community service opportunities

Fall Teen Volunteer Session: September 8 – December 14 (weekly and single-day opportunities available...more details below!).                               

Teen In-Person Volunteer Minimum Age Requirement: 16 years old

Application Deadline: Thursday, 8/28/2025

 Important to know before you apply:

• All in-person teen volunteers must be at least 16 years old and submit the attached Volunteer Release and Waiver of Liability Form, filled out and signed by a parent/guardian and returned to the Youth Services Department at A.K. Smiley Public Library. You may email the form to us at yrr@akspl.org or drop it off in the Young Readers’ Room. This completed form must be submitted before your first volunteer shift (if you are a returning library volunteer and already completed this form, you DO NOT need to submit again).

• All in-person teen volunteers must submit the attached City of Redlands Volunteer Application to the Youth Services Department at A.K. Smiley Public Library. You may email the form to us at yrr@akspl.org or drop it off in the Young Readers’ Room. This completed form must be submitted before your first volunteer shift.

• LiveScan for ages 18+. The City of Redlands requires all volunteers age 18 years and older to be LiveScanned at the City's expense. If you are 18+ years old, the City will send information about the LiveScan process to the email address you provide on this registration form and you will need to complete the LiveScan before your first volunteer shift. (Not required if you're under 18 or you've previously volunteered with the Library and completed the LiveScan). 

• Please be aware that spots are limited and sometimes go fast. Please fill out an online application (links below) even if you have previously volunteered with us!

In-Person Teen Volunteer Opportunities (must be 16 years old)

PJ Storytime Readers (limit of 6 teen volunteers) 

*Mandatory Training Meeting - Wednesday, 9/3/2025, 4:30 –5pm, The Assembly Room at A.K. Smiley Public Library

         What: Read stories to a small group of children and their families…you can even wear your pjs! Sign up with a friend!

         When: Wednesday evenings, 6:30-7:45pm (PJ Story Time begins at 7pm, you will use the first 30 minutes to prepare and practice with your books.

                   You may choose library books, or we can help you!)

         Where: The Young Readers’ Room at A.K. Smiley Public Library, 125 W. Vine St. Redlands         

Click here for more details and to apply to be a PJ Story Time Reader.

Shelving/Youth Services Support (limit of 4 teen volunteers)

*Mandatory Training Meeting – Wednesday, 9/03/2025, 4:00-4:30pm, The Assembly Room at A.K. Smiley Public Library

              What: Assist with Youth Services library duties, including shelving, preparing crafts, helping with library closing procedures (washing tables and straightening/dusting shelves), creating content for our Teen Underground TikTok account, and assisting with library events.

              When: You will choose 1 one-hour shift/week for the semester (we'll work with you to chose a date and time during our orientation)

              Where: The Young Readers’ Room at A.K. Smiley Public Library, 125 W. Vine St. Redlands

Click here for more details and to apply to be a Shelving/Youth Services Support Teen Volunteer.

“Family Day”: Single-Day Community Event 

What: Help us set up, run, and clean up our “Family Day” community event at A.K. Smiley Public Library. You may be moving E-Z Ups, tables, and chairs, helping with games and craft booths, and more!

When: Saturday, 9/27

             8am-2pm (3-4 hour shifts also available)

 Where: Smiley Park at A.K. Smiley Public Library, 125 W. Vine St. Redlands

*PLEASE ONLY REGISTER IF YOU INTEND ON BEING AT THE EVENT. WE WILL BE COUNTING ON YOU IF YOU SIGN UP. Thank you!

Click here for more details and to register to be a “Family Day” Teen Volunteer. 

Dia de Los Muertos Community Event: Single-Day Community Event

What: Help us set up, run, and clean up our “Dia de los Muertos” community event at A.K. Smiley Public Library. You may be moving E-Z Ups, tables, and chairs, helping with games and craft booths, and more!

When: Saturday, 11/01

             9am-2pm

 Where: Smiley Park at A.K. Smiley Public Library, 125 W. Vine St. Redlands

*PLEASE ONLY REGISTER IF YOU INTEND ON BEING AT THE EVENT. WE WILL BE COUNTING ON YOU IF YOU SIGN UP. Thank you!

Click here for more details and to register to be a “Dia de los Muertos” Teen Volunteer. 

Virtual Teen Volunteer Opportunity (Ages 13-19)

YA Book Reviews

              What: Read a Young Adult (YA) book that we have here in the Teen Underground (lower level of the library) or available as an eBook, and write a brief review for us to post on the Teens’ page of our website. Please note, community service credit is awarded for books you choose to read for fun, not for a school assignment, and is limited to 1 hour/book. :)

              When: Whenever convenient for you! You may submit up to two YA Book Reviews each month.

              Where: From the comfort of your own home! You just email us the review when you’re done!

              Details: For complete instructions, please see the “Teen Underground Virtual Book Reviews Info Sheet” attached to this message. Please read the instructions carefully and reach out if you have any questions. You will earn community service hours ONLY for YA books we have available here at the library (and that you read for recreation and not a class assignment), so please be sure to check our catalog (Material Type should be “Lower Level – YA Fiction/Nonfiction/Graphic Novel, etc.) before writing your review. For examples, go here!