First Five Years Volunteers

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.

Responsibilities
  • 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.
  • Promote various library programs that would benefit their children's early literacy and/or their relationship with their children.
  • 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.
  • Excellent communication skills.
  • Knowledge of a language other than English, a plus.
Program Notes
  • Volunteers are asked to make a minimum commitment of two hours per week, for a period of at least six months.
  • 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

Complete an Online Application

See all volunteer opportunities.

Become a Volunteer

Complete an Online Application.

Get Started

 

Contact Volunteer Resources

 volunteer@bklynlibrary.org

 718.230.2406