List o' fun-- The Library

 WARNING:  This post has lots of pictures and even more information.  Don't be alarmed.  It's all good!

The library probably seems like an obvious place to take a child, and it is.  However, the library is so much more than a place to check out books and go to story hour.  I don't think the average person even knows about all the library has to offer.

The first thing I tell people about the library is that you need to shop around.  This had never occurred to me until I started working with Little Man, and I assume it hasn't occurred to most.  Usually people just go to the library that's closest to them, right?  When I started out, I took Little Man to the "city" library whose name matched his address.  It has fun stuff, but the story time was literally in a room with 4 white walls.  The story time had music and finger plays and books, but the atmosphere was missing.  Their children's area was great, but that wasn't where the story was held.  Someone told me about another library that was close and we checked it out.  It is AMAZING.  At least I think so.  I don't remember libraries every being so cool when I was growing up.

It has a story garden theme and the story time is literally in a castle.

See the wooden castle doors?  There are 4 doors entering the story time area.

A toddler story time was taking place, which is why the doors were closed.

Surrounding the outside of the castle are life like characters from books.

 

  

Inside the castle is just as cool

 

  

Hello! Comfy benches for the adults to sit on!!

Story time is also not what it use to be.  It's not just read a book or two and be done.

They sing songs, practice rhymes, use a felt board for illustrations, practice numbers/letters/counting, move around to songs and finger plays, have bubble time and so much more.

There are other things that I like about the library besides just a fun place to have story time.

When we go (usually every other week) we spend a minimum of an hour there, but could easily spend two or more hours.  I see lots of hours at the library with my own children some day.  It's FREE! :)

There are three tables set up to listen to books on computer.

I believe each table has at least four computers.  There is always one open!

Little Man listens to a story (or two, or three) while I pick out our books.

They also have a big one of these and a little one of these.

 

Why do kids love these so much?

You can see there is a table off in the background...

There are always crayons and theme or holiday related coloring sheets set out.

Little Man isn't into coloring, so this is generally something we skip.

Little Man LOVES to play with the felt board.

He will practice his letters, sing songs, count shapes, make patterns, or just use his imagination for whatever story or activity pops into his little head.

They also have a box of puppets and a tree house for the kids to play with.

 

Little Man was putting on a show for me! :)

Doesn't it make you want to be a kid again?

These are all just things we do on our regular library visit, but like I said at the beginning... 

there is SO MUCH MORE!

Right now we are taking a music class at one of our local libraries.  You have to register to reserve a spot, but it's free!  And it goes for 4 weeks.  How fabulous is that?

They have other themed preschool programs as well.  One was a preschool sock hop. Another was about outerspace.  The activities they had for the kids to do were "out of this world" (pun intended), and I can tell you that as a teacher it takes a lot to impress me when it comes to these things.  We plan on going to a superhero one at the end of the month.

During the summer there are all sorts of stuff going on.

Some of our favorites are:

• "The turtle lady".  She makes her rounds (and her living) talking about and showing lots and lots of turtles.  She sets up a big tarp, the kids all sit around the edges, and she lets the turtles roam while she talks.  Then at the end the kids get to "pet" the turtles.
• Puppet shows featuring some of our favorite authors.
• Concerts featuring wild and lively musicians singing all the classics.
• The snake and reptile show (similar to the turtle lady)
• Make and take arts and crafts

This is only scratching the surface of what libraries have to offer.

Check your local libraries calendar out.

Don't forget to shop around.  The closest library might not be the best.  

Drive the extra ten or fifteen minutes and have a blast with your kids.  I promise it's worth it.