Remember when you were a kid and you would go to the library? You were always told to be quiet and if you had to talk to talk in a whisper. When I was a teenager I would hide out in the poetry section of the library. It was on the second floor close to the balcony. Nobody was ever over there, I would grab a book from the shelf, sit on the floor, and read for hours. It was a place I could hide away, it was quiet.
Fast forward eleven years and the library has transformed. The second I walk in my children go to the childrens' section. I drop off our books in the return pile (we tend to get about twenty per visit) and head back to the children's section. There are large no back cushion chairs in odd shapes on the floor. A play house, three train tables, rocking horses, and several toys. My children play with other kids while parents look for books. Some adults sit at tables reading newspapers or talking with friends. More adults and teenagers at the computers working or playing on the Internet. The childrens' librarian seems to know every child by name. She knows mine; I have been taking my children to the library for their reading program since the oldest two were just little toddlers.
No longer is the library ONLY for quietly reading or researching. It is now a great place to spend time with your kids. A place where they can play. A place where your older kids can play miniature golf after hours for a special summer activity. It is still the best place to pick up books.
When we walk out of the library about an hour later; it only takes about ten minutes to find the twenty or so books and check them out, W looks at me and asks for a book. "Book!" He will hold a book in his hands on the way home eager to read it.
I love the library! I loved it when I was younger and I had to be quiet. Now that I am a mom I love it even more because our library has managed to become child friendly. Everyone in town knows that on certain days the library will probably have more kids then the park, so it will not be quiet. That is alright, I think everyone just enjoys the fact that so many children are enjoying the library. Hopefully, going home and enjoying the books too!
What do you think of your library? Is it a favorite hangout for you and your family?
We have so many books, we might as well be a library! We don't go to the library very often ... Our libraries aren't as friendly as the ones in a small-town - and having 4 kids - 2 under the age of 5, makes it difficult sometimes. Next school year, we're going to go every week on Friday (I think it'll be Friday). We need to get out of the house once in awhile :)
ReplyDeleteJamie,
ReplyDeleteI don't blame you for wanting to get out of the house once a week. It should be fun for the kids.
Sorry to hear that libraries there are not as friendly as they are here.
My kids goal (mine too) is to have our own little library. They purchase books every chance they get.