SPREADING OUR PASSION FOR LITERACY THROUGH READ ALOUDS
Our Read Aloud program connects volunteer readers with underserved 3rd and 4th grade classrooms throughout the region. We provide our readers with training, as well as a set of books from which to read and enough brand-new books so that every student can choose one to keep and take home at the end of each monthly visit.
- By the end of the school year, each child, many of whom have never previously owned a book, will have a home library of approximately seven books.
- Currently: More than 200 Volunteer Readers
- Approximately 42,000 books to children per year
Link to Libraries Readers Workshop
by Dr. Jennifer Stratton
I just did my first Link to Libraries reading. Other than spending time with my own child, that was THE best, most fulfilling experience I have had in a long time. The kids are WONDERFUL and were THRILLED to read and discuss the book. They had such wonderful ideas and answers to the questions I’d prepared and inspired other discussion points. And they could not have been more excited to pick out their very own book to take home. You are reaching these kids at exactly the right time, and what an amazing impact. They really are ready to love to read!
Kathleen Pessolano Pittman
LTL Reader at Liberty Elementary School, Springfield, MA
Reading with Link to Libraries is perhaps the simplest, yet most rewarding volunteer opportunity I have ever participated in. It's difficult to express the joy it brings to not only spend time with the students while reading, but to see their faces when they get to pick out and keep their own new book. It makes my day every time.
Tania Spear
LTL Reader at Coburn Elementary, West Springfield, MA
It is so rewarding to excite preschoolers by reading aloud to them and to watch how they ever so carefully select a brand new book to take home to add to their personal library.
Carol Fox
LTL Reader at Metcalf Preschool, Holyoke, MA
Thank you for the opportunity to work with Link to Libraries. It is a great organization and provides an important service to this community.
I think the students (and the teachers) in the classes I read to over the past two years really enjoyed our time together. I met so many wonderful kids and caring teachers and administrators. Reading to the students at the Glenwood School was the highlight of my month!
You should be very proud of what you have accomplished here. I wish you all of the best.
Martin W. Baicker, FACHE
LTL Reader at Glenwood School, Springfield, MA
