The Bookleggers are a group of volunteers from Fremont and Castro Valley Libraries dedicated to promoting independent reading by children. They visit local classrooms to promote a love of reading and introduce children to new titles.
Becoming a Booklegger
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Adults who have some availability during regular school hours (8:30 a.m. through 2:30 p.m., Monday through Friday) can become Bookleggers. The main qualifications are a love of reading and a desire to share that love with children. There are no educational prerequisites or financial requirements. Books used for volunteering are available for checkout from the Alameda County Library.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, we are not accepting new Bookleggers or visiting classrooms.
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In Fremont, Bookleggers visit elementary school classrooms, grades 2 to 5. In Castro Valley, Bookleggers visit elementary school classrooms, grades K to 5. The number of classrooms each semester depends on each school district’s needs.
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During training, class time is 2.5 to 3 hours weekly, and homework time is about the same. After training, the time commitment varies depending on the grade level and school district.
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Bookleggers indicate their preferences for grade level and school sites. The volunteer coordinators make every effort to honor those preferences.
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There is a select list of books that the Library stocks in abundance for the Bookleggers to use. Bookleggers have a wide variety to choose from within this list but are not permitted to use books outside of the list. The books for this list are chosen based on recommendations by library staff, volunteers, teachers, and families. The Booklegger list does not focus on books that children might already know, like award winners, best-sellers, or classroom classics. Instead, Booklegger books focus on great stories, unique characters, and diverse appeal.
