Book Buddies
Book Buddies pairs teens and kids with the goal of improving kids’ confidence in their reading skills. Kids in grades K-3 are matched with teen volunteers and spend 30 minutes each week reading aloud during the 6-week series. A limited number will be able to participate and may be chosen by lottery.
- Submit an application January 5-16.
- K-3 grade readers will be notified via email no later than January 26.
- Parents/caregivers must confirm by January 31.
Sessions
Teens attend 6:15-7:15 p.m. Kids assigned at 6:15 or 6:45 p.m.
Parents/caregivers must remain in the library during the program at branches.
| Bridgeton Trails Branch | Wednesdays, February 7–March 13 |
| Grand Glaize Branch | Tuesdays, February 6–March 12 |
| Jamestown Bluffs Branch | Tuesdays, February 6–March 12 |
| Meramec Valley Branch | Mondays, February 5–March 25 (No sessions February 19 and March 18) |
| Natural Bridge Branch | Wednesdays, February 7–March 13 |
| Parkview Branch | Wednesdays, February 7–March 13 |
| Prairie Commons Branch | Thursdays, February 8–March 14 |
| Thornhill Branch | Mondays, February 5-March 25 (No sessions February 19 and March 18) |
Virtual Option
Teens attend 6:00-7:15 p.m. Kids assigned at 6:00 or 6:45 p.m.
| Zoom | Tuesdays, February 6–March 12 |
Teen Volunteers
Open to ages 12-17. Ages 14-17 are eligible for the virtual option.
- Teen applicants chosen for a brief interview by phone or Zoom will be contacted by January 25.
- Teen volunteers must attend training and commit to all weekly sessions for the entire 6-week period.
- Teens will earn volunteer hours. Absences may result in forfeiting all earned volunteer hours.
Training
| Bridgeton Trails Branch | Wednesday, January 31, 6:15 p.m. |
| Grand Glaize Branch | Tuesday, January 30, 6:15 p.m. |
| Jamestown Bluffs Branch | Tuesday, January 30, 6:15 p.m. |
| Meramec Valley Branch | Monday, January 29, 6:15 p.m. |
| Natural Bridge Branch | Wednesday, January 31, 6:15 p.m. |
| Parkview Branch | Wednesday, January 31, 6:15 p.m. |
| Prairie Commons Branch | Thursday, February 1, 6:15 p.m. |
| Thornhill Branch | Monday, January 29, 6:15 p.m. |
Virtual Option
| Zoom | Tuesday, January 30, 6:00 p.m. |
Virtual Book Buddies Applicants
By registering and participating in the Library’s virtual program, you understand that the video and audio content is streamed to other participants if your microphone or video camera are on. Anyone under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian’s permission to participate and anyone age 9 or younger must have direct adult supervision for the duration of the program.
In order to continue providing access to Library programs through Zoom, the Library was required to consent to Zoom’s educational data collection practices. By participating in virtual Library programs through Zoom, you are consenting to Zoom’s collection and use of the personal information described in Zoom’s Educational Privacy Statement. If you do not wish for Zoom to collect or use personal information from you and/or your child(ren), do not participate in this virtual Library program.