Renewing the Library: Creating an Engaging and Inclusive Space for All

Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Ejay Tan. Read his story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light. 

Ejay Tan is 16 years old and a rising 11th grader. He is also an Eagle Scout and project manager on the Robotics Team.  

Ejay Tan has made a significant impact in advancing children’s literacy through his dedicated volunteer work. Since Fall 2022, he has contributed 157 hours volunteering weekly at the teen section of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library. Aside from volunteering at the library, he organized a successful book drive in three neighborhoods to gather, clean and repair 250 books, with the help of 35 volunteers who collectively contributed 93 additional hours over four months. 

Their collective efforts far surpassed the original target, resulting in the collection, cleaning and delivery of 1,750 board books, chapter books and young adult novels to Promising Pages, a local nonprofit. This initiative allowed 350 children to choose up to five books to keep. 

Read on to hear more about why Ejay continues his commitment by volunteering weekly at his local public library.  

What inspires you to volunteer? 

Volunteering has always come naturally to me. Since I was 4, I have been volunteering with my parents. We would clean greenways and pick up trash during our family walks. Also, during the COVID pandemic, we made sandwiches for the unhoused. For the past two years, I have been volunteering at Charlotte Mecklenburg Library. Many people assume that libraries are only for reading books and studying, but they offer so much more than that. 

Tell us about your volunteer role with Charlotte Mecklenburg Library. 

At my local library, I am a teen volunteer. I help people find books, organize and shelve them. Aside from books, we have a dedicated area for games, which includes a Nintendo Switch, an Oculus, an Xbox and more. This provides a great balance for teens who want to enjoy the library in ways beyond reading. When I’m not assisting with these tasks, I enjoy hosting events for other teens, such as creating kits and organizing chess matches. 

What inspired you to get started with this initiative?  

Before I started volunteering, I visited the library approximately once a week. I immediately wanted to share my love for the library with my community since volunteering had been a fun and rewarding experience. I wasn’t aware of all the video games they offered until my interview. Since I’ve started at the library, I’ve noticed an increase in the number of people coming in. It’s been very nice to see people not only come in to read but also enjoy the events we host. 

What are your long-term plans or goals for the organization? 

My goal is to continue volunteering with my local library and make a meaningful difference in its everyday outreach. I also plan to organize another book drive next summer. Recently, I organized a drive where I collected 1,750 books for children across Charlotte, North Carolina. I hope to do this again, and on an even bigger scale. 

What’s been the most rewarding part of your work? 

My experience as a volunteer has provided me with countless opportunities and it has been a profound learning experience. Through this, I’ve discovered more about my strengths and abilities. Recently, I organized an open house for my school’s Robotics team, where over 100 people RSVP’d, and 30 teens signed up to join. Thanks to my volunteer work, especially at the library, it helped to ignite my interest in leadership. 

What have you learned through your experiences as a volunteer? 

Volunteering is about much more than just performing acts of service. It’s deeply fulfilling and keeps me connected to my community. If I did not volunteer, my neighborhood might be a bit untidy—but jokes aside, I wouldn’t have the same appreciation for what I have. Through service, I’ve seen the different realities that others face. If I didn’t engage in community outreach, I wouldn’t have known these challenges.  

Tell us about future partnerships, programs or events that you are excited about. 

Next summer, I plan to organize another book drive, and my hope is for it to be as successful as my first. This time around, I will visit even more neighborhoods, extending my reach further than before, in hopes of collecting more books for donation. 

Why is it important for others to get involved with causes they care about? 

If something matters to you, find ways to get involved and spread awareness. For me, volunteering at the library and keeping my neighborhood clean are activities that bring me joy. In all, if you care about a cause, immerse yourself in it and make it enjoyable for both you and others. 

Any advice for people who want to start volunteering? 

It’s simple: get involved! Just be active and engage with your community. For parents, it’s important to encourage kids to start volunteering from a young age rather than waiting until they’re older. As I mentioned before, if you’re passionate about something, find a way to get involved and contribute to your community. 

What do you want people to learn from your story? 

Anyone can make a difference, regardless of age, race, ethnicity, gender or socio-economic status. Don’t let anything hold you back from pursuing what you want to do—get out and be active. 

Libraries are often seen primarily as places for books and quiet study. However, I discovered that they offer much more than tranquility. Our goal is to not only be a valuable resource but also a vibrant community hub where people can connect and have fun.  

Do you want to make a difference in your community like Ejay? Find local volunteer opportunities.