Dear volunteers:
Volunteering not only develops you as a worker, but develops the community. Teen volunteering is especially special because you directly benefit from your contributions. You develop programs and services for yourself, your peers, and your community; you learn to speak up and advocate for yourself and your peers, and affect future services for people your age.
I want to take this moment to THANK YOU for your service to the Pasadena Public Library. I hope your time here has taught you something about the work force, encouraged you to explore your passions, and increased your value in libraries and the community. I invite you to ask me for information should you need research help, looking into careers or college, need a letter of recommendation, or what services and workshops are available to you in our community. I also hope and urge you to continue to use the library as adults because we’re here for every stage of your life.
For those continuing to volunteer here, this is what we have in store for next year:
- Homework helpers will return in the fall
- More project shifts this summer and fall
- Senior projects — talk to me if you need to do one
- Book festival in September
- Mental Health Initiative — informing the public/raise awareness, workshops for families and those with needs, more discussions/encourage conversations about mental health, hiring a social worker for the library, be proactive in breaking stigmas. Everyone knows a little about mental health issues but knowing the facts about mental illness can help you educate others and reject stigmatizing stereotypes.
- Lots of interviews by or about teens– several teens will teach workshops this summer, teens interviewing authors, teens interviewing our outgoing director
Awards for teen volunteers
- First number = hours worked this year (June 1, 2015-May 31, 2016)
- Second number = hours worked since becoming a volunteer
Most Impressive Projects
- Maya Wong 47 (Teen Zine layouts, flyers, brochures, TAB)
- Haneen Eltaib 50.75, 139.25 (murder mystery scripts for 2 years, interview for the zine & professional magazine, TAB)
- Mariah Dimalaluan 48.5, 129 (artwork; paintings for giveaways, decorations)
Book review master
- Hadley Willman 41, 65 (TAB, 7 book reviews on blog, now a reviewer for VOYA, currently working on book festival stuff)
Most dedicated
- Julia See 46.25, 125.25 (graduated this year, TAB, designed the logo, also on Youth Council)
- Angel “Meep” Gomez 124, 175.5 (graduated last year, TAB, led series of programs on her own, does whatever is needed)
Awesome program attendance
- Charlie Chen (attends the most teen events at the library!)
Most hours worked:
- Christine Atamian 29.5, 66 (Summer Reading volunteer)
- Amanda Brinegar 30 hours (volunteers at Hastings Branch)
- Cady West 46.5. 58.5 (TAB, leads the night vale programs)
- Chris Gonzalez 60.5, 148.5 (TAB, led the Teen Tech Week program, just Central numbers noted; also volunteers at La PIntoresca Branch)
- Madison Comick 103.25, 126.25 (helps moderate the book clubs, TAB, made this music list, next project is to update all of the kids online book suggestions list)
Not present at party, but notable:
- Lucy Wang 105.5, 160.25
- Alexis Kim 82.5, 121.5
- Kara Eng 80.75, 212