Teen Service Hours

Teens! We have volunteer service hour opportunities! (May – August)

***Teens must be present in order to pick up Take, Make And Bring Back Kits, return Take, Make And Bring Back Kits, and to get any paperwork signed confirming hours.

The library does not provide service hours for court mandated issues.
Hours are given out at the discretion of the library staff. If we deem your work to be insufficient or inappropriate, library staff can reject submissions. We do not provide Service Hours forms. They must come from your school or organization.

All virtual Service Hour forms can be brought in to the Teen Desk for signature confirmation after Service Hours have been confirmed by us via email. We will try to confirm virtual service hours within 1 week via email, but cannot guarantee the time frame.

All in person Service Hour forms can be brought in the day of the program or any time after. They will not be signed until the end of the program you are helping out at.

Anyone in grades 6-12 can participate in our Teen service hour opportunities, unless otherwise noted. All in person service hour programing currently requires registration. If you cannot attend the opportunities that you have registered for, be sure to either cancel online, or call us to cancel. If you miss more than 2 opportunities without canceling, you will not be able to register for any more opportunities.


Virtual Service Hour Opportunities

Virtual Service Hour Opportunities

***Teens must be present in order to get any paperwork signed confirming hours.
 
The library does not provide service hours for court mandated issues.
To earn virtual service hours, you must follow ALL listed directions. Hours are given out at the discretion of the library staff. If we deem your work to be insufficient or inappropriate, library staff can reject submissions. We do not provide Service Hours forms. They must come from your school or organization. All Service Hour forms can be brought in to the Teen Desk for signature confirmation after Service Hours have been approved via email. We will try to confirm service hours within 1 week via email, but cannot guarantee the time frame. Anyone in grades 6-12 can participate in our virtual service hour opportunities. Teens must be present in order for their service hour paperwork to be signed.

  • Select a project from the list below.
  • Follow all the directions for each project.
  • Submit emails with your finished work no later than December 31 for opportunities from our current selection.
  • After December 31, keep an eye out for updated service opportunities!
  • Each individual Virtual Service Hour opportunity has it’s own limit to how many hours you can earn from it. You can do multiple opportunities. (Example: you can do 3 Your Picks, 5 Letters to Elders, and 3 Write Ups to gain 11 hours of service.)

Section 1: Recommending To Others

Your Picks: Teen Video Edition (Limit 3 Submissions/3 Service Hours)

(Limit started January 1, 2024. Anything sent January 1 or later will be counted towards your 3 for this year. Anything sent prior to January 1, 2024 will not count towards your 3.)

Do you like to recommend things to friends? Do you like making videos? If the answer is yes, then we’ve got a service hour opportunity for you.

  • Create a 1 to 5 minute video where you do a review of your favorite teen books. (Books read for class will not be accepted for service hours.) All reviews must be about YA items from the Library’s collection, meaning it must be Teen/YA and the Orland Park Public Library MUST own it in our YA (Young Adult) collection. If you are unsure if it counts, ask one of the librarians and we’ll be happy to check for you.
  • Your goal is to try to persuade people to check out the item you’re reviewing. Tell them a little bit about the story (no spoilers) and why it’s so amazing. Use your own words. Do not read the summary off the back of the item or one you picked up online.
  • For every approved video you do, you’ll receive one service hour from the library. (Limit 3)
  • All videos must be library appropriate.
  • When recording be sure you use standard definition (don’t send videos over 200,000KB). Submitted videos may be posted on the library’s website and social media at staff’s discretion, so by sending them to us you are giving us permission to use your material and likeness.
  • Submit your videos by sending us a way to download the video file by either creating a free Dropbox account or by using a Google Cloud link. Send us those links by emailing efaxel@orlandparklibrary.org.
  • Be sure you do not have any copyrighted material in your videos. (This includes but isn’t limited to: music, video clips, photos, etc. )
  • You can do more than one video (up to 3), but each review submitted must cover a different item. Each video must also be on different items than your Write Ups and/or Bookstagrams, if you choose to do those options as well.
  • Be sure that you include your full name (first and last), grade, and which service hour program you are submitting work for (in this case Your Picks) in every email you send us. (It’s like making sure your name is on your paper for school before turning it in.) If you do not have your name on your work, you will not receive credit for it. Do not add this information to the subject line of the email. Please add it to the actual body of the email.
  • After a video has been submitted and approved via email, we will be able to sign your service hours form. (The Teen must be present with their form in order for it to be signed.)
  • Check out these video reviews from Teens like you!

