Volunteers are needed for the Fall 2008 semester, to serve weekly from September through December 2008. Potential volunteers are welcome to submit an application at any time.

Talk Time is an English conversation practice program for non-native English speaking adults. It provides a safe and relaxed environment in the library for these individuals to practice English-speaking skills, with the help of volunteer facilitators.

Volunteer Responsibilities:

• Work with fellow volunteers to facilitate conversation among non-native English speakers at the library.
• Attend Talk Time sessions once a week from September through December 2008. Sessions are a little over 1 1/2 hours in length for volunteers. Locations and times for Fall 2008 are listed below.

Volunteer Qualifications:

• Mastery of the English language.
• Willingness to listen more than talk.
• Ability to elicit responses from newcomers.
• Patience, creativity, and willingness to use a variety of methods to promote communication.
• Sensitivity to potential differences in culture.

Volunteer Requirements:

• Complete an Austin Public Library Adult Volunteer Application. Please review the days and times above, and indicate your location choice on the Schedule Information portion of the application. The application is available on the Library's Volunteer Program page, in PDF (for regular mail) and Microsoft Word (for e-mail) formats.
• Completed applications should be e-mailed to or mailed to:
  Austin Public Library, Volunteer Coordinator, P.O. Box 2287, Austin, TX 78768-2287.
• Accepted volunteers will be required to undergo a criminal background check and attend a Volunteer Training.

For more information, please contact Sharon Edwards, Volunteer Services Coordinator at (512) 974-7443 or .