First Five Years Volunteer

Assist library staff with programs, providing experiences with books in language rich environments, so that young children will develop the skills they will need to be successful in school.

Purpose of Assignment

To supplement the First Five Years programs, Brooklyn Public Library's spectrum of services for children birth through age five, bringing developmentally appropriate, early literacy programs across the borough of Brooklyn, volunteers will assist library staff, providing experiences with books in language rich environments, so that young children will develop the skills they will need to be successful in school. The First Five Years programs include: Babies and Books (From birth to 18 months), Toddler Time (From 18 months to 3 years), Preschool Story Time (From 3 to 5 years), and Story Play (From birth to 5 years). Volunteers may participate in one or more of these formal programs, OR be available in the First Five Years space, when formal programs are not being delivered. This volunteer assignment will assist in helping make an even greater difference in the lives of children during these important early years.

Responsibilities

• Meet and greet families and provide orientation to the library.
• Direct parents/caregivers to appropriate books or materials, based on their questions and age of their children
• Assist in selecting appropriate books, toys, and rugs for children.
• Read stories and rhymes aloud to children and their parents/caregivers
• Perform fingerplays, when appropriate
• Introduce and play with toys, when appropriate.
• Discuss the importance of reading aloud to children, as well as information on BPL services.
• Promote various library programs that would benefit their children's early literacy and/or their relationship with their child.
• Promote the use of the Library and its resources by referring families to specialists at the Library, when appropriate.
• Find creative ways to display and market First Five Years books and materials.
• Assist in the maintenance of the First Five Years child friendly space in the library, including picking up, and collecting books to be re-shelved, washing toys and cleaning up, as needed.

Required Skills

• A strong commitment to helping provide experiences in the first five years of life, laying the foundations for future learning.
• Experience working with children, from birth to five years, and their parents and caregivers, formally or informally.
• Ability to be comfortable working with and speaking to parents and caregivers in a library setting.
• A friendly, respectful, and approachable manner and the ability to get along with diverse groups of people.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Knowledge of a language other than English, a plus.
• First Five Years Program Volunteers are asked to make a minimum commitment of one day a week, for at least 2 hours, for a period of at least 6 months.
• Volunteers are required to attend a training workshop, and an on-site orientation.
• BPL will conduct an investigative background check on volunteers 18 and older, which may be used when considering a prospective volunteer's application.

How to Apply

1. Complete an Online Application or:
2. Print Application and mail it to:

Volunteer Resources
Brooklyn Public Library
Grand Army Plaza
Brooklyn, NY 11238

We will review your application, and if there are any possible matches with currently available volunteer opportunities, we will invite you to attend an information session and interview.

For further information, please contact Volunteer Resources at 718-230-2406 or e-mail us at
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