Teen Write-Ups (Limit 3 Submissions/3 Service Hours)

(Limit starts January 1, 2024. Anything sent January 1 or later will be counted towards your 3 for this year. Anything sent prior to January 1, 2024 will not count towards your 3.)

Have you read something amazing lately?

  • Write up a paragraph review (at least 7 sentences) about a teen book. (Books read for class will not be accepted for service hours.) All reviews must be about YA items from the Library’s collection, meaning it must be Teen/YA and the Orland Park Public Library MUST own it in our YA (Young Adult) collection.
  • All reviews should start with the title of the item and the author of the book. This is the “title” of your review and does not count as one of your paragraph sentences.
    Example: “The Hunger Games” by Suzan Collins
    If you do not include this information, we cannot give you service hour credit.
  • Your goal is to try to persuade people to go check out what you’ve wrote about. Tell them a little bit about the story (no spoilers) and why it’s so amazing. Your paragraph must be written in your own words.
  • For every write up you do (up to 3) and that is approved, you’ll receive one service hour from the library.
  • All write ups must be library appropriate. Submitted write ups may be posted on the library’s website and social media at staff’s discretion, so by sending them to us you are giving us permission to use your material.
  • Send all write ups to efaxel@orlandparklibrary.org.
  • After a write up has been submitted and approved via email, we will be able to sign your service hours form. (The Teen must be present with their form in order for it to be signed.)
  • You can do more than one write up (up to 3), but each paragraph submitted must be about something different. Each Write Up must also be on different items than your Bookstagrams and/or Your Pick Videos, if you choose to do those options as well.
  • Be sure that you include your full name (first and last), grade, and which service hour program you are submitting work for (in this case Write Ups) in every email you send us. (It’s like making sure your name is on your paper for school before turning it in.) If you do not have your name on your work, you will not receive credit for it. Do not add this information to the subject line of the email. Please add it to the actual body of the email.
  • Check out these reviews from Teens like you!

Teen Bookstagrams (Limit 3 Submissions/3 Service Hours)

(Limit started January 1, 2024. Anything sent January 1 or later will be counted towards your 3 for this year. Anything sent prior to January 1, 2024 will not count towards your 3.)

Do you love Instagram? Do you love to read? Why not mix the two together and earn service hours for it?

  • Read a teen book from the Library’s collection then create a bookstagram for us to post on the library’s account. Books read for class will not be accepted for service hours. All reviews must be about YA items from the Library’s collection, meaning it must be Teen/YA and the Orland Park Public Library MUST own it in our YA (Young Adult) collection.
  • Not sure what a bookstagram is? Check out the library’s Instagram account and see examples of what others have done.
  • Each post needs a photo with a teen/YA book in it. Be as creative as you can. Please don’t just send us a picture of the book by itself. Try to make a cool background, add props, or use photo editing. You will also write a short review (at least 5 sentences) on why it’s such a great read and why others should read it too.
  • Each photo needs to be submitted in a PDF or jpeg form. Your review should be written up in an email.
  • For every bookstagram you do and get approved (up to 3), you’ll receive one service hour from the library.
  • All posts must be library appropriate.
  • Submitted work may be posted on the library’s website and social media at staff’s discretion, so by sending them to us you are giving us permission to use your material.
  • Send all photos and reviews to efaxel@orlandparklibrary.org.
  • After a bookstagram has been submitted to us and approved via email, we will be able to sign your service hours form. (The Teen must be present with their form in order for it to be signed.)
  • Check Orland Park Public Library Instagram page to see Bookstagrams submissions from Teens like you!
  • You can do more than one bookstagram (up to 3) but each one submitted must be about a different YA book. Each Bookstagram must also be on different items than your Write Ups and/or Your Pick Videos, if you choose to do those options as well.
  • Be sure that you include your full name (first and last), grade, and which service hour program you are submitting work for (in this case Bookstagrams) in every email you send us. (It’s like making sure your name is on your paper for school before turning it in.) If you do not have your name on your work, you will not receive credit for it. Do not add this information to the subject line of the email. Please add it to the actual body of the email.
  • See the photos below for some bookstagram photo inspiration.

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Section 2: Helping Out Across The World

  • Select an organization from the “volunteer activities,” listed below.
  • Follow the requirements on our website and the organizations’ websites to complete volunteer work. (Find all the websites links for each organization below.)
  • Choose one organization (project) or a few to receive volunteer hours.
  • For each activity that you complete, take a clear photo of your finished volunteer project (example: letter, transcription etc.), upload it to an email and send it to efaxel@orlandparklibrary.org. No selfies required.
  • Copying your work text from the organizations’ websites and pasting it into an email is also acceptable. We just need to see your fully completed work, or no credit can be given.
  • Be sure that your full name (first and last) is in the email that you send us. No name equals no service hour credit.
  • Submit emails no later than December 31, 2024.
  • After December 31, keep an eye out for updated service opportunities!

