Reading Buddies

Reading Buddies is a system wide program that matches children in grades 1-3 (little buddies) high school student volunteers (big buddies), who share their love of reading with fun picture books and literacy games. The buddies meet for an hour/wee for eight weeks. The program runs at several branches in Regina and is loosely supervised by staff (the buddies do not meet in a program room). The program was advertised in RPL's Program Guide, on RPL's website, on Social Media, and in schools. This program launched in the Fall of 2016 is is an ongoing program.

Each branch where the program is held has a box full of literacy kits. These kits include information sheets for the big buddies that include tips on helping their little buddies find the perfect book, a list of all the types of books in the childrens' area (board books, picture books, beginning readers, etc.), and literacy games.

The teen volunteers spend a total of 10 weeks in the program. All volunteers are required to attend a training session the week before Reading Buddies starts and there is an optional wrap party after the program is finished.

This program took 4 months plan.