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Book Time Volunteer Program

Volunteers are needed to help spread the Book Time With Your Baby message, to demonstrate ways of sharing books with infants and toddlers, and to offer caregivers and children some happy, book-related moments. The Library looks forward to working with outgoing, book-loving people who are interested in babies, toddlers, and their caregivers.

Volunteers must have a genuine interest in helping children, and need to be comfortable with infants and toddlers. They need to be able to deal with the unexpected. There may be some flexibility in scheduling. Once a commitment is made, however, it is important that it is honored by volunteers. It takes work for parents or caregivers to bring babies and toddlers to programs. We need to be sure that the programs will be conducted as advertised.

Volunteer Activities:

• Conducting storytimes for babies and toddlers at outreach sites, including clinic waiting areas
• Assisting Book Time staff with administrative activities
• Other activities assigned by host sites

Skills needed:

• Volunteers must be able to deal effectively with people, and need to be comfortable interacting with infants and toddlers.
• Volunteers must be able to reach, bend, stretch, stoop and lift from both standing and sitting positions.
• Volunteers must be able to lift up to 10 pounds.
• Volunteers must have the ability to transport themselves to their assigned activity.
• Volunteers must have basic oral and written communication skills.
• Volunteers must have the ability to follow oral and written directions.
• The skill requirements of other participating agencies may also have to be met.
  

Training required:
A training session of approximately 3 hours will be required by the Library. Topics covered during this training will include:

• Information on the Book Time initiative and its message
• Summary of recent research related to early childhood development
• Techniques for reading with babies and toddlers
• Information about the Duluth Public Library
• Preparation for answering questions from parents

Volunteers may also be required to accompany Library staff to one or more Book Time programs for "on the job" training. Further orientation or training may be required by participating agencies.

Time Required:
Individual volunteer activities will usually require a time commitment ranging from 1 to 3 hours, plus preparation time as needed.

Additional Information:

• Volunteers will not be responsible for supervising children.
• Volunteers may work in pairs, depending on the program.

Background Checks
Because of the special nature of these volunteer positions, which involve working directly with vulnerable people, background checks will be conducted on applicants wishing to participate. The City of Duluth conducts the checks, and refusal to allow such a background check, or significant negative results of such a check, will cause the Library to refuse an applicant a volunteer position. Applicants who apply for positions which require a background check will be notified and must provide their written permission before the check is conducted.

For further information or to apply, contact
Susan Schumacher
Book Time Volunteer Coordinator, 730-4200/option 4,
Or
Judy Sheriff, Youth Services Manager, 730-4211
Duluth Public Library

4/27/06
Duluth Public Library, 520 W. Superior St., Duluth, MN 55802