The Organizations:

  • Love for Our Elders (Limit 5 Submissions/5 Service Hours)
    (Limit started January 1, 2024. Anything sent January 1 or later will be counted towards your 5 for this year. Anything sent prior to January 1, 2024 will not count towards your 5.)
    Make someone’s day a little brighter! Hand-write letters to residents in senior facilities.
    • Check out https://loveforourelders.org/letters and follow the instructions on their page to write and send a letter. (Note that they request that you write to one of their elders, not just an anonymous letter. That means every letter should start with a “Dear” and then the name of the person that you are writing to. (Dear Tom, Dear Dorthy,…..) They also request that the letter be decorated and on nice paper. You will not receive credit for just turning in words written on notebook paper. Make sure that the body of your letter (your main paragraph) is at least 7 sentences long. Your opening “Dear” and closing “Your Friend” do not count as one of your 7 sentences.) Please be sure to use punctuation in your letters.
    • Send a clear photo of your letter to efaxel@orlandparklibrary.org.
    • Be sure that we can see your full letter or we will not be able to give you credit. Since these are all handmade, a photo is required for this project. If you are having trouble sending a photo, contact efaxel@orlandparklibrary.org.
    • For each approved letter that you send to us, you’ll earn 1 hour of service time. (up to 5)
    • After a finished project has been submitted and approved via email, we will be able to sign your service hours form. (The Teen must be present with their form in order for it to be signed.)
    • You can do more than one letter (up to 5).
    • Be sure that you include your full name (first and last), grade, and which service hour program you are submitting work for (in this case Love for Our Elders) in every email you send us. (It’s like making sure your name is on your paper for school before turning it in.) If you do not have your name on your work, you will not receive credit for it. Do not add this information to the subject line of the email. Please add it to the actual body of the email.
    • Please be sure to send the organization your finished letters by following their guidelines on their website.
  • By the People (Limit 5 Submissions/5 Service Hours)
    (Limit started January 1, 2024. Anything sent January 1 or later will be counted towards your 5 for this year. Anything sent prior to January 1, 2024 will not count towards your 5.)
    Help the Library of Congress make documents searchable in their catalog. You will assist in transcribing original items. Anyone can transcribe and an account is not needed.
    • Check out https://crowd.loc.gov/help-center/welcome-guide and follow the instructions on their page to transcribe a document. Be sure that you are choosing longer documents to transcribe (at least two thirds of a page long/150 words long). Sending us something that is only a sentence or two long is not going to earn you any Service hour time.
    • Send a clear photo of your work and the original document that you transcribed to efaxel@orlandparklibrary.org . Be sure that we can see everything that you worked on. If you need to copy and paste your transcription into the email, that is ok. If you need to send us multiple photos that’s ok. We just need to be sure that you completed the full transcription or we cannot give you credit for your work.
    • For each transcription that you send to us, you’ll earn 1 hour of service time. (up to 5)
    • After a finished project has been submitted and approved via email, we will be able to sign your service hours form. (The Teen must be present with their form in order for it to be signed.)
    • You can do more than one transcription. (up to 5)
    • Be sure that you include your full name (first and last), grade, and which service hour program you are submitting work for (in this case By The People) in every email you send us. (It’s like making sure your name is on your paper for school before turning it in.) If you do not have your name on your work, you will not receive credit for it. Do not add this information to the subject line of the email. Please add it to the actual body of the email.

Take Make and Bring Back

Take Make and Bring Back

***Teens must be present in order to pick up Take, Make And Bring Back Kits, return Take, Make And Bring Back Kits, and to get any paperwork signed confirming hours.

The library does not provide service hours for court mandated issues. Hours are given out at the discretion of the library staff. If we deem your work to be insufficient or inappropriate, library staff can reject submissions. We do not provide Service Hours forms. They must come from your school or organization. All Service Hour forms can be brought in to the Teen Desk for signature confirmation after Service Hours have been turned in and approved by a librarian. Anyone in grades 6-12 can participate in our hybrid service hour opportunities. No registration is required for hybrid in-person programing. These programs are monthly and go while kits last.

