By Lori Ehde
The Elementary School Library was a busy place Wednesday when Luverne second-graders came in from the noon recess.
Wednesday marked the first day of the Bookin' Buddies reading program, and 41 students paired up with local volunteer adults to delve into a 45-minute reading session of their favorite material.
Bookin' Buddies was started through Rock County's Big Buddies program to provide children one-on-one mentorship with adults.
The idea was inspired by a similar program in the Twin Cities called the Power Lunch program involving Supreme Court justices.
In addition to positive mentorship, students receive critical reading experience, according to Julie Wynia, Big Buddies program coordinator.
"A lot of kids in the second grade are just starting to read," she said. "Research has shown that now is the time to hit them with this sort of thing. The more you make it fun, the more enjoyable it is for them, and the more they'll want to read later in life."
She said 70 adults have volunteered to read during their noon hour on Wednesdays. That includes those who have agreed to do it every week, and those who have agreed to do it on a part-time basis.
Volunteers include working professionals, retired seniors and stay-at-home parents.
Wynia said she was pleased with volunteer response. "I thought we'd try to get enough volunteers to read to one second-grade classroom, but we have enough for two," she said. Second-graders involved so far are those in Cathy Rust's and Carol Goehle's classes.
"In the fall, we hope to get all classrooms filled."
She said part of the reason for the volunteer positive response may be the structure of the program.
"It's a set period of time, and it's not in the evening, so it doesn't take away from family time," Wynia said.
The same students and readers are matched for the duration of the program, which will continue until mid-May.
Librarian Lorna Schoeneman helps partners choose appropriate books, but volunteers can also bring their own favorites along.
Interested volunteer readers can call Wynia at 283-8685, ext. 4.