Lewes library welcomes summer youth ambassadors

While the coronavirus pandemic has left Delaware libraries closed to the public, they are still providing services on many levels, both virtually and via curbside services.

“There is always a tremendous amount of work to do in the library, even when we are closed. That’s why we knew we wanted to continue our summer youth ambassador program, even if it might look a little different than it did last year,” said Jennifer Noonan, Lewes Public Library children’s librarian and ambassador program director.

The Lewes Public Library’s summer youth ambassador program was developed in 2019 to give local students who have finished sixth, seventh or eighth grade an opportunity to gain work experience and firsthand knowledge of libraries and the information field.

This year, four middle school students from the area have joined the program. Designed to be a training ground for future work experience, the program requires an application and interview process, references and a commitment to a series of training sessions, as well as two hours of service per week for eight weeks throughout the summer.

Despite the library’s closure to the public, the youth ambassadors are getting a variety of robust experiences pertaining to libraries and the information field.

“Last year, ambassadors helped us tremendously in prepping and running summer reading programs, and maintaining the children’s wing, which traditionally experiences a tidal wave of traffic from both local families and summer visitors. With the library closed, we are able to use their help with inventorying the collection, preparing grab-and-go activities, shelving and any tasks like transit (the movement of books between libraries) that are generally only handled by our adult volunteers.”

The 2020 Lewes library summer youth ambassadors are Gina Coleman, Hayden Lenz, Lily Noonan and Liam Ramsey. “This program is the real deal,” said Noonan. “Our ambassadors are required to commit and show up, be responsible and professional, and communicate with the library or me should any problems arise. This year’s ambassadors are doing a fantastic job already.”

Due to the shutdown and stay-at-home order, the application process was extended, and interviews took place in late May via Zoom. Participants began training the second week of June once restrictions lifted. They will volunteer through mid-August.

Anyone interested in applying for the program should visit the library or lewes.lib.de.us for information in March or call Jennifer Noonan at 302-645-2733.