Take Make and Bring Back

Directions:

  • Pick up your kits at the Teen Loft Desk, while supplies last. No online sign up required. Hurry, they go FAST!
  • Be sure to follow ALL instructions in your kit to earn service hours
  • You may only have 1 kit out at a time. Once you return your finished kit, you can take another one
  • Teens must be present in order to pick up/return their kit

Mini Works of Art- Level Up Theme

  • Month of May
  • Grades 6-12
  • Hours Earned: 1 Hour Per Kit
  • Pick up this kit and create a work of art to show off your creativity
  • Artwork will be used in the Teen Loft for Summer Reading

Create The Next Reading Dragon Special Edition Card

  • Month of June and July
  • Grades 6-12
  • Hours Earned: 1 Hour Per Kit (Up to 3)
  • Pick up this kit and decorate the dragon for a chance to be our next Reading Dragon card artist
  • Artwork may be used during our next Reading Dragons Winter Reading program. A few chosen dragons will be used on upcoming “Special Edition” Reading Dragon cards

Love Your Library Mini Paintings

  • Months of August
  • Grades 6-12
  • Hours Earned: 1 Hour Per Kit
  • Pick up this kit and create a work of art to show off your love for the library
  • Artwork will be used to decorate the Teen Loft

In-Person Volunteering Projects

In-Person Volunteering Projects

***Teens must be present in order to pick up Take, Make And Bring Back Kits, return Take, Make And Bring Back Kits, and to get any paperwork signed confirming hours.

It is important that you show up for your in-person service hour opportunities on time. If you sign up and don’t show up for two programs, you will lose all of your additional service hour opportunities. If you call us ahead of time to let us know that you can’t make it to your registered program you will not lose any future opportunities.

The library does not provide service hours for court mandated issues. Hours are given out at the discretion of the library staff. If we deem your work to be insufficient or inappropriate, library staff can dismiss teen with no service hours given. We do not provide Service Hours forms. They must come from your school or organization. All Service Hour forms can be brought in to the Teen Desk by the Teen for signature confirmation after the event that the teen participated in. Anyone in grades 6-12 can participate in our in-person service hour opportunities by registering on our event calendar.

Service Hour Programs:

Teen Little Free Food Pantry Stockers

  • Sign up to be a pantry stocker for the month
  • Hours Earned: Varies
  • Mandatory Training Days:
    • Monday, May 5 at 5 p.m.
    • Monday, June 2 at 5 p.m.
    • Wednesday, July 2 at 5 p.m.
    • Monday, Aug. 4 at 5 p.m.
  • Help us keep our Little Food Pantry stocked. You will need to attend a 1-hour mandatory training session and commit to visiting the library once a week for the month you register for. Meet at the Teen Desk for training.
  • Registration required for each month separately.

Summer Reading Kickoff Volunteers

  • Saturday, June 7 from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
  • Hours Earned: 4
  • Grades 6-12
  • Register to help out with our Summer Reading Kickoff Day. We’ll have various stations and activities that you will help run with the help of our librarians

Life-Sized Candyland Volunteers

  • Saturday, July 26 from 10 a.m. – Noon
  • Saturday, July 26 from Noon – 2 p.m.
  • Saturday, July 26 from 2 – 4 p.m.
  • Sunday, July 27 from 2 – 4 p.m.
  • Grades 6-12
  • Hours Earned: 2 per session
  • Sign up to help out with our Life-Sized Candyland Game. Choose a shift to sign up for and work with librarians to make the game come to life for families

Summer Buddies- The Floor Is Lava

  • Thursday, June 19 at 1:30 p.m.
  • Grades 6-12
  • Hours Earned: 1.5
  • Buddy up with a child to help them conquer the game “The Floor Is Lava”

Summer Buddies-Video Game Character Pearler Beads

  • Wednesday, July 9 at 1:30 p.m
  • Grades 6-12
  • Hours Earned: 1.5
  • Buddy up with a child to help them create video game masterpieces using pearler beads

Summer Buddies – Race to the Galaxy

  • Tuesday, Aug. 5 at 1:30 p.m.
  • Grades 6-12
  • Hours Earned: 1.5
  • Buddy up with a child to help them play this awesome game. Think gym class game… but even better!

Mario And Friends Obstacle Course

  • Tuesday, June 24 at 1 p.m.
  • Hours Earned: 2.5
  • Grades 6-12
  • Level Up your creativity and help build a Mario and friends inspired obstacle course with other Teens. Then help little kids go through it

Escape From Jurassic Park!

  • Tuesday, July 1 at 3 p.m.
  • Hours Earned: 2.5
  • Grades 6-12
  • Work with other teens to create a floor maze base Jurassic Park for kids of all ages to enjoy

Children’s Program Helpers

(Service hours earned varies. Check registration calendar for details. Volunteer space is limited. You will be working with a librarian during these programs. Teens must be present in order to get any paperwork signed confirming hours.)
 
