How do I become a Study Zone Volunteer?

Provide academic support for students in grades K-12 during Study Zone hours. Study Zone programs include Tutors, Reading Buddies, and Math Club. We offer these programs online and in libraries.

Roles and Shifts

In-person shifts

You will need to go to a library for these shifts.

Role Duties Shift and Age Requirements
Tutors
  • Assist students in grades K-12 with homework and study skills.
  • Help 1-5 students at a time.
  • 2 hours per week
  • Ages 16 and older
Reading Buddies
  • Share eBooks with students.
  • Coach pronunciation, pace, and comprehension.
  • Help 1-2 students at a time.
  • 1 hour per week
  • Ages 15 and older

Online shifts

You will need to log in to Zoom for these shifts.

Role Duties Shift and Age Requirements
Greeters
  • Welcome students.
  • Work with staff to place students in requested breakout rooms.
  • Track and report student attendance data.
  • Reading Buddy Greeter Shift:
    1 hour per week 
  • Tutor Shift:
    2 hours per week
  • Ages 16 and older
Lobby Rovers
  • Rotate through rooms.
  • Observe and convey messages and assist with basic troubleshooting.
  • Lobby Rovers do not teach or tutor.
  • Reading Buddy Shift:
    1 hour per week  
  • Tutor Shift:
    2 hours per week
  • Ages 15 and older
Reading Buddies
  • Share eBooks with students.
  • Coach reading pronunciation, pace, and comprehension.
  • Help 1-2 students at a time, in a Zoom breakout room.
  • 1 hour per week
  • Ages 16 and older
Tutors and Rover Tutors
  • Assist students in grades K-12 with homework and study skills.
  • Help 1-2 students at a time, in a Zoom breakout room.
  • 2 hours per week
  • Ages 16 and older
Math Club Instructors Prepare a weekly lesson plan and teach a 1-hour class.
  • 2 hours per week (1 hour per week asynchronous lesson planning and 1 hour per week teaching online)
  • Ages 16-19

Qualifications

State of Residence

You must be a Washington State resident to volunteer at Study Zone.

Age

Find age requirements for each volunteer role in the charts above. Age requirements are minimums. Adults are welcome to apply for any role except Math Club Instructors.

Equipment

To volunteer online, you'll need to have your own equipment so that you can participate on Zoom. You must have a personal laptop or computer with reliable internet access.

How to Apply

We accept applications throughout the year.

  • To apply for in-person roles, contact the Tutor or Reading Buddy staff liaison at your library.  Ask for the Teen or Children’s Services Librarian.
  • To apply for online volunteer roles, complete the Study Zone Online application.

Holidays and Breaks

Study Zone is closed during all major holidays and for the following breaks:

  • Mid-winter break (week of Presidents Day in February)
  • Two weeks at the beginning and end of summer
  • Thanksgiving week
  • Winter break (last two weeks of December)