Visiting Wilmette Public Library's summer reading booth is a time honored tradition that goes back decades. (Check out this fantastic story of brothers Michael, David, and Steven Rabin visiting the booth again in 2019 to revisit their experiences from the 1960s.) But did you know that our Summer Reading Club booth is staffed daily by high school students in our community? Consider applying for our Summer Reading Club volunteer program and become part of this powerful literacy legacy!
Here are 5 reasons why you should volunteer at the library this summer, taken directly from the source: teens who have volunteered with us in the past!
Interact with Kids
Many volunteers have fond memories of participating in our summer reading program as kids, so it's an exciting full circle, pay-it-forward moment when they get to be the ones checking in kids at the booth. Most volunteers shared that their favorite part of the program was interacting with kids who were excited about reading, talking with them about their reading lives, and celebrating their successes. As a volunteer, you get to be part of young readers' literacy journeys to affirm their growth and encourage them to keep going.
Express your Love for Libraries
As volunteer JB points out, the library is "a relaxing place to hangout, read, and give book recommendations to people." The library is a fun, free place to spend your time this summer. Volunteers can read during quiet times in the booth, but they also have the chance to help out with other library projects, activities, and programs. You get to learn more about the behind-the-scenes operations of our library—and put your love for books, reading, and libraries into action.
Gain New Skills
Volunteers have shared that they gained new skills by staffing the booth. The list is endless: developing better communication skills, learning how to ask open-ended questions to get kids excited to share their reading experiences, using the die-cut machine, assisting in programs, understanding how our library collections are organized, gaining experience recommending books, and managing their time and responsibilities. Everything you learn in the Summer Reading Club volunteer program provides transferrable skills you can apply to your academic career in the future.
Meet New People
Volunteers get to meet new people all the time, from the children and caregivers they interact with in the booth, to the teen colleagues you share responsibilities with, to the library staff who mentor you. Working with new people can help you get to know future classmates and help you find your people.
Connect to your own Story
Each Summer Reading Club Volunteer has their own reading story. As volunteer Evie shares, "[I volunteered] for the Summer Reading Club because for me reading wasn’t always that easy. When I was younger I would go to the library and a librarian recommend that I try a graphic novel (Sisters by Raina Telgemeier!) This was the first time I realized reading could be fun and I hope to help others, like me, find a joy in reading!" Whether you're a voracious reader or find reading challenging, volunteering at the library is for you. And your own story can help young people know they are not alone.
You can apply to join our Summer Reading Club Volunteer Program starting March 15. Applications will close April 15. Learn more here.