Did you know that your local public library is a treasure trove of activity? Long gone are the days when the library was a place you had to be silent as a mouse. Now, local libraries offer a variety of of community events, after-school activities, multimedia options and family-friendly programming. The best thing, it's free!
Libraries are still the perfect place to find a great book, but they do realize that they can offer a lot to the community and your children. Families today love technology, music and cultural activities. I was once in a library with a cafe! My favorite thing to do with my girls before they entered school was lap-time/book-time programs with a group of other parents once a week. This program expanded to include story-time with a craft. I met some of my best friends at these programs, and so did my kids.
The best deal around is still your local library, hands down! Many of them offer free tickets to surrounding aquariums, museums and family attractions, saving you tons of money.
Here are some tips to make the most of your very own public library.
- Library card. Get you child a library card. Most likely the first card your child will ever have. You can teach the responsibility of checking a book out and returning it on time. Very helpful lesson for kids.
- Visit often. Make a point of visiting the library whenever you can. This truly fosters the importance of it.
- Finding books. Take the time to show your kids around the library and how exactly to find a book. Most libraries are a lot different from when we went as kids. Most libraries have moved to all-digital systems. So ask a librarian for a quick tutorial if you are unfamiliar and you are on your way to finding great books.
- Library visit to other towns. We love checking out libraries in different towns. You can really find such interesting flavors of libraries. My own community library is ancient and I think haunted, but that's another story! I enjoy taking my kids to a brand new library in a nearby community because it's so new, on one floor and it's easy to keep an eye on them as I browse the book racks.
- Keep connected with your library. Stay in touch with your local branch and stay up on all the activities listed on their events calendar.
- Start slow. I remember one of my first visits to the library and we went home with a dozen books. We now limit the amount of books and promise that we can get right back to the library for more once the chosen books have been read. This takes out the possibility of loss or that overwhelming feeling of needing to read everything all at once.
- More than books. Most libraries have a plethora (or can get you) of DVD's, audio tapes, newspapers, computers and magazines. We love this section of the library! My older daughter pretty much just hangs in the magazine area now.
- Monkey see, monkey do. If your kids see you enjoying the library, more than likely your kiddos will too. Good role modeling is key here.
- Be active in your library. Always mention new titles or small improvements to the library when you can. Librarians love book suggestions or if a new comfy beanbag chair should be added to a kids area. Your comfort and enjoyment is very important to them.
- Advocate for your library. Most libraries see their resources shrinking by the day! Always support them when you can!
