Why Kids Will Love A Trip to the Library
by Theresa Carpine4/18/2008 4:38:01 PM
Login to leave ratings
Average Rating : 0.0
When I was a kid, libraries always filled me with a sense of wonder and possibility. Let’s face it—they still do. Packed with a seemingly endless stock of books on any topic imaginable, libraries are some of my favorite places to visit. When we were growing up, frequent trips to our neighborhood library were a weekly highlight for me and my sister. To me, discovering the unusual worlds and heroic characters that existed between the pages of a book was always an adventure.
The Children's Library corner for storytime.
But I know that not all kids are as easily captivated by books. If they struggle with reading, going to the library might see like a frustrating reminder of what they don’t know, rather than an opportunity to practice and improve reading skills. And in a world of TV, DVD, and PSP, getting a kid to focus their attention on books can be a constant battle.
To find out what parents can do to get their kids excited about a trip to the library, I spoke with Bethany Hoglund, Children's Programming Specialist at the Bellingham Public Library. She had some great tips to share with parents about making the most out of their family's library experience.
The Bellingham Library, as well as the Fairhaven Branch and the Whatcom County Library Branches, offer regular story times for kids ages birth to eight years old. “Our story times and other events provide a great excuse to make a library visit. It’s also a great time for socializing with other parents,” Bethany said during a phone interview.
Just like the main library upstairs, the Children's Library has computers for catalogue searching, a hold's shelf, and self check-out.
During these events and regular library hours, the library staff always strives to make literacy exciting for kids. “We love ‘book talk,’” Bethany said. “And we’re always happy to make recommendations for books that parents might not know about.”
She also recommended that you keep track of all those curious questions kids that have about the world, so you can look for the answers at the library. “When your child asks why the sun shines, pay us a visit and have a librarian help find a book that will answer their question,” she suggested. No matter how young they might be, they’ll start to understand that the library is a great place to go when you have a question and eventually they’ll be able to find books and answers on their own.
And if you have time, ask for a library tour while you’re there. “We have so many great collections in the children’s department that can be hard to find, and we love to point them,” Bethany said. She noted that they have a growing collection of Spanish books, as well as a new graphic novel section. “It’s a new, fun collection, with great images for kids who are at a chapter book reading level,” she said.
Colorful displays to catch your child's eye.
The librarians also arrange fun displays of books that have bright colors to catch your child’s eyes. Sometimes the displays feature books on a similar topic, especially the topics that always seem to keep younger kids interested. “Whether they love horses or dump trucks, there are plenty of books at the library to interest each child,” Bethany said.
Another cool addition to the library’s services, for kids and adults, is the new downloadable audiobooks for MP3 players and burnable CDs through Northwest Washington Anytime Library. “We’re really excited about offering this feature for library patrons,” Bethany said. You can learn more about downloading audiobooks here.
The library is an especially great place to visit during the long days of summer. At the Bellingham Libraries, kids can participate in the summer reading program, earning coupons and pizza parties as incentive for reading books during their time off from school.
All libraries are great for exploring, but the friendly staff and unique set up at the Children's Library help kids feel especially at home. You can contact the Children’s Library by calling (360) 778-7200 and stay updated on great library events for kids on Neighborhood-Kids.com Activities.