Saturday Reading Buddies Library Program Plan (Class 9-12)
Organise a Saturday reading buddies program at your local public library. Includes roles, step-by-step plan, safety rules, and permission form.
High school students host a Saturday morning reading buddies session at the local public library for primary grade children.
This program helps younger students build reading confidence through one-on-one literacy mentorship. It allows high school volunteers to develop leadership skills while supporting public library programs.
- When
- a Saturday morning in October
- On the day
- 2 h
- Roles
- 3 jobs · 20 students
- We count
- younger readers paired and 1 more
- Remain inside the designated children's section of the library at all times.
- Report any student needing assistance directly to the supervising teacher or librarian.
- Ensure all craft materials and scissors are handled safely at the work tables.
Money: No money is collected or handled for this free community library initiative.
Pick your job and the plan lights your steps
Before, on the day, after. Tick as you go.
What to bring, who brings it, what works instead
The note, ready to fill and sign
To the Parents and Guardians
Our class is organizing a Reading Buddies community service morning at [place] on [date] from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Students will serve as reading mentors for primary grade children in partnership with local library staff. Transportation to and from the library must be arranged independently. Supervision will be provided by two secondary school teachers throughout the session. Please sign below to permit your teenager to participate in this voluntary literacy event.
Reply line: I give permission for my child to participate. Signed, Parent/Guardian
The words in square brackets are the blanks. Fill them before you print.
The opening words, spoken
Welcome everyone to our Reading Buddies session at the public library. We begin by acknowledging that we gather on the traditional territory of local Indigenous peoples. Today, our goal is to make reading fun for our younger buddies. Listen patiently, encourage them as they sound out words, and help them enjoy every story. Let us set up our tables and welcome our first readers.
At the end: Thank you for sharing your time and love of reading with our community today.
Write the numbers here on the day
Who to ask
provides room space, book collections, and reading logs
The class teacher contacts the youth services librarian two weeks in advance.The debrief, back in the room
What the first-time organiser should know
- Arrive fifteen minutes early to meet the library supervisor and review the seating layout.
- Pair hesitant readers with mentors who have prepared animated read-aloud books.
- Speak clearly and at a gentle pace when addressing younger children and parents.
- Maintain eye level with your assigned reading buddy by sitting together in comfortable nooks.
- Praise efforts and sound out difficult words patiently rather than correcting immediately.
- Keep track of time so reading, reflection, and wrap up stay strictly on schedule.
Worth knowing
- Organise a Saturday morning Reading Buddies session at your local public library for primary students.
- Partner with public library staff to select appropriate picture books and early chapter books.
- Begin the session with a respectful Land Acknowledgement and warm welcome.
- Guide younger readers using active listening, encouraging questions, and patient word sounding.
- Track session attendance and volunteer hours for high school community service requirements.
- Collect parent permission forms and maintain required adult supervision ratios throughout the event.
Where it is done, and why
Organising a youth literacy session at your local library is a practical way to earn volunteer hours and support young readers in your community. As a high school student, you can mentor primary grade children, guide interactive reading time, and manage workshop crafts alongside public library staff.
This guide gives you everything you need to run the initiative from start to finish. You will find a full breakdown of student roles, step-by-step instructions for before, during, and after the event, a ready-to-use parent permission form, and safety guidelines for off-campus volunteer work.
About this piece
- Designed for Canadian high school students in Class 9-12.
- Partners with municipal public library branches and youth services staff.
- Provides one-on-one reading mentorship for primary grade children.
- Includes complete student role assignments and supervision ratios.
- Features an official parent permission form template with square bracket blanks.
- Helps students log required community service hours.
How it is done
- High school classes coordinate with municipal public libraries to host community reading sessions. Events begin with an Indigenous Land Acknowledgement and conclude with volunteer hour verification.