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Yet, this summer, as an intern at the Stamford offices of the accounting firm KPMG, he took a turn reading with young children as part of the Ferguson Library’s Book Buddies program.
The program, which is from 11 a.m. to noon Mondays through Thursdays at the Main Library, pairs KPMG interns with emerging readers.
“It’s fun to have someone else other than a parent read with them,” said Caroline Ward, Ferguson Library's youth services coordinator. “They’re practicing with someone who is not making a judgment and developing a comfort with reading.”
The interns, like Maxfield, take their job seriously, sitting patiently while shy young readers sound out a word. Some are ready to read themselves while others prefer to listen.
“My mom took me to the library when I was a kid,” Maxfield said, “but I haven’t been in a while. The library is a great place to volunteer.”
For KPMG, the relationship with the library is a chance to instill in potential new hires the company’s ethic of volunteerism. KPMG’s 33 college interns not only learn business skills, they also participate in KPMG's Family for Literacy initiative, one of the firm’s corporate citizenship programs, which includes the library’s Book Buddies program.
Caitlin Toohey, manager for campus recruiting in KPMG’s Stamford office, said, “We’re very glad to have our interns involved in such a hands-on community program and are looking forward to supporting next summer’s Book Buddies.”
There’s also an added bonus. Ward is thrilled to see the 20-something interns scrunched up at a children’s table absorbed in reading to kids. “It gets them back into the library,” she said. “It’s a wonderful thing to see.”
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