What is the Coast Capital Reading Buddies program?
The Coast Capital Reading Buddies program is a practice reading session for kids in Grades 2-4 wanting to improve their reading skills in a safe, non-threatening environment. High school students offer their time and expertise by ‘buddying up’ with a child to enjoy reading together and supporting emerging readers. The Coast Capital
Reading Buddies program is NOT designed to teach children how to read.
Coast Capital Reading Buddies Child Application
Format
Each Coast Capital Reading Buddies session runs for 60 minutes for a 6-week period, after school. Parents are required to bring their children to the Library, and wait for them while they participate in the program. Each child is paired with a teen volunteer. The ‘Buddy Pairs” will work together over the six- week period, creating an opportunity to get acquainted. The program will include both individual reading experience, plus group reading and fun literacy-based games.
Audience
All children are welcome to participate in this program. Children who do not have a parent who speaks English as their first language may benefit most from this program. Given limited space in the program, parents will be asked to fill in a Reader Application form indicating their interest.Children will be selected randomly by lottery and called by library staff if they are selected. Each location is looking for a maximum of 25 children.
Training
Each Coast Capital Reading Buddies volunteer has received training to orient him or her to staff and resources available at the Library, to learn about working with children and helping them to read, and to understand their responsibilities in keeping the children safe.
Spring 2010 Timelines
This session will run for six weeks. Children will be assigned to one session per week. Children must attend all sessions unless they are ill.
Fleetwood Library: Tuesdays from 4:00-5:00pm from April 6-May 11.
Guildford Library: Tuesdays from 3:30-4:30pm from March 30- May 4.
Newton Library: Fridays from 3:30-4:30pm from March 19 –April 30. No program April 2 (Library is closed).
Strawberry Hill Library: Wednesdays from 3:30 -4:30pm from April 21-May 26.
Teen Volunteers WANTED!
As a Coast Capital Reading Buddies Volunteer, you are a role model to a young reader, practicing reading with your buddy and engaging in fun literacy activities. Each session includes group and buddy reading, as well as literacy-related games.The Coast Capital Reading Buddy Program is six weeks in length.
Spring 2010
The spring 2010 session will run from March - May, depending on the location. The actual program is 1.5 hours per week for six weeks. You will be expected to arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of each program and stay 15 minutes after the program finishes to help clean up. The time commitment in total is 1.5 hours weekly x 7 weeks = 10.5 hours. This includes your training session normally held the week before the session begins. You must attend all sessions unless you are ill. There will be no exceptions.
Qualifications:
How to Apply:
If you would like to become a Coast Capital Reading Buddy Volunteer, you must apply online. Library staff will contact you for an interview. Once you have met with the Librarian and are accepted into the program, you will be asked to pass Security Check through the Surrey RCMP. If you do not have a computer to apply online, please visit the branch where you want to volunteer and speak with the Youth Services Librarian.
Training Provided:
Once you have been accepted into the program, you will be contacted about training and orientation. A 90-minute training session is provided normally during the week prior to the start of the program. This is mandatory. If you do not attend training, you will not be accepted into the program.
Benefits of Volunteering with this program:
Helping young readers enhance their literacy skills
Opportunity for direct community involvement
Reference letter provided to those volunteers who have completed the six week program
Can be used to fulfill CAPP requirements
Surrey Public Library volunteer status
Have fun!
Time Commitment:
Six week program – volunteers must commit to attend and participate in all six weeks (1.5 hours weekly)
Locations: Fleetwood Library, Guildford Library, Newton Library and Strawberry Hill Library
Frequently Asked Questions/ Information on how to sign up
Youth Services Librarians hosting the program:
Please feel free to contact any of the Librarians if you have questions or concerns regarding the program.
Program Coordinator Julie Calendino, 604-598-7354
Fax: 604-598-7354 jncalendino@surrey.ca
Strawberry Hill Victor Or, 604-501-5844
Fax: 604-501-5846 vcor@surrey.ca
Fleetwood Jennie Castleton, 604-598-7351
Fax: 604-598-7341 jcastleton@surrey.ca
Newton Ruby Weinshenker, 604-598-7413
Fax: 604-598-7401 rbweinshenker@surrey.ca
Guildford Jennifer Wile, 604-598-7378
Fax: 604-598-7361 jrwile@surrey.ca