Volunteer Opportunity

Yep, it's that time again; planning time for 2008 Canadian Children's Book Week. I was the Vancouver Island Book Week tour coordinator last year but will be traveling this fall. If you love kid's books, want to meet some great teachers,l ibrarians & children's book creators, & have some free time, this volunteer job is for you! See the job description below for more details.

Book Week Coordinator Needed for Vancouver Island

Canadian Children’s Book Week is Canada’s largest celebration of reading and Canadian children’s books in schools and libraries, organized by the Canadian Children's Book Centre (CCBC). The first Book Week tour was held in 1977 and since then over 300 Canadian authors, illustrators and storytellers have toured throughout the country.

We have an exciting tour planned for 2008 in honour of the 100th anniversary of L.M. Montgomery’s Canadian classic, Anne of Green Gables. The Canadian Children's Book Centre will celebrate classic Canadian children’s books during Canadian Children's Book Week. Thirty authors, illustrators and storytellers will travel across the country visiting schools, libraries, bookstores and community centres from November 15 to 22, 2008.

The CCBC is looking for a Book Week Coordinator for the BC Vancouver Island tour. In the past, Vancouver Island has hosted a variety of author and illustrators including Ron Broda, Monique Polak, Ian Wallace, Ted Staunton, Ting-xing Ye, and William Brownridge.

This is a volunteer position; however, a $250.00 honorarium and complimentary membership to the CCBC will be provided.

The Book Week Coordinator will coordinate the author/illustrator tour of Vancouver Island by:
- Contacting and selecting host schools, libraries, bookstores and community centres (based on applications that are submitted).
- Acting as a liaison for authors and illustrators; arranging tour itineraries; booking travel and accommodations within budget available; meeting and escorting authors; driving or arranging volunteers to drive authors to locations when feasible/necessary.
- Actively promoting Book Week by contacting regional and local media.

If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact Cora Lee, the CCBC’s British Columbia Regional Officer at bc@bookcentre.ca or 604 506-2693. If you know of anyone who may be interested, please forward this information to them.