This week marked the end of an "era" for me and my kiddos. My son "graduated" the preschool morning story time session at our library. I am pretty sure I was more affected by this than he was! For him, it just means that now he officially is one of the "big kids" in afternoon story time. For me, it means that a regular part of my weekly life (and mom identity!) is gone forever! Every Tuesday morning at 10:30 for the past 7 years, we have happily made our way to our local library for childrens' storytime. While there were inevitably scheduling issues occasionally, this was the one non-negotiable event on our schedule (besides worship, obviously!) each and every week. Anytime possible, dr's appts, playdates, vacations, and other fun things were adjusted to make sure our library time was not interrupted. Our childrens' library staff is absolutely incredible, and they help foster a love of books in my children that I could not possibly do alone. The kids' section is front and center in our local branch, and it is so inviting to kids of all ages! The books are loosely alphabetized, but there is no stress about making sure they are perfectly lined up in place. Familiar stuffed characters line the shelves for kids to snuggle them while they read. Puzzles are on every surface, even some that make noises...in the library! While the kids are taught to be quiet in the library, they are not "shushed" when excitement from a story bursts forth. They are encouraged to experience the books and library to the fullest extent. All library staff learns their names upon their first or second visit, and they interact cheerfully with them on their level each time.
So...beyond all that (and in no particular order), why do I love the library?
1. It is free. Reading can be an expensive hobby if you purchase all the books you read. We generally average 40 books per checkout session (a few less now that both are reading mostly chapter books). There is no way my kids could read that much if we had to provide them all!
2. It allows my kids to explore the whole world in a safe setting. We have "traveled" to all kinds of lands during story time, some real and some imaginary!
3. My children are encouraged to explore all their senses. A weekly parade with small instruments begins each session, and it is with no small measure of pride that parents watch their children progress from being held in the parade to toddling around holding hands to finally marching independently (or even leading younger siblings!).
4. The kids express themselves through crafts. So many kids have no idea how to do arts and crafts anymore! We, as parents, often tend to avoid the "mess" that comes from creativity. Thus, our kids no longer creatively solve problems or create new ways of doing things. They don't have a chance to express what they know and love and see. At library, we give them that chance!
5. My kids hear that books are cool from someone who "knows," unlike Mommy, who knows nothing! :)
6. We experience cultural and community things to which we otherwise would not be exposed. (Fire Safety demos/driving fire trucks, learning to call 911, ballet, KinderMusik, fiddle players, Imagination Library plays, snakes, creek stomping, and the list goes on and on!)
7. We meet kids we'd never meet in school. Some from other schools or towns, some home-schoolers, etc. We meet kids from all groups, types, abilities, etc. We learn that, though all are different, we are also all the same.
8. We see that even grown-ups like to read!
9. We have a chance to read with and to others (including a therapy dog).
10. We get to be in the newspaper (yes, it's a small town!).
11. We got to participate in several local Imagination Library events.
12. Mrs. Ashlee makes the kids feel sooooo special.
13. It is a safe place to burn off steam on a rainy, snowy, or whiny day.
14. It keeps them away from a screen!
Though I could go on and on, this should be enough to convince you to take your little one to a local library program! Do it today, or tomorrow, or whatever day YOURS meets!
Hmmm...this post still isn't how I wanted it...may be revised later. :)
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