Volunteers Needed For OKC's Come Read With Me Program

Spring Come Read with Me sessions begin in community locations soon, and volunteers are at the top of the need list. Sessions start the first week of February and last until the end of April.

Kids can participate in the fun at the Boys and Girls Club, Cleveland Elementary, John Rex Elementary, and Heronville Elementary.

"The Come Read with Me program is a unique opportunity for the library to go out in the community and create an opportunity for kids to fall in love with reading, "said Angie Walton, program coordinator." We provide quality, age appropriate reading materials and knowledgeable volunteers and facilitators."

The concept is simple. Volunteers choose a site, then come in and read with kids after school. Children also have the opportunity to read aloud to the volunteer or buddy-read with a peer. Not only are they reading or listening to stories, but they are also getting nurtured by that one-on-one attention. Sessions last for one hour and are held twice a week.

"The intention of Come Read with Me is to foster a lifelong love of reading while allowing children to practice their literacy skills in a safe and fun environment. Sometimes kids can't make it to the library, so we come to them," Walton explained.

To change the life of a child through reading in one to two hours a week, visit www.supportmls.org/volunteer to find a Come Read with Me opportunity. Fill out the application to be approved in time for sessions to begin.

The Metropolitan Library System also has many other volunteer opportunities.

"We always need homework help tutors, storytime assistants, and therapy dogs teams," said volunteer Coordinator, Heidi Port. "The Friends of the Library Book Sale is also coming up on Feb.20-22, and we need hundreds of volunteers to make it all happen! Just go to www.supportmls.org to sign up."