Be a Study Zone READING BUDDY at the White Center Library!

Help students practice and get excited about reading! Volunteer to be a Study Zone Reading Buddy!

Study Zone provides multiple academic supports for K-12 students in the library and online via Zoom and we need dedicated volunteers to help us host our programs.

We currently need volunteers for Reading Buddies at White Center Library on shifts during Mondays through Thursdays 4:00-7:30pm.

Contact Destinee Sutton (drsutton@kcls.org or 206.243.0233) at White Center Library for more information and to complete a volunteer interview.

Reading Buddy duties include:

• Share eBooks on a tablet and navigate through the pages as students read. A KCLS librarian rotates the book selection ever two weeks. Students may also bring a physical book to share.
• Coach 1-2 students at a time on pronunciation, pace, comprehension, etc. Students are paired by reading level.
• Keep track of student reading time. When the program is full and more students are waiting, a 30-minute limit will be implemented.

The 1-hour weekly commitment is through the end of each session, depending on when you begin (February-June, July-August, September-January). The program is closed during school holidays/vacations (except spring break) and for two weeks at the beginning and end of summer. Academic community service credit is available for students. Schedules vary at each library and new days/locations are being added; please contact the program coordinator for possible schedules at the libraries in your area. If your preferred library is currently full, you can volunteer at a nearby location or in the online Zoom program. Study Zone programs are offered as a free service of the King County Library System.

King County Library System volunteers must be Washington State residents and pass a WA State Patrol background check. Study Zone Reading Buddies must be at least 15 years or an adult. Applications to be a Study Zone tutor are accepted throughout the year. Training and support provided.

What Study Zone volunteers say about the in-library version of our service:

"Being a Study Zone tutor has been very fulfilling. I love to work with kids, helping them become more confident in school. The best thing about Study Zone for me has been seeing students happy when they finish their homework, as well as being a role model for them."

"Study Zone has given me the opportunity to help students, like me, in a meaningful way. It's nice knowing that you changed a little bit of someone's life."

"I really enjoyed making a connection with my students. This is an incredible program, and I am happy to have been a volunteer for the KCLS library system."