Puppy Dog Tales or Ruff Readers? Your Library’s Read to a Dog Program

Reading out loud improves reading skills, and reading to a dog gives kids a chance to read to a non-judgmental listener.  For many children, it allows a rare chance to experience stress-free reading.

Considering starting a “Read to a Dog” program at your library?

Over at the WisPubLib discussion list, Arin C. Wilken (Mondovi PL) asked,

Any of the smaller libraries out there ever run a “Read to a Dog Program”?  How do you run your program and what kinds of legal and administrative things need to be considered before undertaking something like this?

You can read all the tips and advice he got, to help you set up one of your own.

Or already have  one, but want to re-brand it with a new name?

Over at the ALA Think Tank Facebook group, Marge Loch-Wouters (La Crosse PL, and Menasha PL alumnus) asked,

Hey, libraries that have a ‘read to a dog’ program with kids…what do you call your program? We feel meh about our “Read-to-Rover” title and want something more fun.

Here are the ideas she got, that you might consider “borrowing” for your library as well:

• ARF (Animal Reading Friends)
• Bow Wow Reading
• Dog Tale Time
• Doggy Tales
• Outside of a Dog: A Well-Lit Place for Kids to Read
• Paw Pals
• Paws for Reading
• Paws for Tales
• Paws to Read: Love on a Leash
• Pawsitive Reading Partners
• Puppy Dog Tales
• Puppy Tales
• R.E.A.D (Reading Education Assistance Dogs)
• Read With the Welcome Waggers
• Reading Buddies
• Reading with Rover
• Ruff Readers
• Ruff Ruff Read
• Sit, Stay, Read
• Tail Waggin’ Tutors
• Tale Waggers: Read to a Dog
• Tales to Tails
• Wags & Tales: Read to a Dog

Sources:
• Arin’s post on WisPubLib
• Marge’s post on the ALA Think Tank Facebook group

Image credit:
• LOLcat Builder

Get Ready for Read Across America Day, March 2nd

TM & © 1997 Dr. Seuss Enterprises, L.P. and NEA. Cat in the Hat image TM & © 1957 Dr. Seuss Enterprises, L.P. All Rights Reserved.

The National Education Association’s Read Across America reading celebration takes place each year on March 2, the birthday of Dr. Seuss. Across the country, thousands of schools, libraries, and community centers participate by bringing together kids, teens, and books.  Its focus is on motivating children and teens to read through events, partnerships, and reading resources.

Here are resources to help celebrate at your library:

• Download free Lorax activity sheets, reading journals, word games, coloring pages and more
• Sticker sheet template
• Certificate of Achievement
• Sample letter to send to your newspaper
• Need ideas? Use these 13 Seuss-gestions to make your library’s event “Seuss-sational”

You’re never too old, too wacky, too wild,
To pick up a book and read with a child.
You’re never too busy, too cool, or too hot,
To pick up a book and share what you’ve got.

In schools and communities,
Let’s gather around,
Let’s pick up a book,
Let’s pass it around.

There are kids all around you,
Kids who will need
Someone to hug,
Someone to read.

Come join us March 2nd
Your own special way
And make this America’s
Read to Kids Day.

Source: NEA’s Read Across America

Apply for Early Childhood Reading Grants

Early Childhood Reading Grants from Target are awarded to schools, libraries and nonprofit organizations to support programs such as after-school reading events and weekend book clubs.

Early Childhood Reading Grants are $2,000. Start the application process here.

Grant applications are typically accepted between March 1 and April 30 each year, with grant notifications delivered in September.

Resources:
Early Childhood Reading Grants
Grant FAQs

Celebrate Drop Everything and Read Day April 12th

National Drop Everything and Read Day is a celebration to remind and encourage families to make reading together on a daily basis a family priority.

Every year on April 12th — the birthday of author Beverly Cleary — is the official event date. The program’s official spokesperson is Cleary’s character Ramona Quimby.

Your library can host Drop Everything and Read events on April 12th:

• use the info on the Resources page to get ideas
• get inspired ideas for displays, activities, and events
• create a display of Beverly Cleary’s books to commemorate her birthday

Sponsors of National D.E.A.R. Day include The National Education Association (NEA); Parent Teacher Association (PTA); and the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association.