Needs From: Belmont Office of Community-Engaged Learning and Service

Book'em is thrilled to once again offer our Reading is Fundamental (RIF) program to the Metro-Nashville/Davidson County area for the 2025/2026 school year. We hope to serve 250+ classrooms in 17 Title I schools and need enthusiastic and committed volunteers like you! 

As a reading volunteer, you agree to: 

Attend an in-person orientation at Cockrill Elementary where our RIF book room is located. (We will have several dates available in August/September.) Sign a volunteer policy waiver. Complete a background check, paid for by Book'em, if one has not been done for you in 5+ years.Be assigned an elementary school & teacher at one of our participating RIF schools.  Contact your assigned teacher to schedule your visits for dates/times that work for you both.  Prepare for your visit in advance by thoughtfully reading through your chosen read-aloud books. Go to our RIF book room at Cockrill Elementary School to choose books to take to your students before each visit. If you are paired at Dodson, Glengarry or Paragon Mills, you can access a RIF Book Room at those schools. Spend ~20 minutes reading aloud and engaging with your assigned class at each visit.  Help your students select books to keep from the ones you brought for them.  Log the number of books distributed and time donated on our online portal after each visit.  Complete a volunteer survey at the end of the school year.Note: this is a year-long commitment.

If you'd like to apply to volunteer for the 2025-2026 school year, complete this online form in addition to responding to this Need.