Explore Our Volunteer Roles

Already know what you want to volunteer for? Check out our current volunteer opportunities HERE.

Questions? Email the Volunteer Coordinator at hannabell@raising-readers.org for more information.

Programs

Playful Pages Family Workshops: Playful Pages Volunteers help families connect through conversation and play while practicing strategies that support children’s language development and learning. Volunteers assist with check-in, support families during activities, help facilitate play stations, and encourage caregivers as they try new strategies with their children. Take a closer look at the Playful Pages volunteer role for more information.

Story Pals: This program is offered in the fall, spring, and summer. Each volunteer will be trained to use language and literacy development methods and work with preschoolers for two hours each week for approximately eight weeks per session. Must be 14 years of age to participate. Learn more about our Story Pals volunteers here.

Reading Buddies: Reading Buddies Volunteers work one-on-one or in small groups with early elementary school children during personalized 45-minute reading sessions. Volunteers help children strengthen their literacy skills through regular practice and encouragement. Sessions take place twice a week in the afternoon and are supervised by RRSC site supervisors. Find out more here.

STARS Storytime: Volunteers assist RRSC staff with program activities and help create a welcoming and engaging environment for children and families. Discover more about the role on this PDF.

Small Talk: Small Talk volunteers assist with program activities, technology, childcare, and participant support. Small Talk is a free program from LENA Start that helps parents and caregivers of young children increase interactive talk. Through 10 weekly sessions, caregivers receive feedback about their language interactions with their children and learn strategies for talking, reading, and engaging more with their children in a supportive environment. See what's involved by viewing the Small Talk volunteer details.

Events

Mall-o-ween: Volunteers will have the opportunity to assist with event set-up and breakdown, book distribution, and facilitation of the event. Join us as we celebrate Halloween and hand out books to our young visitors! Learn more about what these volunteers do here.

Step Into Storybooks: Join us as we make stories come to life! Volunteers aid us with craft preparation, event set-up and breakdown, visitor assistance, survey stations, etc. 

Week of the Young Child: Join us as we read to young children across Story County! Volunteers will visit preschool centers throughout Story County to read 1-2 books to children the classrooms. 

Other One Time Community Events: RRSC prides itself on community outreach. We attend several events throughout the year that include book distributions, program information sessions, and building connections with community members. 

Office Support

Office Assistants: Office Assistant Volunteers help RRSC with a variety of administrative, organizational, and maintenance tasks at the North Grand Mall location, helping ensure that day-to-day activities run smoothly. Volunteers will take on specialized tasks to assist RRSC staff with one-time events, programs, or office activities. These volunteer activities will be on an as-needed basis and may range from craft preparation to book distribution preparation. Explore the role here.

Welcome Desk: Welcome Desk Volunteers help create a welcoming experience for everyone who visits RRSC's North Grand Mall location. As one of the first points of contact for visitors, Welcome Desk Volunteers greet guests, answer questions, assist prospective volunteers, and help maintain a safe, inclusive, and engaging environment. Learn more about the role here.

Cleaning Volunteers: Help keep RRSC a clean, welcoming, and comfortable space for staff, volunteers, children, and families. Cleaning Volunteers assist with routine restroom and office cleaning as part of a rotating schedule. View the volunteer job description for more details.

Community Bookshelves

Book Bundling Volunteers: Book Bundling Volunteers help get books into the hands of children and families throughout Story County. Volunteers prepare and bundle books for distribution to RRSC’s Community Bookshelves sites and help keep related records accurate and up to date. Check out the Book Bundling volunteer role to see what’s involved.