North Shelby Library offering community service opportunities for teens

Published 4:59 pm Thursday, August 27, 2015

The North Shelby Library is offering three Teen Volunteer Days to help local teens fulfill school community service hours. (File)

The North Shelby Library is offering three Teen Volunteer Days to help local teens fulfill school community service hours. (File)

By MOLLY DAVIDSON / Staff Writer

NORTH SHELBY—Are any high school students looking to fulfill community service hours? Stop by the North Shelby Library for a Teen Volunteer Day to get community service credit while also helping out around the library.

The North Shelby Library is offering three Teen Volunteer Days this fall: Sept. 12, Oct. 3 and Oct. 31.

“Local schools have the Give Me Five (community service program),” librarian Kate Etheredge said. “I like to give (students) the opportunity to get their hours done before the end of the school year.”

Students in sixth through 12th grade can sign up for one or two-hour time slots to help out around the library during the volunteer days.

“They’re not going to be sitting around watching paint dry,” Etheredge said with a laugh. “They’ll be doing all sorts of fun stuff!”

Tasks include organizing and labeling some of the libraries book series, shelving books and helping prepare materials for the Children’s Department programs.

While important the whole year, these tasks are especially important in the fall as the library gears up to resume regular programming and activities.

“We’re back on a full programming schedule (in the fall),” Etheredge said. “The teens will help us be prepared for the year.”

So far, the Teen Volunteer Days have been popular and Etheredge said volunteer spots are already full for the Sept. 12 date. Etheredge said she may offer more volunteer days in the spring, if there is enough demand.

“I’m very glad to offer it,” Etheredge said, noting she and others at the North Shelby Library appreciate the teens’ help.

For more information and to sign up to volunteer, call 439-5512.