The Concord Free Public Library is excited to launch a new program: Adopt A Reading Pal. This program is designed to promote love of reading, care of pets, and familiarity with the resources of the library for elementary school aged children. Over the course of 6 weeks, kids will adopt, care for, and read to their special reading pals at least 5 times each week. Also, they will be encouraged to bring their pals to programs at the library. All programs will take place in the Children’s Library at the Main Library (129 Main Street Concord, MA). Registration for this free program is required for each week individually – register for one, two, or all weeks!
October is National Adopt A Dog Month: the perfect time to launch this venture!
Week 1: The first week, Monday, October 3 from 4:00 – 5:00pm, is our Adoption Ceremony. Bring your Reading Pal to the Main Library (129 Main Street Concord, MA) to receive your official adoption papers, Dog Diary, and a special gift to care for your pal.
Week 2: Wednesday, October 12 from 2:00 – 3:00pm, we will be visiting with Michelle Kreell from Baypath Humane Society along with Laney, her rescue dog, and Marley, her stuffed dog to learn all about pets! Bring your Reading Pal to the Main Library (129 Main Street Concord, MA).
Week 3: October 20 from 4:00 – 5:00pm, we will meet with Jennifer Wellborn and Rozilla MH, the author and illustrator of “Dr. Rosie Helps the Animals”. Learn how Dr. Rosie helps animals and practice helping stuffed animals yourself. There will be hands-on activities, book reading, and book signings.
Week 4: Tuesday, October 25 from 4:00 – 5:00pm in the Children’s Library at the Main Library (129 Main Street Concord, MA), we will meet with Shelby Meyerhoff, the artist currently presenting her work in the CFPL gallery. In this series, she paints her face and body and photographs herself as creatures inspired by the natural world. The resulting images blur the line between what is human and what is not, drawing attention to our interconnection with all living things. Zoomorphics is an exploration of what it means to be human, to be an animal, and to love this world. Shelby will lead parents in a face or body painting exercise and then we will explore the library and some of the cool services it offers.
Week 5: November 3 from 4:00 – 5:00pm in the Children’s Library at the Main Library (129 Main Street Concord, MA), bring your reading pal and your dog diary to the library. We will read some stories about dogs and do some scrapbooking to record the fun that you’ve had with your reading pal.
Week 6: November 7 from 4:00 – 5:00pm in the Children’s Library at the Main Library (129 Main Street Concord, MA, bring your reading pal to the library for our graduation ceremony! We will have a special celebration for all the care and reading you have shared with your special reading pal.
Reading Pals are available for the first 75 children who register. If supplies run out, we encourage other children to bring a special stuffed animal from home and join all the programs.
Thank you to the Friends of the Concord Free Public Library for generously sponsoring this program.
For more information about Library programs and services, call 978-318-3301 (Main Branch) or 978-318-3350 (Fowler Branch), sign up for our e-Newsletter, or visit us online at concordlibrary.org. Engage with us by following us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
