10/1/2014...10/1/2014 3 using volunteers to expand the walls of the library nuts & bolts...
TRANSCRIPT
10/1/2014
1
Using Volunteers to Expand the
Walls of the Library
Books for Wider Horizons
Sharing books, songs and fun with the children of Oakland since 1994
Began as a cooperative effort between
Head Start and the Library to promote
reading readiness and library awareness
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2
Expanded to
include
Oakland
Unified School
District CDCs
and other
centers
Extends the reach of the Library to
ensure service to preschoolers in all
neighborhoods
• 60 volunteers • 33 sites • 71 weekly storytimes • Over 1300 children served
per week
BWH Outreach
Sites
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3
Using Volunteers to Expand the
Walls of the Library
Nuts & Bolts
Recruitment
43%
36%
10%
8%
2% 1%
Volunteers
Word of Mouth
Volunteer Match
Library School
Flyers
Volunteer Fair
Press Release
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Brief phone screening is
more informative than email
Screening
The Questions Behind the Questions
The Questions Behind the Questions
1. How did you hear about our
program?
2. What interests you about this
volunteer opportunity?
3. Do you understand the training
requirements and volunteer
commitments?
4. Do you have any questions?
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Training
Training Materials
• Binder: contains everything they will need
– Training schedule & course outline
– Program background, scope & reach
– Storytime examples, tools & resources
– Volunteer support resources available
– Mandatory forms & volunteer applications
• Binder: resource to support volunteer over time
– Encouraged to bring to each session
– Contents reviewed in context
– 1 &1/2 inches three ring binder with pockets
– Volunteers often take notes and add materials
– Becomes their one-stop resource overtime
7 Session Training Series:
extensive, hands-on & fun
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Each training cohort experience gives
volunteers a sense of….
accomplishment, camaraderie & pride
Retention
Weekly storytimes are a chance to work with
kids and make a difference…
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…while honing valuable skills
Such as storytelling & public speaking
Workshops & Get-togethers
A chance for volunteers
to grow and learn…
…and spend time with each other
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Encouragement
Communication & Community
Resources
Coordinator Support
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“The children of your community
deserve the very best.”
“The hardest thing you will have to learn”
“You are sufficient as you are.”
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“Creating sacred space where you have
all the time In the world”
Books for Wider Horizons
A Volunteer’s Perspective
My Background
• Retired Middle School Teacher Librarian
• Adult Literacy & GED Volunteer
• “Sigh”
• Too Little Too Late
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Motivation
• Younger the better
• Ad in FOPL (Friends of the Oakland Public
Library) newsletter
• Training by Superstar
Gay Ducey
Commitment: Why I Keep Participating
• 5 years
• Excellent BWH support: Coordinator
Room 6 Collection
Reader’s advisory
Specialty workshops
Get-togethers with other volunteers
But mostly…
THE KIDS!!!!!!
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The Grads!!!!
Why BWH?
Recent newspaper article provides good analogy:
“Chefs unite in fast-food idea to nourish low-income communities”
(Paolo Lucchesi, San Francisco Chronicle, August 25, 2014)
In 2011, Patterson began working with Larkin Street Youth Clinic, which provides services for homeless youth, a
partnership that spawned the Cooking Project, a nonprofit initiative that teaches cooking skills to at-risk young people in
the Tenderloin. He soon realized that kids need to taste more good food before they can - or want to -
make it.
Why BWH?
Recent newspaper article provides good analogy:
“Chefs unite in fast-food idea to nourish low-income communities”
(Paolo Lucchesi, San Francisco Chronicle, August 25, 2014)
In 2011, Patterson began working with Larkin Street Youth Clinic, which provides services for homeless youth, a
partnership that spawned the Cooking Project, a nonprofit initiative that teaches cooking skills to at-risk young people in
the Tenderloin. He soon realized that kids need to taste more good food before they can - or want to -
make it.
"They need to crave
something before they want to
cook it," Patterson said. "What
does every kid eat? Fast
food…“
10/1/2014
13
Why BWH?
Recent newspaper article provides good analogy:
“Chefs unite in fast-food idea to nourish low-income communities”
(Paolo Lucchesi, San Francisco Chronicle, August 25, 2014)
In 2011, Patterson began working with Larkin Street Youth Clinic, which provides services for homeless youth, a
partnership that spawned the Cooking Project, a nonprofit initiative that teaches cooking skills to at-risk young people in
the Tenderloin. He soon realized that kids need to taste more good food before they can - or want to -
make it.
"They need to crave
something before they want to
cook it," Patterson said. "What
does every kid eat? Fast
food…“
In other words, children need to hear
good literature before they can (or
want to) read it. What does every kid
want to hear? An entertaining story…
Why BWH?
Recent newspaper article provides good analogy:
“Chefs unite in fast-food idea to nourish low-income communities”
(Paolo Lucchesi, San Francisco Chronicle, August 25, 2014)
In 2011, Patterson began working with Larkin Street Youth Clinic, which provides services for homeless youth, a
partnership that spawned the Cooking Project, a nonprofit initiative that teaches cooking skills to at-risk young people in
the Tenderloin. He soon realized that kids need to taste more good food before they can - or want to -
make it.
"They need to crave
something before they want to
cook it," Patterson said. "What
does every kid eat? Fast
food…“
"The fact of the matter is if
you want to fix the food
problem in this country, you
should talk to chefs.”
In other words, children need to hear
good literature before they can (or
want to) read it. What does every kid
want to hear? An entertaining story…
Why BWH?
Recent newspaper article provides good analogy:
“Chefs unite in fast-food idea to nourish low-income communities”
(Paolo Lucchesi, San Francisco Chronicle, August 25, 2014)
In 2011, Patterson began working with Larkin Street Youth Clinic, which provides services for homeless youth, a
partnership that spawned the Cooking Project, a nonprofit initiative that teaches cooking skills to at-risk young people in
the Tenderloin. He soon realized that kids need to taste more good food before they can - or want to -
make it.
"They need to crave
something before they want to
cook it," Patterson said. "What
does every kid eat? Fast
food…“
"The fact of the matter is if
you want to fix the food
problem in this country, you
should talk to chefs.”
In other words, children need to hear
good literature before they can (or
want to) read it. What does every kid
want to hear? An entertaining story…
If you want to fix the literacy
problem in this country, you
should talk to a librarian!
10/1/2014
14
• 60 volunteers • 33 sites • 71 weekly storytimes • Over 1300 children served
per week
BWH Outreach
Sites
Your Presenters Have Been:
Gay Ducey – Oakland Public Library
Celia Jackson – Oakland Public Library
Randi Voorhies – Books for Wider Horizons
Laurie Willhalm – [email protected]
(510) 238-3848