Library Outreach/Volunteers
Buncombe County Public Libraries offer a number of volunteer and outreach opportunities to the citizens of Buncombe County. Take part in any of the following programs...
 POP, a free service of the Buncombe County Public Library, takes the resources of the library to children in daycare. More than half of our preschoolers spend their days away from home. With the help of a growing corps of volunteers, over one thousand of these young children in Buncombe County have an important opportunity for joy and learning though books.
There are three POP volunteer options: Read Aloud Volunteer, Book Delivery Volunteer and Special Volunteer.
Read Aloud Volunteer
Read Aloud Volunteers visit daycare classrooms to give story times to kids. This group of about 40 volunteers includes retirees, students and working people who take stories to preschoolers in childcare all across the county. Aside from giving a wonderful gift to the children -- the joy of books and reading -- this job is just plain fun. Our volunteers frequently make comments like: “I look forward to going.” “I love to make them laugh.” “What a trip!”
Volunteering for POP requires attendance at a training workshop, held twice a year, in March and September. Volunteers make a commitment of two visits a month to an assigned daycare center, usually near their home. Story times last about 20-30 minutes, plus story preparation time. The library provides kits with books and puppets; the training includes everything from children’s literature to quieting activities. No experience is necessary -- just a sense of fun, love and respect for children and an appreciation of the value of reading in their lives.
For information on volunteering for story time, view the job description and download an application.
Book Delivery Volunteers
Another part of POP is book delivery to day care centers. Every month, the Book Delivery Volunteer will deliver a themed crate of 30 picture books to each participating daycare classroom from a rotating collection at Pack Library. No fines or fees are charged to the day care centers for this valuable service. A valid driver’s license is required for this volunteer job.
For information on volunteering for book delivery, view the job description and download the application.
Special Volunteer
Working at Pack Library, Special Volunteers will assist the POP staff with clerical duties including coordinating book delivery, book repair and cleaning, and other special projects. No experience or special talents are required, but computer skills are a plus.
For information on volunteering in the POP office, view the job description and download the application.
Call the Preschool Outreach Program Office at 250-4729 or email Erwin Gunnells for additional information.
Buncombe County Public Libraries have joined with the Buncombe County Health Department to reach out to low-income families through the Ready to Read program. Low income families are frequently unaware of library services and how the library can help their very young children become ready to read. The Ready to Read program brings these families into our libraries with free books, information and special event days at library branches. For more information contact Ready to Read at 250-4728 or email Connie Clay.
Ready to Read is funded through a grant provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the Library Services and Technology Act administered by the State Library of North Carolina, a division of the Department of Cultural Resources.
Other library volunteers are typically recruited through Friends of the Library organizations. Volunteers offer valuable behind-the-scenes work on special projects, such as preparations for book sales, providing refreshments for author receptions, offering transportation for guest speakers, etc. Get involved with your local Friends group and volunteer! You can contact your local Friends group at any library or by emailing library@buncombecounty.org.
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