How do I sign up for Reading Buddies?

Applications are available here or at the Louisville Library Children's Desk.

How do I know if you received my application?

We will call you about a week before the program begins to confirm that you have a spot in the program, or that you are on the waitlist. Since we don't know how many spots will be available until we confirm Big Buddy applicants, we will not know whether you are in the program until this point. If you want to confirm that your application was received, you can contact us.

What are the dates for the Spring 2012 program?

There will be three Spring programs:

• Sunday afternoons from 2:00 to 3:00, from February 5th through April 22nd, no meeting on April 1st or April 8th for spring break and Easter.

• Sunday afternoons from 3:30 to 4:30,  from February 5th through April 22nd, no meeting on April 1st or April 8th for spring break and Easter.

• Monday afternoons from 4:30 to 5:30, fFebruary 6th through April 23rd, no meeting on February 20th or April 2nd for President’s Day and spring break.

Little Buddies can sign up for any session; Big Buddies can sign up for any session or multiple sessions. It is highly recommended that Little Buddies sign up for as many sessions as possible to increase the chance we will be able to accommodate you.

What if I can't make a session?

We ask Buddies to commit to attending at least 7 of the 9 sessions; of course, unexpected emergencies and illnesses always come up. If you know ahead of time about an absence, please let us know the week before so we can make alternative arrangements for your Buddy. If an emergency comes up, please contact Kelsey (303-666-4025) or the library (303-335-4821) immediately.

Will I always have the same Buddy?

Yes. You meet with the same Buddy every week. If your Buddy is gone for one session, you will get a substitute Buddy for that session only. You can indicate Buddy preferences (gender, age, Spanish-speaking, ect.) on your application, but Buddies will be assigned by us before the first session.

What exactly do the Buddies do at each session?

The Buddies read together one-on-one for 45 minutes. They will also do reading comprehension activities and play reading-related games. For the last 15 minutes of the session, all of the Buddies will play a group reading game, such as a library scavenger hunt or a group mad-libs type game. During the last 15 minutes, the Buddies will also prepare a short presentation which they will perform for the parents on the day of the last session.

Other questions? Contact us.