By Theresa Knapp 

Hopedale students can now earn community service hours by volunteering at the Bancroft Memorial Library. 

As a graduation requirement, Hopedale Junior-Senior High School students must complete 10 hours of volunteer service. So far, the program is going well, says Youth Services Librarian Laura Brillant-Giangrande.

“I am always excited when students and other residents volunteer their time and talents to enrich the library and its programming. I welcome anyone who is interested to reach out and ask how they can help.”

The library has built volunteer hours into its activities calendar to help students earn their hours at a steady pace. 

“It is our hope that they also have a sense of engagement and value with this library and the Hopedale community,” said Brillant-Giangrande. “The patrons can enjoy a cleaner, better-organized library with more and diverse programming as well as witness the positive influence and engagement the youth of Hopedale have in their community.”

Brillant-Giangrande says the students are asked to do various tasks that can range from helping to prepare for specific programs to weeding and landscaping. 

There are several student volunteers at the library - including Scouts, National Honor Society, and students adding volunteerism to their college applications - but the library tries to give preference to high schoolers to help them achieve their graduation requirement. 

“As of now, I have room for five student volunteers each month. If there is greater demand, I can look for more tasks in order to increase registration openings. I am always happy to welcome more students and I will do my best to fulfill as many requests as I can,” said Brillant-Giangrande.