|
Story Timers Early Literacy Volunteer Program
The Baltimore County Public Library's STORY TIMERS offers two basic volunteer opportunities. Volunteers are encouraged to choose from the opportunities below. After you have made a selection and submitted an application, special consideration will be placed on your interest, skill, and availability to find the perfect match just for you. Opportunities include: Branch Story Time Presenter and Outreach Story Time Presenter
Branch Story Time Presenter
These volunteers will perform fun story times for babies and/or young children at Baltimore County Public Library branch locations around the county. The story times will be prearranged with the Early Literacy Volunteer Program Coordinator and the volunteer, based on each branch's needs. Daytime availability during the week or weekend is desired for this position. Evening story times also are available at certain branches.
Some personal qualities of these volunteers will include:
-
Flexibility
-
Reliability
-
Timeliness
-
Positive demeanor
-
Ease with interacting with infants and young children
-
Genuine love of children
Skills that will help volunteers in this position include:
-
Good presentation skills
-
Ability to deal with different groups of people
Mentorship Period:
-
Potential volunteers are strongly encouraged to observe at least one story time at any Baltimore County Public Library branch prior to submitting an application.
-
Potential volunteers must attend a 4 hour orientation held only in the spring and fall each year.
-
Once a branch schedule has been established (typically the same day once a month - for example, the third Wednesday of the month at 10:30 a.m.), volunteers will observe their mentor present the first story time, then assist the mentor with the second and third story times. Volunteers will plan and present their fourth, fifth and sixth story times with the mentor's support. The mentor and volunteer will jointly decide when the volunteer is ready to deliver story times autonomously.
-
Volunteers are required to commit to the Story Timers program for a minimum of one year after completion of the mentorship period.
While they are members of STORY TIMERS, volunteers are strongly encouraged to attend at least one additional early childhood education training opportunity offered at Baltimore County Public Library through the Early Literacy Program each year.
Outreach Story Time Presenter (as-needed)
These volunteers may travel to childcare facilities and family day care providers and take story times to children who can't get to the library. Volunteers will perform fun story times for babies and young children around the county. The story times will be prearranged with the Early Literacy Volunteer Program Coordinator and the volunteer, based on the volunteer's schedule and childcare facility needs. Weekday availability is essential for this volunteer opportunity, as most facilities are only open Monday through Friday.
Some personal qualities of these volunteers will include:
-
Outgoing personality
-
Flexibility
-
Timeliness
-
Positive demeanor
Skills that will help volunteers in this position include:
-
Good writing skills
-
Ability to deal with different groups of people
Mentorship Period:
-
Potential volunteers are strongly encouraged to observe at least one story time at any Baltimore County Public Library branch prior to submitting an application.
-
Potential volunteers must attend a 4 hour orientation held only in the spring and fall each year.
-
Once an outreach schedule has been established (typically the same day once a month - for example, the third Wednesday of the month at 10:30 a.m.), volunteers will observe their mentor present the first story time, then assist the mentor with the second and third story times. Volunteers will plan and present their fourth, fifth and sixth story times with the mentor's support. The mentor and volunteer will jointly decide when the volunteer is ready to deliver story times autonomously.
-
Volunteers are required to commit to the Story Timers program for a minimum of one year after completion of the mentorship period.
While they are members of STORY TIMERS, volunteers are strongly encouraged to attend at least one additional early childhood education training offered at BCPL through the Early Literacy Program each year
* All applicants must have a driver's license or access to dependable transportation.
** All positions require completion of STORY TIMERS Orientation and Mentorship.

|
