Volunteer Goes Beyond the Stacks for Her Local Library

Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Dharini Selvakumar. Read her story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.

In 2023, Dharini Selvakumar joined the Carmel Clay Public Library with a quiet determination to get involved through volunteering, a commitment that has since blossomed into over 500 hours of selfless service. Her presence is felt in every corner of the building, from the meticulous organization of Mission Merchandising in the Youth Services Department to the careful stewardship of the library’s seed collection. Whether she is cleaning shelves, setting up for large events or reviewing books to help members find their next great read, Dharini approaches every task with a level of care that ensures the library remains a welcoming sanctuary for the community.

Dharini’s impact soared with the creation of her signature “Coding with Curiosity” workshops. Recognizing a need for accessible tech education, she designed and hosted a series of sessions over three consecutive Saturday mornings in December. These workshops were masterfully executed, showcasing her ability to translate complex concepts into engaging lessons. They also helped foster an environment where young learners felt empowered to explore digital frontiers.

Beyond her technical skills, Dharini is a vital voice in the Teen Library Council, where she collaborates with her peers to brainstorm improvements that enhance the library experience for everyone. Her maturity is a frequent point of praise among the staff, who note her unique ability to bridge generational gaps. While working alongside adults, mentoring fellow teens and guiding young children, Dharini navigates every interaction with a friendly demeanor and a professional poise.

Dharini has become an essential role model and a pillar of the Carmel Clay Public Library community. Her blend of technical expertise, organizational diligence and genuine kindness has left a significant mark on the institution. Read on to her more of her story.

Tell us about your volunteer role.

At the library, they don’t really have one set role. It’s more like a series of activities that I like, and whichever one we have time for, we go and do it. I really love writing the reviews for the library. There are so many books there, and many people don’t get the time to see which ones they want to pick. As volunteers, we read them—especially if they were published within the last two years—and then we provide handwritten or online reviews. If the review is good, the library publishes it on their website, and then people will read it to pick out their books. This is very impactful from my perspective, because when I’m looking for books, I don’t always have time to read every summary. Instead, I read a review that a volunteer wrote, and usually, the reviews are pretty accurate.

I also do a lot of in-person volunteering, such as shelf straightening, dusting, cleaning and setting up for events. I have conducted some events myself for kids in elementary and middle school. I taught them things like drawing and math, at no cost, and that was a great experience. I also volunteer in the lab area for kids where I help them and talk to many people. I have a lot of interaction with the guests who come to the library, updating them on the new kits available. I do many things around the library—small tasks that help it run.

What inspired you to get started with this initiative?

When I was in middle school, they told me at school that there was an opportunity for volunteering at the library. I really love reading and writing, and the library was one of the places I used to go to a lot. I decided to start there, and I ended up loving it. I’m still doing it, and I hope to keep doing it for a long time.

Which programs at the library are you most excited about?

Right now, I am on winter break from school. During the winter, the library conducts many reading programs with prizes and challenges. I have finished some of their challenges, such as the goal to read 100 books before graduating high school to earn a gift basket. I get really excited about those. There are also reading programs where you read and participate in activities, and there is a lot of social interaction during those events.

I’m also part of the Teen Library Council, a council where we plan what events we host at the library. I am always excited to go to those meetings because I get to interact with people who are like-minded. I enjoy being involved in the planning process for the people who come in. When I am actually at the event, I see so many people who are participating in what we planned, and it’s really fun.

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

Mostly, I really love how much social interaction I have. Looking toward my career when I am older and go to college, I want to become a doctor—specifically a cardiologist—and that involves a lot of interaction with people. I love talking to new people and making connections. I have met many people outside of the library that I have talked to before, and now I have many connections that I can reach out to. It’s just about helping people. There are so many little kids who come to the library, and every time I help them, they become happy. I feel good that I can help them.

What have you learned through your experiences volunteering?

I used to be introverted. Now I am really extroverted, but when I was introverted, I just didn’t talk to a lot of people. Over my time at the library, I realized that you can’t really reach out or make connections with people if you don’t go out to them first; most people just don’t come up to you to build that connection. If you want it, you are the one who has to go and attempt to make that connection.

Once I started willingly going up to people first and just talking to them, I started realizing that so many people—even those who don’t look the part—are actually interested in talking to you. Even if you are not related to them, they just want to have a conversation. It is not always about something super important; they just like talking to other people willingly, without having a hidden motive. I have grown my social skills so much through that, and now it is really helping me in other programs and things that I do.

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

Number one, when you become older, you’re going to have less time. Let’s be real; we all have so much going on, and even in high school, I don’t really have that much time. So I would recommend you start volunteering in middle school, because the more you get used to the environment you care about, the more you understand that this can be really impactful and helpful.

Through volunteering, you’re also able to realize your passions and know what you really want to do in the future. It’s important to help the community and all of the things that have helped you. The younger you are when you start, the more you get to learn and build your skills. It is not just social skills, but also communication and interpersonal soft skills that school or an office wouldn’t necessarily teach you. These are experience-based skills that you wouldn’t get otherwise if you don’t volunteer young. Then, you can build on those.

Any advice for people who want to start volunteering?

While it is good to care about your applications, volunteering is something you have to do wholeheartedly—it should be something you want to do, not just for service hours. Definitely volunteer where you want to be and, in an environment where you are comfortable and can build your passion. Do something that interests you.

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