Teen Volume
Funded through the Chicago Public Library Foundation since 2005, Chicago Public Library’s Teen Volume project includes:
- Working with teens to ensure their opinions and voices are reflected in Chicago Public Library’s services, programs, and collections by stimulating the reading and writing interests of teens
- Getting teens excited about discussing books and planning for their futures by showcasing the free information available through books, magazines, databases, and the website at the library
- Improving teens’ reading comprehension
- Improving teens’ financial literacy skills
- Providing teens with opportunities for self-expression through programming and volunteering
- Providing teens with rewarding and meaningful volunteer experiences, shaping life-long readers and literate adults who are thoughtful and creative participants in their communities
- Developing staff and educators who work with teens
Reader's Theatre
Reader's Theatre features dramatic readings that, through inflection and gesture, bring the pages of a book to life. Teen volunteers on the Reader's Theatre Troupe are mentored by professional actors of the Promethean Theatre Ensemble working in partnership with Chicago Public Library staff. Troupe members build acting skills, gain exposure to great books, and earn community service-learning hours by participating in the project.
In addition to experiencing consistent project mentorship from partners of the Promenthean Theatre Ensemble, Troupe members also gain exposure to other professional companies and productions through new partnerships and opportunities made possible by companies such as Steppenwolf Theatre and Redmoon Theater.
The Chicago Public Library’s hope is that teen readers will bring books to life and help: