Learning how to read and being read to are things that many children carry with them into adulthood. Through reading programs at area libraries, local teens have the opportunity to be part of that fundamental experience.
This is the first summer the Upper Arlington Public Library will offer its Book Buddies program at its Lane Road and Miller Park branches. Book Buddies, which assists incoming first-through third-graders with their reading, has been offered at the Main Branch for more than five years, says Dena Little, youth services manager.
“Throughout the years, many of the parents of those children who have participated have shared with us how much they would love to see Book Buddies offered at their home location,” Little says.
Hosting Book Buddies at additional locations also allows the teen volunteers to volunteer at the library closest to them, Little says. The volunteers – or “Big Buddies” – can be enrolled in grades six through 12.
The majority of the Big and Little Buddies come from Upper Arlington City Schools. They meet once a week.
Buddies Abound
During the five-week program, the Big Buddies act as reading coaches and a support system for their Little Buddies. The Little Buddies select reading material from a cart that contains both fiction and nonfiction, categorized by reading levels. Little says she includes materials for everyone from the very beginning readers to advanced early readers, who might prefer practicing with chapter books.
When the Little Buddies arrive, they are matched with Big Buddies, but they are not guaranteed the same buddy each week unless the Little Buddy expresses a need for consistency. After the matching, the buddies take a seat together and work on a literacy worksheet, such as a crossword puzzle. After the worksheets are completed, the reading begins. The last five minutes are dedicated to a read-aloud session led by one of the Big Buddies.
“(Big Buddies help) to sound out letters or words when needed, and gently nudge (Little Buddies) to tackle more challenging books as the hour progresses,” Little says. “The magic of the program is that often all a new reader needs is a new ear – someone who doesn’t have any expectations of his or her reading ability.”
The goal of Book Buddies is to help the younger children not only become more confident with their reading, but also gain valuable social skills. Little says she has seen many children reap the benefits, but one story does stick out.
“I remember one child last year who, at the beginning of summer, would cry and cling to her mother because she didn’t want to practice her reading,” Little says. “She was scared of the situation. By the end of the five weeks, this same child came in happy, with a big smile, and sat reading with her Big Buddy.”
Little Buddies at any reading level can enroll in the program. Each year, Little says, the library sees a huge range of ability. If a child has a learning disability, parents contact the library so Little can make proper accommodations and pair the child with an appropriate Big Buddy.
For the Big Buddies, Little says, participating in the program as a volunteer is often their favorite way to earn service hours.
“They get to help little kids in an environment they are comfortable in,” Little says. “Most of the Big Buddies volunteer because they really do enjoy helping the little kids with their reading, and many of the teens come back to volunteer every single year.”
Teen volunteers can earn up to six service hours by participating in Book Buddies. These service hours can be used toward the service requirements in Upper Arlington schools, Little says.
GRANDVIEW LIBRARY SIDEBAR:
Grandview Heights Public Library’s Reading Club
Since the mid-1980s, the Grandview Heights Public Library’s own reading club has been a staple program and a favorite among young children and teens alike.
Teen volunteers – or “Volunteens” – must be entering the seventh grade in order to participate as volunteers for the Kids’ Summer Reading Club, which is open to children from birth to sixth grade.
During the 10-week program, children keep a reading log and must clock 20 hours of reading total. This breaks down to about 20 minutes a day. For every four hours a child reads, he or she earns a prize. The prize could be anything from a book to a coupon. During the program, the Volunteens manage the prize table and interact with the children.
“It always surprises me how you can get kids who are quiet, but they open up and are really warm with the other kids,” says Jennifer Lawson, teen librarian at the Grandview library. “That brings a lot of joy to us.”
Children can earn their reading hours by reading blogs, graphic novels or anything else that makes them happy, Lawson says. They can also listen to audio books, or be read to by a family member or Volunteen.
Last year, the library faced an obstacle with its reading program. It was the first year that service hours were not required through Grandview Heights City Schools. Lawson says she feared few teen volunteers would want to participate in the program if there were no incentive.
She was pleasantly surprised.
“We kind of panicked, but we saw a much smaller decline than we expected,” Lawson says. “There were more kids who came because they want to be here, not because they have to be here.”
The library’s 2015 Kids’ Summer Reading Club concludes Aug. 1.
Hannah Bealer is an assistant editor. Feedback welcome at ssole@cityscenemediagroup.com.
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