"Rock Star" Readers Bring the Joy of Storytime to Oakland Kids

Every week, in preschool classrooms across Oakland, something magical happens. A volunteer opens a book, and dozens of three- and four-year-olds lean in — wide-eyed, ready. This is Books for Wider Horizons (BWH), and it exists because of support from the Friends of the Oakland Public Library and dozens of dedicated volunteers.

Launched in 1994 as a partnership between Oakland Public Library (OPL) Youth Services and the federal Head Start program, BWH was born from a simple insight: since kids in Head Start and Child Development Centers couldn't attend library storytime, the storytime would come to them.

Today, trained volunteers visit these centers citywide, delivering 20–30 minutes of stories, songs and laughter — once a week – to hundreds of kids.

At the OPL Advocates Library Mixer in May 2026, longtime volunteer Randi Voorhies — a 16-year BWH reader and former middle school teacher and librarian— spoke about the program: "Of the many volunteer hats I've worn, being a story reader to children is the most joyful."

The impact runs deep. Children who might never otherwise experience a live storytime are gaining early literacy skills and a love of reading that can last a lifetime. As Randi describes it: "The children are like sponges soaking up new words, quickly memorizing rhymes, songs, and movements and anticipating story outcomes."

Two ways you can make a difference:

Give. Your continued support to the Friends helps ensure BWH and other vital Library

programs continue to thrive. Donate today.

Volunteer. The application for volunteers will open in summer 2027 on the OPL’s website. BWH provides training, no experience required. Visit oaklandlibrary.org/BWH to learn more!

Randi knows some folks may be thinking, "Yikes, sing? I can't do that.” But the children are a supportive and forgiving audience. She says,“You'll feel like a rock star."

Thank you BWH for bringing the joy of reading to Oakland's youngest community members!