The Wildreader program began as a simple classroom activity in an
elementary school in Roseburg Oregon. Third grade students were encouraged to read books about animals. After they read a certain number of books, they earned a certificate from Wildlife Safari in Winston, Oregon. At a ceremony in the classroom, a staff person from Wildlife Safari went to the classroom to pass out the certificates.

During the 2002-2003 school year, the program changed, and began to grow rapidly. Over the summer, hundreds of youth attended special programs at the public library, where they were assigned books to read. Points were given for reading books, and they earned certificates. In addition to certificates, the youth earned children's passes to the Safari.

Now, librarians from just about every school in Douglas County, Oregon along with the public library system in Douglas County, are signing up students in the program. Thousands of students are earning certificates. To handle the rapidly growing program, we needed to put it on the Internet.

Each librarian is able to establish point values for books. The Internet site maintains a running record for each student's progress towards a certificate. When a certificate is earned, the library is able to print out and award the certificate for the student. Students are able to earn passes along with their certificate.

We hope to get other zoos involved in the wildreader program, and help spread the enthusiasm for reading around the country.

For more details about the Wild Reader Program, or to sign your school up, please click here.