Want to help out in a Youth program and gain amazing experience working with kids? 6-12 graders can register online for one (or more) of the following volunteer opportunities:

  • Star Wars Time – Saturday, May 10 at 1:45 p.m.
  • All About Energy – Monday, May 12 at 6:15 p.m.
  • Classic Card Games – Tuesday, May 13 at 6:15 p.m.
  • Edible Slime – Wednesday, May 14 at 6:15 p.m.
  • Ohana Means Family – Friday, May 30 at 6:15 p.m.
  • Error 404: Program Not Found – Tuesday, June 3 at 6:15 p.m.
  • Rockin’ Recess Games – Wednesday, June 4 at 6:15 p.m.
  • Excited for Eid – Tuesday, June 10 at 5:45 p.m.
  • Super Mario BINGO – Wednesday, June 11 at 6:15 p.m.
  • Jewelry Making – Tuesday, June 17 at 1:30 p.m.
  • Summer Buddies: The Floor Is Lava – Thursday, June 19 at 1:30 p.m.
  • Mario And Friends Obstacle Course – Tuesday, June 24 at 1:00 p.m.
  • Sailor Duck’s Backyard Bash – Monday, June 30 at 1:45 p.m.
  • Games of the Past – Monday, June 30 at 6:15 p.m.
  • Handprint Eagle Craft – Wednesday, July 2 at 6:15 p.m.
  • The KID Game – Monday, July 7 at 1:45 p.m.
  • Summer Buddies: Video Game Character Pearler Beads – Wednesday, July 9 at 1:45 p.m.
  • Paper Collages – Tuesday, July 15 at 6:15 p.m.
  • Ice Cream Day – Saturday, July 19 at 1:45 p.m.
  • Rock, Paper, Scissors – Tuesday, July 22 at 6:15 p.m.
  • Loteria BINGO – Friday, July 25 at 6:15 p.m.
  • Giant Board Game Extravaganza – Tuesday, July 29 at 3:45 p.m.
  • LEGO Derby – Wednesday, July 30 at 1:45 p.m.
  • Super Mario Kart Tournament – Thursday, July 31 at 1:45 p.m.
  • Summer Buddies: Race To The Galaxy – Tuesday, Aug. 5 at 1:45 p.m.
  • Super Smash Bros’ Tournament – Saturday, Aug. 9 at 1:45 p.m.
  • Paper Bag Kite Craft – Wednesday, Aug. 13 at 6:15 p.m.
  • Art Games – Monday, Aug. 18 at 6:15 p.m.
  • Dippin’ Dots Scented Slime – Tuesday, Aug. 19 at 6:15 p.m.
  • Book Cover BINGO – Thursday, Aug. 21 at 6:15 p.m.
  • DIY Puzzles and Games – Tuesday, Aug. 26 at 6:15 p.m.
  • Crafty Readers – Friday, Aug. 29 at 6:15 p.m.
  • Video Game Club – May 16, June 20, July 18, & Aug. 15 from 3:45-5:45 p.m.

*New* Teen Internship

*New* Teen Interns

Grades 6-12. Are you interested in helping out at the library at least once a month and earning service hours? Are you looking for something to add to your future college applications? Apply to be one of our Teen Interns. (Space will be limited.)

  • Applications are open July 1– August 13
  • Starting July 1: Stop by the Teen desk to grab a copy of our Teen Intern Application
  • Starting July 1: Stop by the Teen desk to grab a copy of our Teen Intern
  • Return the application to the Teen desk once it is fully filled out
  • Teens chosen for interviews for the program will be called and interviews will be scheduled near the end of August
  • The Intern program will run September – May

You must be able to commit to attending the scheduled intern meeting one Sunday a month for 2 hours. You must also be able to commit to 2 hours’ worth of “homework” a month. You will earn at least 4 service hours a month if you are chosen for this program. Interns will also have bonus opportunities to earn even more service hours throughout the school year.
Some of the work you may get to do as a Teen Intern:

  • Work with other Teens to choose books for and create book displays
  • Work with other Teens to create a program, and run it (with the help of librarians)
  • Help fill the Little Free Food Pantry
  • Help keep the Youth Department Clean
  • Recommend items for the library to add to their collection
  • Have first choice on signing up for one in person service hour program a month.(If you choose to take it.)
  • And More!

*Note* Your “homework” will be coming up with book ideas for your book displays, coming up with possible program ideas, and other small tasks.

More information and application coming soon!