Share the gift of literacy.

Volunteers are the heart of our organization! 

 

We rely on volunteers to implement our programs as well as help with our community events and fundraisers. 

Volunteers make the mission and vision of OLC a reality!

Ozarks Literacy Council provides:                                                                                                     FREE tutoring for adults and children                                                                         Classroom readers for preschool and elementary classrooms.

To provide these amazing services FREE, we need volunteer tutors and readers!

Annually, OLC volunteers clock over 12,000 hours of service and share over 10,000 books to our community.

DO YOU HAVE 1 HOUR A WEEK TO CHANGE A LIFE? BECOME A VOLUNTEER TUTOR

Tutor Requirements

  • At least 18 years old

  • High school reading level

  • Able to speak and write clearly

  • Complete one tutor training session (training schedule)

  • Pass background check as related to the tutor duties

  • Commit to helping your learner reach their goals                                                             

 

OLC has had trained tutors helping others improve their lives though literacy for 55 years. Our tutors meet with their learners at a mutually agreed upon, public place, once a week. We provide the training and the curriculum, books and materials you will need. Adults and school age children are assessed to determine their needs and we match them with the tutor that fits.

READY TO BECOME A TUTOR?

Complete the New tutor registration, click here

DO YOU LIKE TO READ TO CHILDREN?

READING RESOURCE PROGRAM #bookit

Classroom readers model fluency, encourage imagination, and introduces students to different genres and authors.  This year we were at Williams (3rd Wednesday of every month) and McGregor (first Wednesday of every month) and York (1st Thursday of every month) Elementary, #bookitmustangs #bookittigers  #bookiteagles respectfully. Volunteers read to a class on their day every month and send each child home with a free book.

We also offer: parent tips, class and individual incentives, and rewards for the most time spent reading. 

Springfield Public Schools require that every volunteer complete their background check process: https://www.sps.org/Page/5147                                                                                                                                                             Complete our sign up form below and we will contact you soon. Thank you.

BECOME A PRESCHOOL READER AND HELP DEVELOP A LOVE FOR READING EARLY

Our preschool program volunteers visit SPS Wonder Years classrooms four times during the school year to read, play an educational activity, and send each child home with a free book.    

Early literacy programs are important in growing readers and helping children be ready for kindergarten. Ozarks Literacy Council (OLC) strives to make kids’ enthusiasm for reading expand beyond the classroom and into the child’s home. OLC volunteers visit a Wonder Years classroom in Springfield each quarter.  Lessons for each visit are written to meet the developmental needs of the class.

In OLC’s 2022-23 survey, 100% of parents reporting re-reading the books to their children and stated their child’s interest in reading had increased. (Wonder Years is a program for preschool children that will go to Kindergarten the following year.)

Would you like to read to preschoolers? Complete the form below and we will contact you soon.

Help out in the office, at events, sorting and delivering books...

Volunteers at OLC are never bored. We have opportunities to help out in the office with filing, data recording, selecting books, preparing books for reading programs and delivering books. Event opportunities are varied. 

Special Events & Community Fairs

 Trivia Night and Run for Reading are OLC’s most exciting Special Events! Up to 30 volunteers are needed to help at each event in many areas from ticket sales, silent auction assistants, and so much more! Additionally, OLC works to get books in the hands of children by giving away free books at Community Events such as Seuss Science Day, Juneteenth, Grant Beach Neighborhood Night Out and more. We are always in need of outgoing volunteers who would like to help give out books and promote OLC programs. If you enjoy a hands-on experience, OLC would love to have your help! Check out more information on events page.

Register to be a volunteer