Teens

Calling all writers and artists ages 11-18!

JMRL’s Teen Creative Arts Magazine (Teen Zine) gives all teens in the library’s service area the opportunity to share their talents and work together on a project showcasing a range of artistry.

Meetings will occur monthly in a hybrid format.

Submission Guidelines:

• Accepting Writing and 2D art
• Open to ages 11-18
• Author/artist must reside within JMRL service area
• Submissions must be original in their entirety (please no AI)
• Submit your own work only (no submitting on someone else’s behalf)
• ONE submission per format (art & writing) per teen
• Writing limit is 750 words or less and may receive light editing
• Submitted electronically as a file type (PDF, PNG or JPEG)
  • Will not accept original art pieces (must be photo or scan)
  • Will not accept paper submissions

Helpful Advice for Submissions

Read your writing aloud to see if it sounds the way you intended. This is an easy way to find errors before you submit it. You can also have a friend read your writing and help you find anything you missed.

What Will Not Be Accepted

Material consisting of copyrighted material (i.e. images of popular characters)

Material conflicting with the JMRL conduct policy (i.e. threatening material identifying real people)

JMRL Teen Zine will print things in the same state that they are submitted.

Submissions will be reviewed by an editorial board consisting of teen volunteers and library staff.

Artists/authors retain rights to the materials that are submitted.
 

Please note: This document and information submitted may be a matter of public record under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act.

Questions?

Contact your local branch or email the Young Adult Services Manager. Thank you for your interest in volunteering -- your support is greatly appreciated!

Be a Teen Volunteer

Volunteers help the Library in many ways. If you’re a teen and are interested in volunteering, there are three options for you:

• Become a Teen Volunteer
• Join a Teen Advisory Board

About the Volunteer Program

If you are at least 13 years old, you’re eligible to be a teen volunteer.

You can earn credit for school or club service requirements.

Teen volunteers should be able to work independently, rather than only in a group setting.

Volunteer tasks, which vary according to the branch location, may include helping to prepare materials for programs or distribution (photocopying, laminating, cutting, folding, typing), assisting in creating displays, helping to set up the meeting room for programs, or helping with the summer reading program.

Questions?

Contact your local branch or email the Young Adult Services Manager. Thank you for your interest in volunteering -- your support is greatly appreciated!

Positions Available

Please check each branch for availability:

• If you’re in the 6th grade or older, you can still be involved!
• Most JMRL branches currently have active Teen Advisory Boards that meet once a month. all are open to ages 11-18.
• Members discuss ideas for teen programs and services, offer suggestions of materials to add to the collection, and work on projects together as a group.
• It’s a good opportunity to have input into what’s going on for teens at your library, have fun, and meet other teens.
• Members also earn volunteer credit for attending meetings and working with the group on programs and projects.

Skip to application

Meetings

The following branches have Teen Advisory Boards:

Calling all writers and artists ages 11-18!

JMRL’s Teen Creative Arts Magazine (Teen Zine) gives all teens in the library’s service area the opportunity to share their talents and work together on a project showcasing a range of artistry.

Meetings will occur monthly in a hybrid format.

Submission Guidelines:

• Accepting Writing and 2D art
• Open to ages 11-18
• Author/artist must reside within JMRL service area
• Submissions must be original in their entirety (please no AI)
• Submit your own work only (no submitting on someone else’s behalf)
• ONE submission per format (art & writing) per teen
• Writing limit is 750 words or less and may receive light editing
• Submitted electronically as a file type (PDF, PNG or JPEG)
  • Will not accept original art pieces (must be photo or scan)
  • Will not accept paper submissions

Helpful Advice for Submissions

Read your writing aloud to see if it sounds the way you intended. This is an easy way to find errors before you submit it. You can also have a friend read your writing and help you find anything you missed.

What Will Not Be Accepted

Material consisting of copyrighted material (i.e. images of popular characters)

Material conflicting with the JMRL conduct policy (i.e. threatening material identifying real people)

JMRL Teen Zine will print things in the same state that they are submitted.

Submissions will be reviewed by an editorial board consisting of teen volunteers and library staff.

Artists/authors retain rights to the materials that are submitted.
 

Please note: This document and information submitted may be a matter of public record under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act.

Questions?

Contact your local branch or email the Young Adult Services Manager. Thank you for your interest in volunteering -- your support is greatly appreciated!