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ZAI Employee Publishes Article

Thursday, March 01, 2018

Stacy Loveridge, a Data Specialist with ZAI and a Librarian student at Wayne State University—had an article published in the September/October 2017 issue of Public Libraries, a publication of the Public Libraries Association (PLA). The article, titled “Reading Confidence with “Tail Waggin’ Tutors,” was accompanied by some wonderful artwork on the front of the issue.
The story begins, Two young brothers eagerly enter the library on a brisk winter morning with a thoughtful selection of books clutched in their hands. They are not returning these books, but have carefully chosen titles from their own collection, and a stack of library books that they are borrowing, to read to their canine friends that visit the Glen Burnie (MD) Regional Library (GBRL) on the second Saturday morning of each month. Tail Waggin’ Tutors, a program that encourages young readers to practice their literacy skills by reading aloud to a trained therapy dog and handler, has pushed both boys to excel in their reading abilities. Seven-year-old Zach, who was eager to learn to read at a very early age, learned about the program at a summer reading event when he was four years old. The program motivated him even more to read early on. His younger brother Tyler, who is five, followed in the footsteps of his older brother by also learning to read at an early age and has been participating in the program since the age of four. They both prepare by consciously choosing books that they think their canine friends will enjoy. This program has motivated both boys to read consistently and has given them the confidence to read aloud. They found a love for reading at a very early age and much of this is credited to their participation in Tail Waggin’ Tutors through the Anne Arundel County (MD) Public Library (AACPL) System.
To read the entire article, visit Public Libraries Online.