Become a Reading Buddy Volunteer to Help a Child This Fall
Posted on July 16, 2024 at 6:00 am
Spokane County Library District (SCLD) is looking for volunteers to make a difference in students’ reading journeys by joining the Reading Buddy Program. You can help a child improve their reading skills and gain confidence as a reader.
If you love reading and enjoy spending time with kids, consider signing up to volunteer.
The Reading Buddy Program pairs volunteers, as mentors, with elementary school students in grades 1–5. The goal of the program is to support and sustain students’ reading levels while reinforcing reading skills and providing positive adult interaction.
Each Reading Buddy volunteer meets with a student once per week for eight weeks at an elementary school, either before or after the school day. Together, student and volunteer read one-on-one to foster a love of reading.
Current participating schools are:
- Broadway Elementary (Spokane Valley)
- Creekside Elementary (Mead)
- Greenacres Elementary (Spokane Valley)
- McDonald Elementary (Spokane Valley)
- Otis Orchards Elementary (Otis Orchards)
- Pasadena Park Elementary (Spokane Valley)
- Progress Elementary (Spokane Valley)
SCLD works closely with partner schools to identify students who would benefit best from this type of mentorship. Over the years, we’ve seen the positive outcomes go beyond reading improvement, nurturing a love for reading and learning.
Students benefit when hearing stories read or told aloud to them, by having conversations about topics that interest them, and when interacting with another positive, adult role model in their lives.
The requirements for volunteers include the following: You must be age 16 or older, provide consent to a background check, attend an orientation, commit to at least one eight-week session, and apply online at our Volunteer web page. Once you apply, you will receive an email from us with information on how to proceed.
The next Reading Buddy session starts in fall 2024. You will receive a link to our Reading Buddy Volunteer Orientation upon submitting your volunteer application, or you can sign up for the orientation session on our event calendar.
Reading Buddy Volunteer Orientation
ONLINE
Saturday, Aug 17, 9am | REGISTER
Registration is required.
During orientation, we discuss the ways you can help a child improve their reading skills and gain confidence as a reader. We also go over the Reading Buddy and volunteer program in detail, including what to expect when visiting an elementary school and meeting a student, how to choose a book that’s a good fit for the reader, and how to read with your student.
If you have any questions about volunteering for the Reading Buddy Program, please contact Literacy Program Coordinator Melanie Boerner by phone at 509.893.8408 or by email at mboerner@scld.org.
We hope you consider volunteering with the library to help young students improve their reading skills and develop a deeper enjoyment of reading.
Tags: adults, kids, reading, reading buddy, volunteer
