Reading Ambassadors: A Model for Youth Programming In a University Collection

The Worlds of Words Center Reading Ambassador program has sent alumni to Stanford, Columbia, Harvard, Northwestern and the brightest ones to the University of Arizona (U of A) – a fact that is not surprising when considering that most high school students with extracurricular collegiate experiences continue onto college.

Although Worlds of Words focuses on Education majors, the Reading Ambassador program allows us to share our resources and further our mission of expanding perspectives through global children’s literature in our community. As most university libraries also have children’s literature collections, programs like ours can be developed to serve communities beyond enrolled students.

Graham (age 13) “The program gives me more of a college experience and is a nice stress reliever. Compared to school, it’s not so rigid in structure.” “We are another mind at the table to give a different perspective.”

Our Reading Ambassador program offers middle and high school students a free college experience that focuses on books written for them. They study literature under the direction of faculty and staff with expertise in children’s literature and outreach. They also learn how to position themselves as reading advocates in their own contexts.

Minerva (age 15) “The program lets me learn about different perspectives from authors and books we get to read. We’re learning to be open to new perspectives.”

The program is set up so that, where possible, Reading Ambassadors have agency over their experience. They kick off the academic year with a book browse, ranking new releases they’d like to read. The center contacts the authors of the highest ranked books to see if they are available for a visit (virtual or in person). If so, we purchase a copy of that book for each Reading Ambassador. Reading Ambassadors have a month to read the book before attending a literature discussion. They have the next month to plan and execute a public meeting with the author.

After the lit discussion, the center distributes a second copy of the book for the Reading Ambassadors to share with their school librarians to help promote their author event. If a school librarian connection is not made, we hope they can talk to their English/Language Arts teachers, their student councils, parent teacher associations, little free libraries, or other entities. This process encourages middle schoolers and teens to seek affinity groups and to talk about books with trusted adults.

In this way, Reading Ambassadors learn how to be good partners in professional settings as well as efficient methods for promotion. For example, when they wanted to use flyers to promote events, they learned that they couldn’t just post something in a school hallway. They needed permission from someone like the Assistant Principal. When Reading Ambassadors wanted to post flyers in public libraries, they learned to take a stack to the main library where a librarian could approve and distribute the flyers to each branch for them.

At author events, Reading Ambassadors introduce the author and the program to the public, ask their questions (allowing time for their guests to also ask questions), and get their books signed. We have learned about the personal lives of authors, their research, writing and editing practices, and what happens once a book is published. After each author meeting, the Reading Ambassadors record an episode of their podcast, WOW Reads.

The WOW Reads podcast also includes bonus episodes. Because there is an attendance component (part of our youth safety guidelines) and Reading Ambassadors live busy lives, they occasionally ask for make-up opportunities. These events have included a Mock Caldecott, an introduction to USBBY’s Outstanding International Book list, and joining Big Read Tucson. They also record an end of year recap.

The program lasts an academic year, which is enough time to squeeze in four books. Our last author event is paired with a certificate ceremony that includes a bookified game of M.A.S.H. to recap our reading, superlatives, and other activities.

Worlds of Words accepts applicants to the program from the greater Tucson area, but we focus on recruiting participants from Title 1 schools. We reach out to area school districts and sometimes work directly with schools and school librarians. Many families come to us from private and charter schools as well. The result is a good mix of participants.

Jenisha (age 13) “Being on a college campus simulates what it’s like to be a student on a college campus and connects us to other people. Colleges can bring people in more to understand how the college is like the people who live in the area.”

The costs for the program began modestly and have increased alongside program growth. In October 2024, we held a crowdfund campaign to raise $8000 for the program. Expenses include books, author honorariums, bagels and hot chocolate, and educational supplies. Our campus bookstore gives us a discount on the books!

Christian (age 13) “I like how this is an open space where everyone can go. It’s a safe space that doesn’t limit anyone. Anyone can join.” “Programs like this is a great way for the center to get itself into the public.”

Although the initial thinking when creating this program was to offer the kind of academic experience that so many of the STEM fields offer through internships or dual enrollment, I regularly see university libraries inviting area youth to their libraries as a third space. University library maker spaces are one such example. Old school research activities are still relevant. Yesterday, I met an attorney who grew up near the U of A. With Tucson High School right across the street, he could walk to the library to conduct research for his school projects. He even had a U of A Library card as a teen!

Our guest contributor today is Rebecca Ballenger. As Associate Director of the Worlds of Words Center, Rebecca operates between teacher, librarian, and curator spaces. She is a practicing generalist who wants to read, share, and honor everyone’s stories.

Worlds of Words is a center of global children’s literature within the U of A College of Education. It contains a non-circulating open stack collection of books for ages birth through 24 that focuses on international and multicultural books.

Please note that as a guest post, the views expressed here do not represent the official position of ALA or ALSC.

If you are interested in submitting a guest post, please read and fill out our Guest Blogging Interest Form. We would love to hear from you!

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 The Worlds of Words Center Reading Ambassador program has sent alumni to Stanford, Columbia, Harvard, Northwestern and the brightest ones to the University of Arizona (U of A) – a fact that is not surprising when considering that most high school students with extracurricular collegiate experiences continue onto college. Although Worlds of Words focuses on Education majors, the Reading Ambassador program allows us to share our resources and further our mission of expanding perspectives through global children’s literature in our community. As most university libraries also have children’s literature collections, programs like ours can be developed to serve communities beyond enrolled students. Graham (age 13) “The program gives me more of a college experience and is a nice stress reliever. Compared to school, it’s not so rigid in structure.” “We are another mind at the table to give a different perspective.” Our Reading Ambassador program offers middle and high school…
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