BCPL Story Timers - Volunteer Opportunities page.
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The navigation path to this page is: Home > Birth to Five > Story Timers > Volunteer Opportunity Descriptions.

Story Timers Volunteer Opportunities

The Baltimore County Public Library's STORY TIMERS offers several different volunteer opportunities. Volunteers are encouraged to choose from the opportunities below. After you've selected a specific opportunity, special consideration will be placed on your interest, skill, and availability to find the perfect match just for you. Opportunities include:

Branch Story Time Presenter

These volunteers will perform fun story times for babies and young kids at branch locations around the county. The story times will be prearranged with the Early Literacy Volunteer Program Coordinator and volunteer, based on individual branch's needs. Daytime availability during the week or weekend is desired for this position. Evening story times also are available at certain branches.

Some personal qualities of these volunteers will include:

• Flexibility
• Timeliness
• Positive demeanor
• Ease with interacting with infants and young children
• Genuine love of children

Skills that will help volunteers in this position include:

• Good presentation skills
• Ability to deal with different groups of people

Training Period:

• Volunteers will observe one story time presentation and assist on 2-3 story times or until such time the volunteer and Early Literacy Volunteer Program Coordinator conclude that the volunteer is ready to deliver the story times autonomously, not to exceed 4 supervised presentations.
  
• Volunteers are required to attend at least one additional early childhood education training offered at BCPL through the Early Literacy Program each year while they are members of STORY TIMERS.

Outreach Story Time Presenter

These volunteers will travel to childcare facilities and family day care providers and take story times to children who can't get to the library. Volunteers will perform fun story times for babies and young children around the county. The story times will be prearranged with the Early Literacy Volunteer Program Coordinator and volunteer, based on the volunteer's schedule and childcare facility needs. Weekday availability is essential for this volunteer opportunity, as most facilities are only open Monday through Friday.

Some personal qualities of these volunteers will include:

• Outgoing personality
• Flexibility
• Timeliness
• Positive demeanor

Skills that will help volunteers in this position include:

• Good writing skills
• Ability to deal with different groups of people

Training Period:

• Volunteers will observe one story time presentation and assist on 2-3 story times or until such time the volunteer and Early Literacy Volunteer Program Coordinator conclude that the volunteer is ready to deliver the story times autonomously, not to exceed 4 supervised presentations.
  
• Volunteers are required to attend at least one additional early childhood education training offered at BCPL through the Early Literacy Program each year while they are members of STORY TIMERS.

Volunteer Newsletter Writer

These creative volunteers will work independently developing stories about other volunteers and Early Literacy programs. Stories will need approval from the Early Literacy Volunteer Program Coordinator, and BCPL reserves the right to edit your stories.

Some personal qualities of these volunteers will include:

• Outgoing personality
• Flexibility
• Adherence to deadlines
• Positive demeanor

Skills that will help volunteers in this position include:

• Good writing skills.
• Ability to deal with different groups of people.

Community Outreach Liaison

Volunteers will travel to various locations throughout the county and give an informational session to parents, caregivers, or students. The sessions will be preplanned with the Early Literacy Volunteer Program Coordinator and are from 45 minutes to two hours. Liaisons will be given presentation materials including PowerPoint presentations, videos, handouts, and books.

This position also is responsible for being familiar with early literacy facts, answering questions about BCPL's Early Literacy Programs, displaying Baby Booster Kits, and customer service.

Volunteers will need some week day/evening availability for this job.

Some personal qualities of these volunteers will include:

• Outgoing personality
• Flexibility
• Timeliness
• Genuine love of children

Skills that will help volunteers in this position include (but are not mandatory):

• Good public speaking skills
• Basic computer knowledge
• Early childhood development knowledge (training provided)

Training Period:

• Volunteers will observe one community outreach presentation and assist on 1-2 presentations or until such time the volunteer and Early Literacy Volunteer Program Coordinator conclude that the volunteer is ready to deliver the presentations autonomously, not to exceed 3 supervised presentations.
  
• Volunteers are required to attend system in-services on baby programs and one additional early childhood education training offered at BCPL each year while they are members of STORY TIMERS. Specific information about the growth and development of children is addressed during training period.

Behind-the-Scenes Associate

These volunteers will recruit audiences for Early Literacy Programs, create program materials and dream up new story time ideas for implementation. Volunteers will need to be available weekdays during normal business hours (8 am - 5:30 pm). Scheduling will be completed taking into consideration the volunteer's needs and office resources available. Time commitment is at least one and up to three days per week.

Some personal qualities of these volunteers will include:

• Pleasant phone manner
• Creativity
• Timeliness
• Strong organizational skills
• Positive demeanor
• Genuine love of children

Skills that will help volunteers in this position include:

• Ability to deal with different groups of people
• Ability to work independently or with a team

Training Period:

• Volunteers will work one-on-one with the Early Literacy Volunteer Program Coordinator.

Create Your Own Volunteer Opportunity

• To be determined with the Early Literacy Volunteer Program Coordinator and volunteer.

* All applicants need a driver's license or access to dependable transportation.
** All positions require completion of STORY TIMERS Training and Orientation.

This page is provided by the Baltimore County Public Library, Towson, Maryland USA.
The text version of this page was last revised on 26 August 2008.
The graphics version of this page was last revised on 26 August 2008.
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