Jessica is one of the teen volunteers at Southeast Regional Library. She has been volunteering since the summer of 2024 and has contributed over 50 hours. She has helped out with a variety of tasks including packing donations of books and other items to send to the Friends of the Jacksonville Public bookstore, shelving, and pulling items to fulfill customer holds. She has also been an active participant on the Teen Advisory Board and assisted with crafts during our summer kick-off and Halloween parties. In addition, Jessica ensures the materials are in the correct place on the shelves and was one of the many volunteers who helped with adding radio frequency identification tags to the branch's collection.
What inspired you to volunteer for the library?
Every summer as a child, I would go to the library to discover new books and meet new friends. It was, and still is, a very welcoming and pleasant environment where I always feel comfortable being myself. Because the library played such a significant role in my childhood, I wanted to give back to the community that made me who I am right now.
What is the most rewarding part about volunteering for the library?
By volunteering at the library, I've developed better communication and interactive skills, especially with helping individuals in answering questions. It always feels nice to lend a helping hand to those in need of one.
What is your favorite task at the library as a volunteer and why?
My favorite task while volunteering at the library is pulling holds, which means locating the books and media requested by customers. I enjoy this responsibility because it is both a physical and mental task, almost like a video game. By the time I’m done, it always feels like a huge accomplishment knowing that I've participated in one of the many processes that make the library so great.
What are your plans after you graduate high school?
After high school, I plan to go to college in Florida and hope to major in animal science. I’ve always had an interest in biology and love interacting with animals. Eventually I would like to pursue a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree.
