This project will provide programming to local public libraries in the form of a book club. This book club will be focused on novels involving wild animals that we can relate to our native wildlife in NC. After reading the novel and discussing how the focal animal was accurately or inaccurately depicted, participants will get to meet and adopt one of our ambassador animals that they just read about. Funding will provide this program to at least 10 local libraries serving underserved students.
Students in the Triangle region (Durham, Raleigh, Chapel Hill) region of North Carolina are receiving low test scores associated with reading deficiencies. This has been seen due to the increase of Title 1 schools in our area because of low test scores. Throughout our normal programming, we are also seeing a general lack of literacy understanding. Many students who may be receiving low tests scores are from underserved communities.
Because public transportation goes to local libraries, expanding our programing to local libraries will allow greater access to underserved kids. For many, meeting our ambassador animals may be their first encounter with wildlife and is an important step in understanding how humans impact our wild neighbors, and what we can do to preserve and protect them. Additionally, nearly all of our animals are native to North Carolina which helps to familiarize people with their own backyards.
We hope to see an increase in overall literacy in the Triangle region of North Carolina and want to make a positive impact for wildlife in our communities and by students. This project will encourage a love for reading by students who may not have had a want to read prior to our library book club.
