Plattekill Library needs volunteer mentors, storytellers, youth volunteers and more!

For more information on these programs, visit our website at http://plattekill.lib.ny.us. Anyone interested or who has more questions may email Mary at plattekill@optonline.net or call 883-7286.

1 Homework Help Mentor. This position requires a person with the following knowledge and skills: well-organized, a team player, able to communicate effectively with teens, parents, school and library personnel, capable of writing in a clear, concise manner, sensitive to diverse cultures and populations, computer and Internet literacy, flexible and self-directed. It works best if the Mentor is taking college-level education classes or has experience working with children; they must at the very least be over 18.

The Mentor will be responsible for the following duties:
1. Act as a liaison between the library and students seeking help with their home work, and col laborate with the library staff to carry out the goals of the program.
2. Supervise, aid and motivate students who use the library’s resources to do their home work; facilitate a productive atmosphere for learning,
3. Train and help supervise students in the use of the library’s computers and refer ence resources (e.g. online catalog, library databases, Internet, encyclopedias).
4. Listen to and talk with students about homework, school, and current issues.
5. Set up and maintain any homework center materials and supplies (publicity fliers, etc.) and help library staff to create a neat, welcoming atmosphere.
6. Dress in a manner appropriate for public service.
7. Maintain a daily log of Homework Center use and assist in the program evaluation process.
8. If time permits, help individual students with their specific homework assignments and assist individual students in their barriers to learning.
9. Other tasks as assigned by the Library Director or Library Assistant.

2 Thursday Nights: We have nighttime storytimes called Readalouds that are usually held the 3rd Thursday of each month at 6pm. Examples of themes are: Pirates, Scary, Día de los Niños/Día de los Libros, Seuss, Jumpstart Read for the Record (always the first week in October), and Earth Day. Even though our library is small, we get anywhere from 40-100 children. We need people to help with parking, set up tables and chairs, help with crafts, direct people to the different venues, hand out goodie bags to kids, and much more. It would be even more helpful if a volunteer spoke Spanish or knows Sign Language as we have a large Hispanic population in our town as well as a family who would be greatly helped if someone could Sign. Volunteers may help out earlier in the day/week by filling goodie bags or baking cupcakes, but most usually arrive by 5pm the day of the program.

3 Various adult programs that we need help in coordinating and setting up as well.

4 Library Pages: this program is for kids who have graduated from 6th Grade. They need to fill out a form and meet with Derek, Librarian Trainee, for training. The kids are expected to help out for two hours per week during the school year and four hours a week during the summer. They do simple (but very important) jobs like putting away books, straightening up the shelves, and putting away the stuffed animals. After awhile, we include helping with Storytime.

Any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Mary E. Antzak
Library Assistant
Plattekill Public Library
2047 State Route 32
Modena, NY 12548
Phone: 845-883-7286
Fax: 845-883-7295