We absolutely adore our local library. I know there are a lot of smaller and understocked libraries in the world, but ours is a true gem. We actually visit a minimum of once a week. Sometimes we are there two or three times a week. Being minimalistic, we get most of our books to read from there. It cuts down on the amount of books in our home (although we do have a lot of books).
Most people aren’t even aware of the many programs that local libraries offer. For instance, our library has two locations. One on each end of the county. They both offer the same exact programs but on different days. They have a schedule and you just check to see what program is at which location. It’s easy.
One of the biggest perks of our library is ordering books online to be picked up. Boy has this saved me a lot of time searching through the tons of books to find what I need. I simply log on to the website with my library card and search for the books I want and choose to check them out. I get an email a couple of days later when they are ready for pick up. I go to the front desk and they scan my card (my family has a total of five library cards) and bring me the books I ordered.
Our favorite program at the library is the summer reading program. We have participated for four years now. Anyone from birth to 100 (and beyond) can sign up. Each age group has different prizes. My boys are all in elementary school so theirs is the same. They each get a handled bag, a lanyard for their library card, and a book log. We visit each week during the summer for a fun, new prize. They tell the librarian about the books they read that week and they get a pin for their lanyard and a prize. The prizes vary from a coupon for a free ice cream to a cool pencil to a free book.
The teens and adults have to read five books in order to get a scratch ticket. Sometimes you win nothing and sometimes you win a gift certificate to a local restaurant. I won a free book last time we went in.
The library also has several storytimes to choose from during the week. These vary for each age group as well. There are puppet shows and craft times as well. We have also gone to some amazing shows about Irish dancing, science experiments, and music. They put on plays that are performed by local children and orchestra concerts.
During the summer, the library also have a family movie once a week. They are family-friendly and are at various times as well. For instance, they have an 11am showing and a 6pm showing. That way no one has to miss out.
The whole point of this post is to show you that a lot of libraries have much more to offer than just books to check out. If you haven’t visited your local library, stop by. Talk to the librarian and ask about events and programs they might have going on. It is so worth it to get to the library and get kids reading more. It’s actually our favorite place to hang out.
