Past Opportunities 2025

BROOKLYN LIBRARY BOOKMATCH TEEN PROGRAM (UNPAID)

WHO: High school Students between the ages of 9 and 12

WHAT: Learn the art of recommending books from librarians, book selectors, publishers and authors, and offer a readers’ advisory service exclusive to teens. Represent BPL at events and select books to be added to the Library’s collection!  Program takes place weekly Wednesdays in November and December for training, followed by bimonthly meetings and live book matching at BPL events through early June. The program is in person at Brooklyn Public Library's Central Library, located at 10 Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn.

WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library's Central Library, 10 Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn. 

WHEN: Eight Wednesdays in November and December for training, followed by 2-3 times a month and live book matching at BPL events through early June. 

DEADLINE TO APPLY: September 14, 2026

HOW: https://www.bklynlibrary.org/support/volunteer/bklyn-bookmatch-teen

URBAN ARTS 2D GAME DEVELOPMENT (UNPAID)

WHO: High school students in 10th,11th,12th grade who have scored 80 or higher on a Regents

WHAT: Game Academy is an award-winning, three-level game design and computer science program for high school students looking for college preparatory STEM opportunities. In the first course, 2D Game Development, you will code and design your first video game prototype using Unity3D—an interactive media engine used widely within the game industry. Coursework includes C# programming with Unity3D, 2D pixel art and sprite animation, digital music and sound FX, and narrative writing.

Our tuition-free model allows our admissions process to focus exclusively on recruiting the students with the strongest interest to learn, regardless of family income.

• Food during in-person courses

• Laptops provided for in-class use or to borrow for remote learning

• Metrocards, as needed

• Access to Discord community for online learning and support

• College Access services

WHERE: 39 W 19th Street New York, NY 10011

WHEN: Full school year: Starting Mid-October through mid-June

     6 hours/week

         Choose to attend 2x after school weekly or all day Saturdays

In-Person Classes @ the Urban Arts Learning Lab: 

• Tuesdays & Thursdays, 4-6:30pm

• or Saturdays, 10am-5pm

Remote Class on Discord:

• Wednesdays & Fridays, 4-6:30pm

DEADLINE TO APPLY: September 18th, 2026

HOW:https://urbanarts.org/game-academy-2d-course/ 

YA-YA Network EMPOWER FELLOWSHIP (STIPEND)

WHO: High School Ages 15-19 

WHAT: The Empower Fellowship is rooted in the pillar of social justice advocacy - that we, ourselves, must take an active role in our own growth. Empower focuses on identity development, self-esteem, confidence building, facilitation training, and leadership. Stipend is $30 a session.

WHERE: 135 West 36th Street, PH, New York NY 10018

WHEN: From October to May

DEADLINE TO APPLY: ASAP

HOW: https://www.yayanetwork.org/empower

BROOKLYN PUBLIC LIBRARY LIBRARIANS OF TOMORROW (PAID)

WHO: High School students ages 15 & up in 10-12th Grade

WHAT: Teen Internship Program

Librarians of Tomorrow is an innovative, hands-on internship program for 10th-12th grade students from diverse backgrounds with an interest in library careers. We seek committed and enthusiastic individuals who are ready to learn, work, and help others!

Why Join?

Build your academic, college, and career readiness skills with support from a mentor

Work behind the scenes on developing cutting-edge programming and projects

Receive a stipend, volunteer service hours and resume-building experience

Meet other likeminded teens from across NYC

Make a difference!

WHERE: 10 Grand Army Plaza Brooklyn, New York 11238

WHEN: Available 3-6 hours a week during out-of-school time from November 2025 through June 2026

DEADLINE TO APPLY: October 3rd, 2026

HOW: https://www.bklynlibrary.org/librarians-tomorrow