Volunteer Opportunities

Welcome to UPL’s Teen Volunteer Program! 

Below you can find a wide variety of volunteer activities that can be completed for the library in order to earn community service hours. Please note: in-person volunteer opportunities will be limited due to COVID-19 protocols.

To volunteer with us:

1. Register by filling out our volunteer sign up form. 
2. Complete volunteer activities of your choice (see below!)
3. Then, submit your work using the volunteer hours submission form. It is your responsibility to log your own hours!

The following section lists some opportunities for volunteer work. If you have any other ideas about how you would like to earn hours through the library, please email us at teens@uplnj.org.

In-Person Volunteering

• Teen Advisory Group (TAG) meeting – 1 hour of service (monthly)
  • Attend our monthly TAG meeting! Here, you can help us make UPL the place for you by sharing ideas for library programs and recommending books, movies, and more. By attending TAG meetings, you’ll learn about other volunteering opportunities at the library. Check our Events page to register for our next meeting: Thursday, May 19 @ 4PM.

• Join our Remind group to stay up-to-date about other in-person opportunities that may arise.
  • Our group name is @upltag2122.

Virtual Volunteering

• Review Library Materials – 1 hour of service (12 per year maximum)
  • You can review anything the library owns (i.e. Book, eBook, Movie, Music, Video Game, Manga, Graphic Novel, etc) for inclusion on our Volunteer Gallery.  Review should follow these guidelines. 
  • Submit reviews using the hours submission form and upload the file.

• Filming Video Content – 3 hours of service for minimum 5 min video (4 per year maximum)
  • How-To/Learning Videos :
    • Simple craft
    • Teach a few words in a different language or sign language
    • Art tutorial
    • Play an instrument/sing a song
  • Create a Book Trailer – 1.5 hours for minimum 1 minute trailer
    • How to Create a Book Trailer
  • Book, Movie, Music, or Game review

• Gaming
  • Host and run a library gaming program – 2 hours of service (speak to us about details!)
    • Among Us
    • Teen choice
  • Help with UPL’s Animal Crossing Island
    1. Donate materials
    2. Craft Items
    3. Hang Designs in Mabel’s Shop
    4. Help librarians while the island is open

• Social Media
  • Make a TikTok about a book you found at UPL! – 1 hour of service
    • 3 per month maximum
  • Create a “Bookface” photo for our Instagram – 30 mins of service
    • 5 per month maximum
  • Engage with the UPL Facebook & Instagram for 5 days – 1 hour of service
    • 1 per month maximum
    • Comment, like, share, etc.
    • Must engage with at least once on a post out the of the five days
  • Take photos of crafts you create from the library’s take home kits – 30 min of service
    • 4 per month maximum
    • We will post these on our social media