For Immediate Release: August 28, 2008

Preschool Story Reader Training Begins September 23 at the Oakland Public Library

*****************************************************************************************************************************************

( Oakland, CA)—If the prospect of reading children’s books to preschoolers appeals to you, read on. Books for Wider Horizons, a story reader program provided by the Oakland Public Library, is offering a free course to train volunteers to present story times at Oakland Head Start preschools and other centers. The seven-part training program begins September 23 at the Rockridge Branch Library, at 5366 College Avenue.

In these sessions participants will learn how to select and share wonderful books and transitional activities, creating engaging story times for preschool aged children. Classes are taught by Gay Ducey, a Rockridge Children's Librarian and nationally renowned storyteller.

Books for Wider Horizons is a program that recruits, trains, and places volunteer story readers in preschool or childcare centers throughout the City of Oakland. Originally a partnership between the Oakland Public Library and the City’s Youth Services, this program began in 1994 and has provided weekly story reading by volunteer readers to all Oakland Head Start Centers.

The program’s volunteer readers come from all backgrounds and age groups, from students and seniors to professionals on their lunch breaks. Bilingual readers are able to provide multi-lingual story time experience and also provide the needed language support at many centers where children speak English as a second language.

The program’s 30-minute story times introduce children to the pleasure of stories and create excitement about books and reading. In 2007, Books for Wider Horizons served 23 centers with 39 volunteer readers providing 1,320 hours of quality book reading each week to 1,180 young children.

All trainings take place at the Rockridge Branch Library, 5366 College Avenue. Dates and times are listed below. Volunteers must attend each session.

TRAINING DATES :

Tuesday, September 23 6 - 8:15 p.m.
Wednesday, September 24 6 - 8:15 p.m.
Thursday, September 25 6 - 8:15 p.m.
Tuesday, October 7 6 - 8:15 p.m.
Wednesday, October 8 6 - 8:15 p.m.
Thursday, October 9 6 - 8:15 p.m.
Saturday, October 11 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

For more information, or to sign up, please call 238-7453 or visit our website: http://www.oaklandlibrary.org/links/kids/wider_horizons.html. The Oakland Public Library is a department of the City of Oakland.

###