In July of 2005 I had the honor of being invited down to Clarkston Michigan to do a presentation of fancy rats as pets and how to care for them. They have a summer reading program that the teens really love. The head of this program is Tracy Malek. She is the Young Adult Services Librarian at the Independence Township Library in Clarkston, Michigan.
She wrote me explaining, "Since our Summer Reading Program 2005 theme deals with the Renaissance and Medieval times, I would like to address common misconceptions that many people have about pet rats." Tracy went on to say that many people still view rats as dirty and carrying diseases, and this way of thinking comes from what happened during the black plague era.
The teens at the presentation were wonderful and as you will see by the pictures they were all enjoying giving and receiving attention from the little furry friends I brought for them handle.
A fun and educational time was had by all and we look forward to going back again with new furry friends and doing other presentations to help educate people and bring them out of the "dark ages!"
To learn more about what is happening in each picture pass your mouse pointer across it.
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After the presentation Tracy wrote with these comments:
"Kathryn,
We (the library staff and the teen patrons) likewise thoroughly enjoyed
your presentation. The teens keep talking about it, even over a week
later. I'm sure they would love to have you come back sometime in the
future. Some of the teens who didn't make it to the program feel like
they really missed out on something special. I will also let other
librarians know about the positive experience we had with you and your
ratties..."