Volunteer of the month

Volunteer of the Month – June

Chantelle Piano

This month, we highlight Chantelle’s dedication as Volunteer of the Month. “Being a volunteer for had been one of the best experience I’ve had during my teenage years. Being in contact with the kids from CPE Garderie Kan Tsipor has given me the chance to relive childhood memories by sharing the childrens’ stories that had once been books that I’ve read. It was a real pleasure to read and give new colors to the kids imagination.” Chantelle Piano

Volunteer of the Month – May

Joan Hongoh

Our volunteer of the month for May is Joan Hngoh, one of our most dedicated and passionate storytime volunteers. “It has been my pleasure to work with Minibiblioplus for the past few years as a volunteer. I read to my little friends at Cocon du Bonheur, in Côte des Neiges and more recently at La Garderie Mary Poppins in NDG.  To share love and warmth with these wonderful children always brightens my day and reminds me of my days as a kindergarten teacher.  Having studied Children’s Literature with Montreal’s wonderful professor Marion Blake and having done much work in “teaching reading” as part of my McGill Master’s degree, I cannot underestimate the value of reading.” Joan Hongoh

Volunteer of the Month – April

Vicki Barkoff

Our volunteer of the month for April is Vicki Barkoff, one of our most dedicated and passionate storytime volunteers. During the COVID-19 crises, Vicki has agreed to film herself doing storytime so that we can spread the love of reading to families even while they are staying at home. “The Fraser Hickson storytime program offers an opportunity to interact with very young people, and what could be more delightful?  They are curious, eager and full of original ideas and opinions.” Vicki Barkoff

Volunteer of the Month – March

Carol Lakoff

This month, we highlight Carole’s dedication as Volunteer of the Month. For the past year, she has been animating storytime at two daycares. Thank you Carole for your passion! “I have been a storytime reader for a year now and I enjoy this volunteer opportunity very much. I really love the chance to interact with young children and to familiarize myself with children’s literature. This has been a very positive experience for me.” Carol Lakoff

Volunteer of the Month – February

Adrian (Hannah) Dragan

My experience as a storytime volunteer has been very educational and I enjoy bringing joy and smiles to children while initiating them to literature. Through storytime, I help to increase the literacy rate of our youth while encouraging their creativity and not repressing their energy. I DO IT WITH LOVE!

Volunteer of the Month – January

Mathilde Routy

We are happy to announce our Volunteer of the Month for January, who also happens to be our newest team member, Mathilde Routy! Mathilde has been a dedicated volunteer since last fall as a Storytime Animator at her daughter’s daycare! She is an experienced animator and we are very happy to have her as our new Communications Coordinator at .

“It’s really magical to see the special connection that is created with the children through books. Every week, we laugh, we’re scared, we’re moved, but most of all we have a lot of fun!”

Volunteer of the Year 2019

Shamim Khan

Shamim brought her children to the Fraser Hickson when they were young and it was during these visits that she began to wish she could work at the library. Shamim began volunteering at the Fraser Hickson Institute in 1984 and after two months was hired as a staff member. She worked until the Fraser Hickson closed in 2007 and has volunteered at the locations that the library moved to including its current home at 3755 rue Botrel. We are very grateful for Shamim’s dedication and generosity throughout the years.

Volunteer of the Month – December

Tom Bagg

I always wanted to volunteer at a library and I was interested in because it’s a good cause and I wanted to give back to the community. It’s a great opportunity for people who love reading!

Volunteer of the Month – November

Angela Rahaniotis

Angela has been volunteering with since June 2018 and especially enjoys delivering books to our partner sites because she gets to see the enthusiastic response to our program. Angela was previously a patron of the Fraser Hickson and although she was sad to see the library close, she was happy to find it resurrected in its present form as . Angela believes that children should be exposed to books as early as possible. She has this to say to anyone considering volunteering with : “It’s a great opportunity for people who love books and want to see the positive impact they have on early childhood development. Let’s spread the love of reading!”