the children of Oakland since 1994 Began as a cooperative effort - PDF document

10/1/2014 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 1

10/1/2014 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 2

10/1/2014 Using Volunteers to Expand the Walls of the Library Nuts & Bolts Recruitment Volunteers 2% 1% 8% Word of Mouth 10% Volunteer Match 43% Library School Flyers Volunteer Fair Press Release 36% 3

10/1/2014 Screening Brief phone screening is more informative than email 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? 4

10/1/2014 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 5

10/1/2014 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… 6

10/1/2014 …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 7

10/1/2014 Encouragement Communication & Community Resources Coordinator Support 8

10/1/2014 “The children of your community deserve the very best.” “ The hardest thing you will have to learn” “ You are sufficient as you are .” 9

10/1/2014 “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 10

10/1/2014 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!!!!!! 11

10/1/2014 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…“ 12

10/1/2014 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 In other words, children need to hear something before they want to good literature before they can (or cook it," Patterson said. "What want to) read it. What does every kid does every kid eat? Fast want to hear? An entertaining story… food…“ 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 In other words, children need to hear something before they want to good literature before they can (or cook it," Patterson said. "What want to) read it. What does every kid want to hear? An entertaining story… 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.” 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 In other words, children need to hear something before they want to good literature before they can (or cook it," Patterson said. "What want to) read it. What does every kid does every kid eat? Fast want to hear? An entertaining story… food…“ "The fact of the matter is if If you want to fix the literacy you want to fix the food problem in this country, you problem in this country, you should talk to a librarian! should talk to chefs.” 13

10/1/2014 • 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 – lwillhalm@oaklandlibrary.org (510) 238-3848 14