Reading Buddy Program

About the Program

The goal of the Reading Buddy Program is to help children improve their reading skills & gain confidence as readers.

The program pairs volunteers, as mentors, with elementary school students.

Students meet with their reading buddy once per week for 8 weeks at the students’ school to read together one-on-one and foster a love of reading. Each reading buddy is a volunteer who has passed a background check and received training.

The Reading Buddy Program is generously sponsored by Numerica Credit Union.

Partnerships with Local Schools

The Reading Buddy Program is coordinated directly with partner elementary schools and is not offered at our libraries at this time.

“I think there are a lot of people in the community who want to make a difference and are asking ‘How can I help?’ The Reading Buddy Program brings a connection between the needs that the children have at our school and the community who want to help out.

“I do have to offer you a warning, though. If you sign up as a Reading Buddy, you might want to stay for even more volunteering and mentoring because it gets you hooked. You get that connection with the kids, and you can see that you’re making a difference. It’s full of joy, and it’s meaningful. This program has a great impact not only on our students, but I dare to say, on our volunteers too.”

– Scott Krentel, Principal, McDonald Elementary School

If you’re a teacher or administrator of an elementary school in Spokane County and would like to learn about participating in the Reading Buddy Program, please contact Literacy Program Coordinator Melanie Boerner at 509.893.8408 or mboerner@scld.org.

Volunteer to Be a Reading Buddy

You can help a child improve their reading skills & gain confidence as a reader.

A reading buddy is a volunteer who loves reading and enjoys spending time with kids.

As a reading buddy, you meet with an elementary school student once per week for 8 weeks to read together one-on-one and foster a love of reading.

Volunteer Requirements

• Must be 16 years or older
• Provide consent to a background check
• Attend an orientation
• Commit to at least one 8-week session
• Apply online using the Volunteer Application Portal

Reading Buddy Volunteer Orientation

During orientation, you learn how you can help a child improve their reading skills and gain confidence as a reader. We go over the Reading Buddy Program and volunteering, 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.

Orientation is for those age 16 and older. Registration is required for Reading Buddy Volunteer Orientation.

If you have questions about orientation, please email Literacy Program Coordinator Melanie Boerner at 509.893.8408 or mboerner@scld.org.

Reading Buddy Volunteer Application

To get started, you can fill out the volunteer application through our online portal.