volunteer Intake Form and must also have their parent or guardian sign a Teen Volunteer Waiver Form. Questions? Please email us or call Volunteer Engagement at (213) 228-7490.