Who makes it possible for the Baltimore County Public Library to host its Summer Reading Club for kids?

After all, when the club has 1,739 members at the Towson branch and 3,405 members at the Cockeysville branch, somebody has to entice parents to enroll their children in the program, which encourages reading.

Somebody has to man the desk to help youngsters register online, distribute program guides and game boards, give out prizes as incentives, provide help at the craft tables, answer questions and keep things running smoothly.

That somebody, in this case, is 49 teen volunteers at the Cockeysville branch and 37 more at Towson.

The volunteers, who are entering the seventh, eighth or ninth grade, are integral to the success of the club, which serves nearly 28,000 children in the system's 17 branches and is one of the largest in the state.

"We could not do it without them," said librarian Christine Mitchell, who coordinates teen volunteers at Cockeysville. "They are an incredible resource for us."

Branch manager Mollie Fein agreed, adding, "It's a great group at Cockeysville this year."

For instance, on their own initiative, the volunteers this year decided to make sure everyone knows about the club. They introduce themselves when parents with young children walk in the door, give the parents a flier and invite them to enroll their children.

"They have been so helpful," Fein said.

It's a win for the teens too.

"I love coming in and helping the children," said Timonium resident Tiffany McGee, an eighth grader at St. Paul's School for Girls who has put in more than 60 hours at the Cockeysville branch. "I see the joy on their faces when I hand them their bags. They're so expressive."

Tiffany has loved reading since her dad began taking her to the library, she said, and she just hopes she can instill that same love of reading in children she helps in the club.

Molly Webber, a ninth grader at Maryvale Preparatory School who volunteers at the Towson branch, strikes a similar chord.

"It makes me feel good to see the little kids come in," the Monkton resident said. "I know if they start reading now that their love for reading will just grow."

Bryant Tisdale, who is headed for the ninth grade at Dulaney High School, points out another advantage of volunteering at Towson. It has enabled him to rack up some of the 75 community service hours he has to put in by the time he graduates from high school, he said.

The experience also gives the teens a taste of what it's like to hold down a job, according to John Owen, assistant branch manager at Towson.

For a lot of them, it's their first work experience, he said. The teens have to learn to show up on time, be sure to wear the club T-shirt, wear their library badges and learn how to approach people, said Owen.

"They are on the front line explaining things to adults," he said.

Teens must apply for the limited number of volunteer positions, which are for the nine-week duration of the club. For some branches they have to explain why they want the job and how their experience is relevant. Many are familiar with the club because they were once members.

While children can sign up for the club any time during the summer, the teen volunteers must sign up at the beginning.

However, they usually don't work more than a two-hour shift and are required only to put in 10 hours during the entire summer. In addition, the library is willing to schedule around them when the teens need time off for family vacations or other pursuits.

What advice would the teens give to next year's crop of volunteers?

"Always smile," said Towson resident Dana Kondner, a ninth grader at Mercy High School. "If you're not smiling and you're just sitting there looking bored, parents won't sign their kids up.

"And if a child is misbehaving, keep calm," she said. "You can't lose your temper."

"Have enthusiasm," said Bryant. "Even if you don't like it, act like you like it."

"Reading is so important," said Rena Goswami, who's in the seventh grade at Loch Raven Academy. "Let them enjoy reading and have fun with it."

Rena said she loves all types of books, and acknowledges that when she's not busy, she's able to enjoy one of the perks of volunteering. "I get to read."

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