Sierra Madre Teens and Treasures – Teen History Docents

Sierra Madre local history will get a big boost with a new grant just received by the Sierra Madre Public Library. The grant of $7,500 will enable the Library to train teen volunteers as history docents using new Digital Storyboard technology at the Library’s Local History Room and at the Richardson House museum. Recruiting and training of teens will begin in September.

The California State Library awarded funding of the grant titled “Sierra Madre, Teens and Treasures – Teen History Docents.” The grant will expand the Library’s summer teen volunteer program into a year-round program by training teens as docents.

First step will be to hire a part-time coordinator who will recruit and train the teens. The volunteer docents will give “tours” of local history using the new Digital Storyboards.

Five teens at a time will train and give tours during a five-week period. A total of 25 teens will be part of the program during the grant period, then the library will continue the program after the grant period ends.

Library Director Carolyn Thomas said, “We are delighted to share our city’s rich local history collection with more people through the Digital Storyboards and are pleased that we can expand our summer volunteer program throughout the year. It’s a great combination of resources.”