McGruff the Crime Dog stopping at library during Red Ribbon Week

McGruff the Crime Dog will be at the Havre-Hill County Library Wednesday in time for two sessions of Story Time. The library is expecting about 75 kids to show up.

Jessica Simms, children's librarian, said that was the approximate number of children who showed up last year when McGruff came to town to visit Story Time. The total number, parents and guardians included, was 102.

Story Time happens every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. and this week's theme, during National Red Ribbon Week, will be safety.

Simms said she will be reading to the children with McGruff nearby, adding that McGruff will not be reading.

Simms said the early session of Story Time is geared toward children from birth to 4. Those are usually the bigger crowds, she said. The second group is for older children up to 7.

Story Time will be held in the meeting room of the library.

McGruff was created through the Ad Council and later the National Crime Prevention Council to increase crime awareness and personal safety in the country. McGruff costumes are used by police outreach efforts - McGruff was at National Night out in Havre Aug. 2 -  often with children.

McGruff was created by Sherry Nemmers and Ray Krivascy in 1979 and debuted in 1980 with a series of public service announcements educating citizens on personal security measures, such as locking doors and putting lights on timers, in order to reduce crime. His name was selected as part of a nationwide contest in July 1980.