The benefits of using the library can easily be forgotten now that we all use the internet to look things up rather than using a book for research and many people, myself included, use an e reader rather than the traditional paperback novel.
The library has so much more to offer than just books though.
I used to take my eldest son to story time sessions at the library which he really enjoyed.
I’m not so sure that the other parents and children were quite so keen on him though, you see, my son was a slow talker and when he went to the story sessions he came to life, we shared books together at home many of which were read at this time, he would shout out what was going to happen next in some of the stories, I was just glad that he was talking at last but I could understand why others were not so impressed by this.
As a child minder I regularly took children to the library. a music and singing group was a firm favourite. We would sit in a circle with the children and sing songs, such as, The wheels on the bus and Twinkle, twinkle little star.
Half way through the librarian would bring out a box of musical instruments for the children. It was a bit of ‘a free for all’ and the children would dive in and grab what they wanted. One of the boys in my care was very kind and would take the box with the remaining instruments and pass it around to the children who hadn’t been brave enough to grab one for themselves. Other parents would comment saying “What a kind boy you have, how old is he?” When I explained that he wasn’t mine and that I was a child minder, I did on a few occasions get asked if I had any vacancies. Also while in the library waiting for the singing to start this same child picked up a book and said, “Look, Karen, another book by Julia Donaldson who wrote The Gruffalo,” again adults would take notice and as I always wore a t shirt with my child minding business name on it this was another way of advertising my service.
Libraries often have activities on offer during the school holidays for minimal charges
and there are computers available for anyone who doesn’t have one at home.
The library in my town also offer opportunities to join in with nature walks.
Now that I am no longer a child minder since stroke I use a different library service – adult colouring were I get to chat to other people and can even get a tea or coffee for a small donation.
Please make use of the library they are paid for from the council tax that we all pay. Plus showing support may help to prevent them from closing no one wants to lose such a valuable resource , do they?
I would be interested to hear how others use their library.
As always questions/comments are welcome and please share on your social media.
Until next time
Karen
x
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I used to love going to the library as a child and still think that they are magical places! #thesatsesh
We use our Library a great deal. They have passes that allow us to go to local places. We love to get books and DVD’s. We can even download books on a kindle. #thatsatsesh
Good blog, like you said “use it or loose it” like so many things in life we rarely appreciate something till we no longer have it. Keep up the good work Karen .
My favorite part of the library these days is the audio books section!
Our local library is brilliant, but really, not enough people know of all that is has to offer, or bother to use it! #mixitup
I love taking Little Miss OMG to the local library. There are puzzles and fairy doors that it’s impossible to pull her away from.
Her brother often brings books hone for her and she is now asking for her own library card.
#mixitup
When my kids were younger we would always use the library to pick up new books or just hang out after school but now they are older I never go. They are definitely an underused resource for parents and I would probably save myself a lot of money if I took books out from the library instead of buying them on Amazon 🙂 #pointshoot
We visit the library all the time. My son has Autism and he’s really loud and excited in there. Thankfully our library staff our super understanding and always say hello to him. We usually have the place to ourselves too so it’s no big deal if he is being loud anyway. #pointshoot
We are big fans of the library too! My hubby is studying now and has saved a small fortune borrowing the books he needed for his course! #pointshoot
We are very lucky to live just around the corner from our library. We are regular users. Thank you for linking up to #PointShoot 📸
Libraries are indeed very important. #thesatsesh
Libraries are so important and I’m glad that our local ones offer such a fantastic range of services to enhance the community. Thank you for linking up with #BestBootForward!
We love going to our local library. Our boys and mindees love it. Its part of our local heritage as well as local community #BloggerClubUK
So many libraries are closing or having their hours cut so it is important to make use of the facilities. Thanks for linking up with #globalblogging
I haven’t been to the library in so many years and I’m quite ashamed to say that I’ve never taken my son but I’m thinking it might be something we should do over the summer holidays. Thanks so much for sharing with #TriumphantTales.
I do love a library visit and I hope that as my girls get older they will do! Thanks so much for sharing with #Blogstravaganza xx
I used to go more with my eldest, so this has reminded me to go more with both the girls, especially over the summer hols. Thanks for sharing with #bloggersbest x
You are right Karen it is so easy in this internet age to forget about the wonders of a real book. I don’t use our local library as much as I did but am always pleased when I do pop in to see how busy it still is. #TweensTeensBeyond
we are very fortunate to have a library right around the corner. Just going in to browse and find new things to read has done a lot to help foster the love of reading in my daughter #TTB
My daughter always loved the library and it made for some great trips when she was smaller. Now we tend to buy more books as she is an avid reader. I love to see young people reading. #tweensteensbeyond
You have reminded me of all the reasons I used to go to the library. I used to take my boys to the library every Summer. And as a preschool teacher myself (though not anymore) I used to love taking my class to the library with the other teachers and they loved the circle time and music! #TweensTeensBeyond
I’m actually rediscovering our local library after neglecting it for a while. It really is a fantastic local resource. #TweensTeensBeyond