Have you ever read a story to a golden retriever? Or shared a picture book with a beagle? That is the experience many children have with an innovative program called “Paws to Read” offered at Charlotte Mecklenburg Library. It is the beginning step in turning reluctant readers into confident readers.
The Paws to Read program has been offered at the Library for many years. It was first introduced at the Morrison branch, but is now offered regularly at 11 Library locations: Davidson, Hickory Grove, ImaginOn, Independence, Mint Hill, Matthews, North County, Scaleybark, South County, Steele Creek and University City).
The program is pretty simple in concept. During 15-minute sessions, children boost reading skills and confidence by reading to a certified therapy dog. Most participants are school-age children, and many students who participate are extremely shy about their reading abilities. They may feel intimidated about reading with a person, but they don’t feel the same shyness with a friendly dog. This gentle and friendly environment gives the child a comfortable space to practice and build confidence and comfort with the printed word.
Once a child builds more confidence, they may feel ready to move into the Reading Buddies program, currently offered at 13 Library locations: Beatties Ford Road, Cornelius, Davidson, Indpendence, Mint Hill, Matthews, Mountain Island, North County, Scaleybark, South County, Steele Creek, University City and West Boulevard.
In this program, children can work on developing reading fluency and comprehension by reading aloud with an adult or teen buddy. Gradually, they will begin to think of themselves as a reader, and a child’s self-identity as a reader is one predictor of their future success with reading.
Though these two programs work one-on-one with children, there is a larger community goal that the Library, in partnership with Read Charlotte and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, is attempting to help address with these and other programs and services: to double the percentage of third-grade students reading at grade level from the current 40% to 80% in 2025. Students who are struggling with reading in third grade are likely to have trouble in all subjects, because reading is so essential to learning in grades 4-12. Programs like Paws to Read and Reading Buddies can help children get on track with reading at an early age.
Interested in participating? Find times and dates for upcoming Paws to Read and Reading Buddies programs at cmlibrary.org/calendar, using the keyword search for “Paws to Read” or “Reading Buddies.”
Want to help? The Library is always looking for volunteers to help with these two important programs. Information on current volunteer opportunities and their requirements is available atcmlibrary.org/volunteer.
