Book Buddies!

Book Buddies is:
a Library-sponsored program to recruit and train volunteers to read aloud stories and poems to hospitalized children and children undergoing medical treatment in San Francisco.

The Goal of Book Buddies is:
to help hospitalized children cope with the hospital experience by introducing them and their families to quality children's literature. To increase their awareness of the resources and services of the San Francisco Public Library.

Book Buddies are:
volunteers trained in techniques and resources for presenting and sharing children's literature to hospitalized children. Volunteers are also given an introduction to the hospital experience. Additional techniques such as storytelling, puppetry, felt board stories, use of music, and other topics may be covered in in-service workshops

Participating hospitals are:

BOOK BUDDIES are San Francisco Public Library sponsored volunteers who read aloud stories and poems to children in San Francisco hospitals. BOOK BUDDIES are asked to make a commitment of two to three hours a week for a minimum of one year.

All potential Book Buddies Volunteers are required to attend an Introduction to Book Buddies Information Session.

These one-hour sessions are held at 5:30 PM in the Fisher Children’s Center of the Main Library, 100 Larkin St. at Grove, 3 times a year.

The Sessions for 2008 will be held on:

February 20 - 5:30 to 6:45pm
May 29 - 6:00 to 7:15pm
October 7 - 5:30 to 6:45pm

Please arrive 10 minutes early to register.

Note: These sessions are subject to change depending on the volunteer needs of the hospitals. To confirm an upcoming date please submit an online application or call 415-626-7512 ext. 112.

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Volunteers must acquire (or show proof of) immunizations and meet all standards of health screening required by hospitals. Check with the hospital of your choice for requirements.

Final selection of volunteers is the prerogative and responsibility of the participating hospitals.