MONROE: Partners in education sought at township library

By Maria Prato-Gaines, Staff Writer
   MONROE — Recruiting efforts are in full swing at the Monroe Township Public Library as employees have begun their campaign to sign up volunteers for the seasonal Reading and Math Partners program.
   The program, which has been running for more than five years, pairs up students entering grades one through six with community volunteers to keep these youth’s math and reading skills sharp over the hiatus of summer vacation, said Megan McCarthy, a youth services librarian who oversees the programs.
   While the program throws virtual strangers together over a pile of books, words and symbols, partners seem to develop more than just a better grasp of math and reading during the course of the summer, she said.
   ”A lot of people come back because they end up forming pretty tight bonds,” Ms. McCarthy said, adding that some volunteers end up with Christmas cards or at the birthday parties of their young partners. “It ends up being more than a stranger out there. It’s really about developing a relationship.”
   To foster those types of bonds, the library will be hosting its first-ever meet-and-greet for the program’s participants on June 30 at 10:30 a.m., so that new matches can browse the library’s scheduled book fair and become acquainted with one another.
   Over the past few years, the library has had to limit the number of participants, with the most recent numbers indicating that employees have matched approximately 200 students with 200 adults between the two subjects, Ms. McCarthy said.
   Library staff members attempt to match up pairs who have fairly similar schedules, she said.
   ”We try to make it as convenient as possible for both parties,” Ms. McCarthy said.
   The sessions last approximately one hour, with the program requiring partners to meet a minimum of four times per summer, she said.
   This year, the library is offering a little incentive for students and volunteers’ hard work, throwing an end-of-summer ice cream party for participants that have met six or more times throughout the summer, she said.
   Students aren’t the only ones reaping benefits from the program, as many of the seniors have appreciated the company and the positive impact they’ve had on a child’s life, Ms. McCarthy said.
   Younger volunteers have found that the experience does wonders for a college application and their resumes, she said.
   ”We are looking for people who have some experience working with children before, although it’s not a requirement,” she said.
   The program runs from late June to late August and the library is encouraging students to apply as soon as possible, due to the high volume of participation. It also is asking volunteers to have their applications in by the May 22 deadline.
   For more information on the summer programs, stop by the library at 4 Municipal Plaza or call 732-521-5000.
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