Dogs and opera help literacy – really?

This paper will describe some of the programs that have been delivered by Yarra Plenty Regional Library in Melbourne Australia to reach out to those members of the community who might not otherwise think of the library as a place they would want to go or whose services they would use. The Reading Rover is a mini mobile library that delivers regular programs at community centres and other venues to encourage parents to read to their babies and young children. Mill Park library has made special connections to families with children on the Autism spectrum, running programs and providing quiet spaces where these children and their parents feel welcomed and accepted. Doggy tales is a program now running at 4 branches where specially accredited dogs sit patiently and without judgement as children read to them out loud. After receiving a grant we have spent 2 years developing special programs for deaf people and are excited about a signed opera performance by Opera Australia that will be staged at one of our branches. And there is a storytime for adults program aimed at people who don’t read for pleasure designed to help them discover that reading is a rewarding and enjoyable pastime.