Must come to an intro meeting: Tuesday, October 6 or Tuesday, October 13 at 5:00pm.
Teen Advisory Board is a leadership and volunteer opportunity for grades 9-12. The 2026-27 program is centered around civic education.
Presentations/workshops happen once a month, with meetings/workdays in between – Always on Tuesdays from 5-6pm.
Regular participants will be eligible to go on a field trip to NYC in the spring semester!
Interested, curious, questions? Email YA Librarian – Nike Desis (pronounced Niki) at ndesis@oldlymelibrary.org
Program Description:
Teen Advisory Board is library leadership program for older Teen volunteers. It serves as a space to brainstorm improvements to Library offerings, implement programs collaboratively, work on self-directed projects, and be a mentor to younger volunteers.
The 2026-2027 program focuses on civic education, helping to empower young people to see themselves as participants in democracy, irrespective of voting rights. Meetings alternate between monthly workshops presented by an array of community leaders. Food will be served at all workshop sessions and consistent participants will be eligible to attend a field trip to NYC in the spring semester!
Dates & meeting times:
- Meetings and Workshops: Every Tuesday from 5:00-6:00 pm
- Expected to come to a min. of 1 meeting and 1 workshop a month
- Dates: October 6-April 30 (with the understanding that other seasonal extracurriculars may pop up here and there. We will work together to keep it flexible!)
List of 2026-27 Workshops & Info Sessions:
- Public Testimony Process—Q&A
- Student-Led Change—History of Civil Disobedience in the US
- Public Testimony—Advocacy in Action
- Rights and Representation at the Workplace
- Art, Censorship, & Democratic Processes
Workshops are supported by funding from the Community Foundation of Eastern CT.
Eligibility:
Open to motivated students ages 14–18, grades 9-12.
Must be willing and able to devote a minimum of 2-4 hours per month to meetings, workshops, plus optional project work.
Opportunities & Benefits:
- Looks GREAT on your resume!
- Earn volunteer hours
- Unique learning and leadership opportunity
- Job, life, & communication skills
- Recommendation letters by request
- Serve as a community role model
- Advocacy skills, literacy skill building
- A supportive, open, curious environment
- Meet new people, including local leaders
- Field trip to NYC
- Collaborate with peers and library staff to design, promote, and present a possible showcase event, highlighting a topic of your choice
