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Canines for Literacy @ East

Date: Sat, Oct 3, 2026

Time: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Venue: East Regional Library – East Regional - Children's Programming Room, Durham

Price: Free

Category: Arts

Relax and read with a dog! This program brings dogs and reluctant readers together for 20 minutes of companionship. Handlers and their dogs provide quiet encouragement to children so that they might develop a love of reading and improve communication skills. Canines for Literacy is an affiliate program of Reading Education Assistance Dogs® (R.E.A.D.®). Registration is required. Please note that you may book one session per day, and sessions are 20 minutes long. Available time slots are as follows: 2:00pm, 2:20 pm, 2:40pm. If it's less than 24 hrs before the event, give us a call and see if we have any avaialbe time slots left! Bow Wow for now!

Arts · Durham

Canines for Literacy @ East

Arrive ten minutes early so your child can pick out a library book first.

When
Next Saturday
Sat, Oct 3, 2026
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Ages
Check ages with the venue
Price
Free
durhamlibraryfreefamily friendlyregistration requiredkid friendly

Canines for Literacy at East is a program that pairs children with certified therapy dogs for quiet, one-on-one reading practice. These sessions help young readers build confidence and improve their literacy skills by reading aloud to a non-judgmental canine listener. To participate, you must register in advance for a specific twenty-minute time slot starting at 2:00 PM, 2:20 PM, or 2:40 PM. The program is free and takes place in the Children's Programming Room at the East Regional Library in Durham, which offers plenty of free parking. Bring a favorite book from home, or arrive a few minutes early to let your child select a book from the library shelves. This is an excellent weekend activity if you have a child who is hesitant to read aloud in school. The calm presence of a trained dog removes the pressure, making reading feel like a comforting treat rather than a chore.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is each reading session?
Each child gets a private twenty-minute session with a dog and their handler. Slots are scheduled for 2:00 PM, 2:20 PM, and 2:40 PM.
Is registration required for this event?
Yes, you must register ahead of time to secure a spot. If you are looking for a slot less than 24 hours before the event, call the library directly to check for last-minute openings.
Where does the event take place?
The program is held in the Children's Programming Room at the East Regional Library, located at 211 Lick Creek Lane in Durham.

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Plan Your Visit

Schedule

Canines for Literacy @ East runs Sat, Oct 3, 2026, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM.

Getting There

East Regional Library – East Regional - Children's Programming Room is in Durham, NC. Open in Google Maps.

More events at East Regional Library – East Regional - Children's Programming Room

What to Bring

Nothing but the kids — this one's free, with no tickets to buy.

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