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Teen Volunteering

These opportunities are available only to Ridgewood Public Library cardholders in grades 6 to 12.

We will only retain records for our teen volunteers for one year after date of high school graduation.

How to volunteer at RPL

  • Choose an opportunity from the descriptions below.
  • Register for and attend an orientation.
  • After you attend the orientation we will email you a link to the online application. After you submit your application we will email you a link to our online scheduling system, Volgistics. You can sign up for openings right away.
  • Questions: Email teens@ridgewoodlibrary.org

Current Volunteers: Sign up for hours here!

ESL Boot Camp

Grades 9-12

Learn how to become a ESL summer volunteer. We will provide training and 8 weeks of themed topics. Work in small groups with ESL students in grades 3-8.

June 24 through August 14 schedule

  • Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4-5pm

We are no longer accepting applications. Please check back with us next summer.

Questions: Victoria Schnure, ESL Coordinator/Instructor, VSchnure@ridgewoodlibrary.org, (201) 670-5600, ext. 2134

Collection Specialist

Grades 6-12

Learn how to organize library materials on carts, shelf-read, straighten sections and retrieve items from shelves to fill loan requests.

Volunteer no more than once per day, twice per week.

September through June schedule

  • Monday-Thursday, 4-5 pm or 7-8 pm
  • Friday, 4-5 pm
  • Saturday, 9-10 am, 12-1 pm, or 3-4 pm

June through August schedule

  • Monday-Thursday, 9-10 am, 1-2 pm, 4-5 pm or 7-8 pm
  • Friday, 9-10 am, 1-2 pm or 4-5 pm
  • Saturday, 9-10 am, 12-1 pm, or 3-4 pm

Teen Volunteer

Grades 6-12

The following programs vary on a month by month basis.

  • Brick Buddies. Read a book and work together on a Lego challenge with young patrons in 1st to 3rd grade.

 

  • Special Events. Assist librarians during onsite programs and events.

 

  • NEW Summer Buddies. Help prevent the summer slide and become a summer buddy! Read one-to-one with our young patrons for the first 15 minutes. Then spend the rest of your session learning through play. Open to young patrons in 1st to 3rd grade. Starts July 7 and ends August 11. Mondays, 2-3 pm

Please limit your sign up to once a month to allow others to volunteer. Will be asked to work on Collection Specialist duties as needed.

Upcoming Combined Orientations

At this time we are at max capacity. Please check back in the spring 2026. Thank you for your patience.