ROBERTSDALE, Alabama -- The Robertsdale Public Library’s Summer Reading Program has gone to the dogs. And that’s a good thing, said Library Director Cynthia Nall.

The library’s resident canine, Nayla, a 3-year-old Golden Retriever, came to the library in June 2012 and helped the library kick off its Summer Reading Program last year, Nall said. Longtime library dog Maddie died in April of last year at age 16.

Like Maddie, Nayla is a rescue dog, coming to the library from Randy’s Rescues in Foley.

“She has such a sweet disposition and she enjoys people,” Nall said. “She greets everyone with a wet nose and a wagging tail.”

Nayla participated in last year’s Summer Reading Program without incident, Nall said, so this year the library decided to incorporate Nayla and some of her canine friends into the program, which kicks off at 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 4.

This year, in addition to the regularly scheduled daily events, readers can sign up to be a “Pawsome Reader,” with scheduled reading times at 20-minute intervals beginning at 10 a.m. Monday, 4 p.m. Wednesday and 2 p.m. on Friday.

Readers can check out books using Nayla’s library card and choose between Nayla or her two friends, Spencer, also a Golden Retriever; or Gator, a German Shepherd.

Children will then read for 20 minutes to a dog under adult supervision. A folder will be kept for each child along with a reading log.

Children will receive prizes when they read to the dogs each week, Nall said, including:

• Week 1: A “Paw-Some” Reader bracelet.

• Week 2: A dog tag charm for the bracelet.

• Week 3: A doggie pencil bag.

• Week 4: A book “autographed” with paw prints from all three dogs.

Reading to the dogs is not just for fun, Nall said. Studies have shown that reading to a dog for 20 minutes for four to five consecutive weeks, who is non-judgmental and understanding as a child struggles to read out loud, can improve the child’s reading skills up to two levels.

The overall theme for this year’s Summer Reading Program is “Dig Into Reading,” Nall said. In addition to the Pawsome Readers” events will include:

Monday

Reading Patch Club, 2 p.m. at the library for ages 9-12. Children will read different types of books and will receive a patch for each type of book read. The child will also write a short book review for each book read and will receive a reward/prize for each patch received. Includes crafts and treats.

Tuesday

Story hour, 10 a.m. for ages 3 to 4; 2 p.m. for ages 5 to 7. Children will enjoy storytelling and crafts.

Wednesday

Entertainment for all ages beginning at 10 a.m. each week at the PZK Civic Center on Highway 104. Featured entertainment includes:

June 5: Flow Circus juggling and magic.

June 12: Charlie The Noise Guy.

June 19: Monty Harper children’s songwriter and performer.

June 26: Mark Seymour: Be At Your Best drum music.

Guest speakers for 10-12 year olds, 2 p.m. each week at the library.

June 5: Dr. Brian Pierce.

June 12: TBA

June 19: Gulf State Park nature time.

June 26: Dr. Z many hats.

Thursday

HK Exotics, 10 a.m. at the library. A variety of exotic animals come to visit the library each week. Open  to all ages.

Guest speakers for 8-9 year olds, 2 p.m. each week at the library.

June 6: Tim Cooper, Five Rivers Delta Center.

June 13: Dr. Brian Pierce.

June 20: Deitra Tate, Local 15 TV meteorologist.

June 27: Gulf State Park nature time.

Friday

Reading Tag Club for 5 to 8 year olds, 10 a.m. at the library. Children will read one book each week and write a short review, receiving a tag when the book is read. Includes crafts and treats.

The library is located at 18301 Pennsylvania St. For more information call the library at 251-947-8960.