At Home Teen Service Hour Program
Winter Session: January 12 - May 4, 2026
Teens in grades 6th-12th can now earn service hours from home! Opportunities are designed to be flexible so you can volunteer when it works for you. Teen service hour projects will be available during select times in the spring and fall.
HOW IT WORKS
Pick a project from the list below.
Follow the instructions for each project.
Email any necessary documentation to lhutting@dewittlibrary.org to get credit for your work.
We will send you a final count verifying your service hours at the end of the school semester.
The last day to submit hours is Monday, December 15.
Email Lori Hutting at lhutting@dewittlibrary.org with any questions.
PROJECTS AND REQUIREMENTS
Book Recommendation List
Compile a list of 10-15 books based on a theme of your choice and email the list to Lori.
- Books must be available in the DeWitt District Library's collection and written for a teen audience. Search the library's collection here.
- Each must include the title and author.
- At least half of your list must include titles published within the last year.
- Each title must include 1-2 sentences summarizing the novel.
- Title your list and include one sentence that summarizes your list's theme.
- You will earn two service hours for every book list you complete.
Book Talk
Record yourself giving a book talk and email the video to Lori. Book talks are typically between 2-4 minutes. Recorded book talks will be uploaded to the library's YouTube channel.
- Book talks should include the title and author.
- Include a short summary and your review. (Suggestions: discuss themes, what you enjoyed, favorite quote and why, types of readers that would enjoy the book, etc.)
- Books must be available in the DeWitt District Library's collection, written for a teen audience, and published within the last two years.
- Make sure to feature the book cover in the video.
- Book talks must be emailed to Lori in mp4 format.
- You will earn two service hours for every book talk you complete.
Cards for Children in the Hospital
- If you are interested in this project, email Lori for more details.
- Return finished cards to the library.
- You will earn one service hour for every six cards you complete.
Cards for Local Nursing Home Residents
- If you are interested in this project, email Lori to be assigned to particular residents.
- Return finished cards to the library.
- You will earn one service hour for every six cards you complete.
Color-a-Smile
Print off and color six pages from the Color-a-Smile website.
- When finished, complete the validation form on their website.
- Color a Smile will email you a link to your validation form and information about where to send the pages. To receive credit, forward this email to Lori and return your completed pages to the library. The library will send the pages for you.
- You will earn one hour for every six pages you complete.
Fall Kindness Rocks
Paint rocks with positive and inspirational messages and hide them around the community.
- Find a rock and paint it with a positive message.
- Hide it in the community and take a photo of the rock in its hiding place.
- To receive credit, send the photo to Lori Hutting at lhutting@dewittlibrary.org.
- You will earn one hour for every six rocks you paint and hide.
Smithsonian Digital Volunteer - Transcription Center (Ages 14+)
Transcribe historical records and documents to help make them more accessible.
- Create an account on the Smithsonian Transcription Center website. Review their tips and resources page for help getting started.
- To receive credit, download the PDF report of your activity via the "My Work" section of your account and submit it to Lori. Learn more about tracking your hours here.
- Note: The Smithsonian requires digital volunteers to be at least 14 years old.
- You will earn one service hour for every hour you spend transcribing records.
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