Opportunities From: Metro United Way's Volunteer Connection

Volunteer Book Deliverers help deliver books to assigned library routes on a biweekly basis. This is an ongoing volunteer opportunity - interested volunteers should be willing to commit to this opportunity long-term. 

At Metro United Way, we believe that a quality education has a powerful effect on the long-term success of our community! The Little Free Libraries initiative provides access to books, which is one of the strongest indicators of youth success. We are proud to report that 41 Little Libraries are installed and in use throughout the Louisville community, predominately in west end neighborhoods.

Duties of the Book Deliverer:

Meet with our LFL volunteer coordinator, Mary Sullivan, and shadow a route prior to route assignment.Pick up books from MUW on either the 1st and 3rd or 2nd and 4th Monday or Tuesday of the month between 9:00 and noon. Deliver the books to Little Free Libraries on your assigned route.Make note of any libraries that have issues: loose door hinge, no door or broken window.Return empty boxes and extra books to Metro United Way.

Requirements:

Have a valid driver’s license and good driving record. Car large enough for 6 boxes of books – Xerox paper size boxes.Ability to interact with people along your book route. Be friendly and ask what type a books they may like to read. Complete Metro United Way’s volunteer waiver.Volunteer Book Deliverers are provided with a Metro United Way shirt, which can be worn when delivering books.

If you have any questions or are interested in volunteering, please contact Mary Sullivan at mschocchip@gmail.com or 502-541-1151.

Because we know access to books is a leading indicator of a child’s success in school, we build, maintain, and fill a network of 42 Little Free Libraries. Since installing the first libraries in 2015, we’ve distributed 200,000 books. These libraries provide free and easy access to books for children and families who may live a distance from public libraries or lack convenient transportation. We can use your support to help keep the libraries full! You can donate new or gently used books to ensure that everyone who visits the libraries has books.

Books can be dropped off to Metro United Way Monday-Friday 9am-4pm. Please email Dulce Solorio (dulce.solorio@metrounitedway.org) to coordinate a drop off time.

WHAT TO DONATE:

Books for children, youth and adults that are in good condition.Books written by and about people of color. Seeing themselves in books helps children with the vital skill of reading with comprehension and establishes an affinity with reading – the more children enjoy reading, and find meaning there, the more they will come back to books.

WHAT NOT TO DONATE:

Large books (they don’t fit in the libraries)Textbooks, encyclopedias, dictionaries, guidebooks, out of date texts, etc.Torn, water-damaged, moldy or dirty/dusty books Magazines, newspapers, etc. Romance novels