Book Hours

Book Hours: Community Service Hours for Your Book Reviews!

Please note: The Book Hours program is not a source for immediate community service hours. We review submissions carefully, and you must be willing to wait at least three days for acceptance, possibly longer during weekends or holidays. If you need community service hours in the extreme short term, please consider a different solution.

**If you are a returning participant, please note changes to the program below, effective immediately.**

Book Hours Review Rules

  • You will receive 1 community service hour per accepted review.
  • You can submit a maximum of 1 review per week.
  • You may receive an extra hour of community service for reading a new book (published within the last year).
  • Open to students in Woodbridge Township and its municipalities in grades 7 through 12.
  • Books must be at least 100 pages long and age or reading level appropriate for the volunteer.
  • Reviews are accepted at the discretion of library staff, and we may not accept a review that does not demonstrate familiarity with the book's content. 
  • Reviews must be at least 250 words, or about two paragraphs.
  • Reviewed books must be in English-- whether originally written or translated.
  • Volunteers submitting reviews that violate ethical academic standards (e.g. plagiarism, use of AI) may be permanently disqualified from participating in the Book Hours program.
  • You cannot review the same book twice.
  • Please note that submissions will be reviewed thoroughly for AI generation and may be rejected based on those results.

Receiving Community Service Credit

  • Please allow 7 days for processing; we will sign volunteer forms or provide confirmation letters by request only. We are unable to sign forms without prior notification that you'll be coming to the library. You must schedule a day and time to have your form signed, to ensure staff availability. 
  • Once your Book Hours Review has been submitted, please contact Teen Services before bringing your community service form for a signature. Forms dropped off without prior arrangement will not be available for at least 24 hours, and possibly longer, pending availability of Teen Services staff.
  • For confirmation requests, to schedule a time to have your sheet signed by staff, or any additional information, please email TeenServices@WoodbridgeLibrary.org. (Please note: If you email us on Friday night, Saturday, or Sunday, we might not respond until Monday.)

Book Hours Submission Form

  2. Your Information

  13. Book Information

  21. Review Information

  25. How many stars would you rate this book?*

  27. Write or paste your full review here. Remember, it should be between 250 and 500 words.

  29. Do you give us permission to use your first name and book review on social media?*

    By selecting 'yes,' you give the Woodbridge Public Library permission to use your first name and last initial (I.e., Sherlock H.) and some or all of your review on social media to promote our Book Hours program.

    30. Leave This Blank:

  32. This field is not part of the form submission.