Each year, the Chatham Education Foundation solicits volunteers for Books on Break–free book fairs held each spring at Title 1 and rural schools in Chatham County. It’s a meaningful way to engage with students, helping them choose books to read over the summer and watching their excitement when they learn they get to keep them forever.
This year’s fairs will take place at the end of May and beginning of June, and CEF hopes you’ll consider volunteering. Keep an eye on Facebook and Instagram for sign-up links.
In the meantime, Chatham Reads, a partnership between CEF and Chatham County Schools, offers many additional ways to get involved. Whether you have a few hours a month or are interested in volunteering more regularly, there are opportunities to support children’s literacy throughout the county. From behind-the-scenes work such as stocking a little library to reading aloud directly to small groups of children, there’s a place for you at Chatham Reads.
And you don’t have to be a teacher or literacy expert. You just have to believe that every child deserves access to books.
Occasional Opportunities
📚 Sort Books
Prepare donated children’s books for distribution—clean, sort by reading level, and apply stickers. This essential, behind-the-scenes work takes place once or twice a month at the CEF office at Horton Middle School in Pittsboro.
🛒 Organize & Restock Bookshelves at CORA’s Food Pantries
Help create welcoming literacy spaces for families by organizing, tidying, and restocking children’s bookshelves. Volunteers are needed for both CORA locations (Pittsboro and Siler City), about once a month.
🔧 Repair & Maintain Little Libraries
Assist with light repairs and upkeep of Chatham Reads’ Little Libraries so they remain safe, sturdy, and inviting. Little Libraries are located throughout the county and help is on an as-needed basis.
Ongoing Opportunities
🏘️ Steward a Little Library
Become a steward for one or more of Chatham Reads’ Little Libraries. We provide the books. Stewards help keep the libraries stocked, tidy, and ready for the children who stop by in search of their next book.
🏫 Support School Libraries
Assist with school library operations, such as shelving, checking books in and out, weeding outdated materials, and organizing collections. Possibility for reading with small groups of students. A background check through the Chatham County Schools website is required.
🗂️ Catalogue Classroom Library Books
Support teachers by cataloguing classroom library collections. This work helps schools comply with North Carolina’s new parent access law, which ensures families can view and review books available in public school classrooms. Cataloguing takes place weekly at schools throughout the county.
📖 Read Aloud to Students (Pilot Program)
Join our Breakfast Club and help strengthen early literacy skills by reading aloud to small groups of students before the school day begins. This pilot program will take place at Moncure School during breakfast (7:30–8:15 a.m.), two days a week.
Chatham Reads depends on community members who are willing to give a little of their time so that children have consistent access to books. These volunteer roles help ensure that students have steady access to reading materials at school and in their communities.
If you’re looking for a way to support local students and make a tangible difference close to home, we invite you to join Chatham Reads. For more information on and to sign up for any of these opportunities, visit chathameducationfoundation.org/volunteer.