Denver Public Library Read Aloud Program
Goals
- To provide children with the opportunity to experience
the love of books and the joy of reading
- To promote the use of The Denver Public Library among
preschoolers, their families and their teachers
- To develop pre-reading skills among Denver's preschoolers
Target Population
Volunteers read to educationally at-risk, low-income
children attending Head Start, Early Childhood Education
centers and other agency programs.
Sessions
Sessions are held in the fall and spring of each school year. The fall session begins in September and ends in December. The spring session begins in January and ends in May. The session length varies from 14 - 17 weeks depending on the school calendar each year.
Volunteer Qualifications
- A love of books and the Library
- A respect for children as unique, important individuals
- A desire to help children learn about themselves and
their world
- A sensitivity to economically disadvantaged children
and their families
- A reliable mode of transportation
- Must be 18 years or older
- Bilingual volunteers are especially needed
Volunteer Responsibilities
- Pick up prepared backpacks once a week at a Denver
Public Library branch
- Prepare for storytimes by reading the books aloud
before class time
- Visit and read to a class once a week for 14 weeks
- Read and discuss the books with the children
- Promote The Denver Public Library resources and services
- Communicate with the teacher and Read Aloud staff
Read Aloud Packet: Information, FAQs and application to volunteer (PDF)
Contact Information
Sarah McNeil
720-865-1308
smcneil@denverlibrary.org
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Becoming a Read Aloud volunteer is one of the many great ways to participate in serving our community. Visit serve.gov for more about sharing the value of service. |
History
The Read Aloud Program originated in 1988 with the Library
Services Construction Act grant. It was designed as
outreach to Denver's children to bring the library into
their communities. Volunteers read on a one time basis.
The program expanded with more grants. Volunteers then read once a week
over a period of time. This expansion allowed the volunteer reader, the
teacher and the children to create a bond with each other as well as with
books and stories.
With a new grant in 1991, funds were used to create a separate Read Aloud
book collection. This enabled readers to leave the books in the classroom
between visits. Also the number of Read Aloud sites grew from 30 to 75
classrooms.
Currently, volunteers read to approximately 1,300 children each week. Each
child who participates will hear about 80 books in a 14 week session and
will receive a gift book at the end.
The Read Aloud Program is generously supported through grants from local
foundations and individual donors.
Research
on Reading Aloud to Children
Below you will find journal articles on the subject
of reading aloud to children. A Denver Public Library
card is required to access these articles from outside
the library or from home. Get
a library card now.
Thanks to our Read Aloud sponsors!
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