Dakota County Library

General Description

Reading Partners Tutors provide weekly, individualized reading support to students in grades K-5 who are reading below grade level. Be a meaningful part of the movement to make sure every child in Dakota County is a reader and leader

What you can expect:

• Volunteers will be paired up with a student in grades K-5 with whom you will work directly one-on-one from January through May.
• One 1.5-hour tutoring session per week.
• Satisfactory complete tutor training and onboarding from both Reading Partners and Dakota County Library.

Location(s)

Tutor/student pairs will meet at a Dakota County Library location every week on the same day and time. Participating locations include:

Farmington Library

Galaxie Library (Apple Valley)

Inver Glen Library (Inver Grove Heights)

Kaposia Library (South St. Paul)

Heritage Library (Lakeville)

Pleasant Hill Library (Hastings)

Robert Trail Library (Rosemount)

Wentworth Library (West St. Paul)

Wescott Library (Eagan)

Date/Time

• Complete virtual Reading Partners orientation in Fall/Winter 2026.
• Weekly meetings between the volunteer tutor/student beginning in January 2027 through May 2027.
• Meeting day/time/location for the tutor/student pair will be matched based on availability. 

Duties & Responsibilities

• Independently lead students through the session’s lesson plan.
• Support the student in developing their reading skills in a positive, engaging, and encouraging manner.
• Communicate with parents and/or caregivers when asked about student’s activities.
• Must be able to always be professional and encouraging.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must be able to correctly and independently use a provided Chromebook computer to oversee Reading Partners Connects sessions.
• Able to commit to meeting weekly from January 2027 through May 2027 (flexibility for absences).
• Must be 16 years or older to volunteer as a tutor.
• Must satisfactorily complete an interview with library staff.
• Background checks are required for ages 18+.
• Must provide own transportation to and from the library.
• Must complete required virtual Reading Partners orientation and training as directed through the program season.

Desired skills

• Bilingual language skills in Spanish or Somali are preferred but not required.
• Comfort interacting with students of all ages and from diverse backgrounds.
• Experience working with English Language Learners is an asset.
• Patience, flexibility, and willingness to use creative methods to help students learn.
• Strong English and writing skills.

Minimum Time Commitment

Tutors will be expected to volunteer 1.5 hours per week during the program season (January 2027 through May 2027). The 1.5 hour will cover the 45-minute tutoring session as well as 30 minutes of session prep and 15 minutes of after-session notes.

Required Training

Volunteers will complete a virtual Reading Partners orientation and a library orientation that will give an overview of resources and techniques available to tutoring pairs before the program season begins.   

Contact Information

Dua Thao

Youth Program and Outreach Coordinator

1340 Wescott Road, MN 55123

Phone: 651-450-2942

Cell: dua.thao@co.dakota.mn.us