State Library of Iowa consultant outlines best practices for teen volunteers in libraries

Janae Jackson Dorey, youth services consultant with the State Library of Iowa, told webinar attendees that libraries should actively recruit, orient and supervise teen volunteers to support summer reading and year-round programs.

Dorey said teen volunteers provide essential help — from signing kids up for summer reading and preparing craft materials to shelving picture books and serving as event counters — while gaining workplace skills and community experience. "Teens see the library as a safe, welcoming space," she said.

Dorey framed the guidance around practical steps: where to recruit (middle and high schools, English teachers, service clubs, homeschool networks and social media), application elements and background checks, orientation and scheduling, appropriate tasks by age and maturity, behavior management, and ways to recognize service at the end of a season.

Why it matters: Dorey argued that volunteer experiences benefit both libraries and youth. She cited research-based tools such as the Search Institute's "40 developmental assets" and professional guidance from YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Association) to underscore how service promotes…