Literacy is highly desirable and reading well requires practice. Practice may be tedious; unless the beginning reader has a furry audience.

To encourage young readers, Susan Monroe, Emmaus Public Library's children's librarian, activated the Books and Barks program in July 2014.

Monroe inherited the plans for the project from a previous children's librarian and instituted it with the aid of patron Leslie Dubois.

Dubois involved local therapy dog handlers who began bringing their pets to the library 6:45 to 8 p.m. on the third Thursday of the month. The activity appeals mainly to children in kindergarten through sixth grade.

On average, three or four dogs are available per session. Most of the children like to read a different book to each dog. Monroe said one parent expressed satisfaction [with the program] because interacting with the dogs has "...gotten [her child] very involved in reading."

The library offers numerous other possibilities for readers of all ages. The Friends of the Library assist in supporting these programs.

Monroe, who oversees all and runs some of the groups, welcomes all children to experience the library's many offerings.

"Kids are wonderful. I am very lucky that I work with them," Monroe said.

The Books and Barks canine contingent totally agrees.

Additional photos appear on page A2.