SARAH KIPARIZOSKA | The Daily Mississippian
Kids participate in Reading with Rover event at the Lafayette County and Oxford Public Library on a Saturday morning.
Have you ever wanted to read and tell stories to someone who is always there to listen? The Lafayette County & Oxford Public Library and the Oxford Lafayette Humane Society are now making this possible for kids in Oxford through Reading with Rover.
The two nonprofits have collaborated to create an innovative opportunity for young readers to practice their reading skills while being surrounded by the friendliest dogs of the city. The best part about Reading with Rover is that kids (as well as kids at heart) can be a part of it. The local humane society invites enthusiastic volunteers to help with the popular program.
Reading with Rover happens on the second Saturday of each month from 10:30-11:30 a.m. at the Lafayette County & Oxford Public Library. Reference librarian Corey Vinson is usually at the library on Saturdays and always enjoys seeing the happy faces.
“Reading with Rover adds a really nice bit of a pleasant surprise,” Vinson said “It brightens up a lot of the kids that would happen to be here anyways especially if their parents were using the library. Reading with Rover is not just fun for the kids and the volunteers, but it also allows the young readers to practice reading in a comfortable environment.”
Regardless of the child’s reading level, anyone is welcome to attend the program. Reading with Rover gives the community a fun, innovative way to spend a Saturday morning.
Reading with Rover not only encourages young members of the community to be more engaged, but also gives the dogs a change of scenery and a break from the shelter.
For the kid at heart, Reading with Rover provides an opportunity to connect with the community and help instill the importance of reading in the younger generation. Expectations of a Reading with Rover volunteer include transporting the dogs from the shelter to the library and back. Additionally, the volunteers must accompany and supervise the dogs during the program.
The Humane Society encourages anyone over 16 years of age who loves dogs and kids to participate in the program.
To become a Reading with Rover volunteer, email the humane society’s director at OLHSdirector@gmail.com or call the Humane Society at (662) 236-7631 on Monday-Saturday from noon to 5 p.m.
-Sara Kiparizoska
skipariz@go.olemiss.edu
