Summer is on the horizon and while you’re breaking out your flip flops, stocking up on sunscreen and pondering your Summer Reading goal, don’t forget to add volunteering to your summer bucket-list. The library has lots of ways, both one-time and ongoing, to squeeze in helping others while you enjoy this sunny season.

First off, we’ll be hosting our 17th annual Summer Reading Extravaganza, an all-day, family-friendly festival celebrating Summer Reading. More than 100 volunteers help out on this day by facilitating fun activities ranging from reading games or arts-and-crafts to STEM experiments and musical performances. Volunteers can help out for a two-hour shift or the full day, and families can volunteer together, too.

For volunteers looking more for an ongoing opportunity, we’ve got role for that, too:

Our Summer Reading Program is looking for volunteers at CLP- Downtown & Business, Squirrel Hill and Woods Run. You might already know that Summer Reading is kind of a big deal around here, but you might not know how important volunteers are to making it happen.  As children, families and adults stream into the library to sign up, log their books and earn prizes, volunteers are there to help them. Folks who love reading and who feel comfortable using a computer can take participation in Summer Reading to a new level by helping others get involved — click on a location name for more information about the times and days when volunteers are needed there.

For volunteers who really want to get hands-on experience working with kids, a great option is to join our Summer Reading Buddies Program, at CLP- Allegheny, Hill District, Knoxville or Sheraden.  If Extravaganza sounds cool to you, do it all summer long by reading to, playing with and mentoring kids in the library for 2-hours each week. Each location will be hosting a brief volunteer orientation session in early June so you can learn the ropes and get started with us quickly.  (If you enjoy your summer experience, you can stay on as a Reading Buddy during the school year, too!)

All of these opportunities are open to volunteers who are 15 or older; we hope that you considering joining us and making this the best summer ever!

-Ginny

Ginny is a baker of treats, reader of fiction and Coordinator of Volunteer Services based out of the Office of Programs and Partnerships at CLP – East Liberty. She wants to pet your dog.