This week, April 10-16, 2016, is National Library Week. I know, I know, not as exciting as National Donut Day or National No Housework Day (yes, that’s a real thing), but stick with me…
National Library Week is legit. It began in 1958 and is sponsored by the American Library Association. Their website reads, “It is a time to celebrate the contributions of our nation’s libraries and librarians and to promote library use and support.”
As much as I love donuts and no housework, I am a sucker for libraries. Because books! Free books! I know that taking little kids to the library can sometimes be painful, but I think it’s worth it. Believe me, I’ve had my fair share of bad experiences at the library – like the one time my toddler threw himself on the floor in a screaming fit and a librarian came up to me and said, “Excuse me, but this is a library. He needs to be quiet.” Ohhhhh, okay.
Anyway, bad times aside, I still go to the library – with and without my kids. And I talk to librarians. Why? Because librarians know everything. No really. They are like literary Googles that think. Use them – ask for book recommendations, or for help finding what you need. Like the bathroom.
The library is full of fun resources. In celebration of National Library Week, discover something new this week!
Here are some of my favorite things the library has to offer, besides the usual picture books and novels:
- Audiobooks – I spend a lot of time driving kids around and sometimes its fun to pop in a book. For younger kids, try listening to well-known picture books with good rhythm, like Dr. Suess or Pete the Cat. For ages, 4-8, Magic Tree House or Ivy and Bean are great choices because they are short and full of adventure.
- Overdrive – This is an app where you can connect to your library and download books or audio books right onto your phone. After three weeks, it returns automatically, so you don’t have to worry about late fees! Score!
- Music CDs – Occasionally it’s fun to check out kid music. Emphasis on the word occasionally. Heaven knows you can only listen to “Imagination Movers” so many times. The best part? You have to return it. (Sorry kids! I forgot to renew it!)
- Nonfiction books – we love to check out books on how to make origami, paper airplanes, duct tape projects, and other crafts. We also love nonfiction books on animals – like sharks and bugs. Did you know that there is an average of 50,000 spiders in an acre of green area? Ew!
- Graphic Novels – My kids love graphic novels, and the library has a great selection. Their new favorite is HiLo by Judd Winick.
And don’t forget that libraries have great activities for kids!
Here are some of the upcoming events at our local libraries in the North Hills:
(Please check library websites for registration policies and descriptions of events.)
Northland Public Library
April 11th: Science Tots Storytime, 10am or 1pm
April 12th: Tuesday Toddler Time, 9:30am
Music and Movement, 11am or 1pm
Family Fun Night, 7-8pm
April 13th: Wednesday Storytime, 9:30am or 10:30am
Family Reading Night, 6:30pm
April 14th: Thursday Baby Time, 9:30am
April 15th: Family sleepover, 7pm
Shaler North Hills Library
April 10th: Sunday Family Stories, 1:30pm
April 11th: Mother Goose Storytime, 10:15am or 11:15am
Parachute Play, 10:45am or 11:45am
Monday Lunch Bunch (ages 4-6), 12:15pm
Book Babies at Night, 6:30pm
April 12th: Meet Mickey Mouse, 6:30pm
Book Babies, 10:15am or 11:15am
Discovery Kids (ages 3+), 11:15am
April 13th: Toddler Fun, 10:15am or 11:15am
Drama Play, 10:45am
Mighty Math, (pre-k), 1:15pm
Wednesday Wiggles, 6:30pm
Parachute Play at Night, 7pm
April 14th: Dance Party, 10:15am
Sign Language for Little Ones, 11:15am
Lego WeDo Robotics (1st-6th grade), 7pm
April 15th: Preschool Express, 10:15am
Music Adventure, 11:15am
Friday Lunch Bunch (ages 4-6), 12:15
April 16th: Saturday Family Stories, 10:30am
Sewickley Library
April 11th: Parachute Play for Toddlers and Preschoolers, 6:45pm
April 12th: Babies and Books, 9:30am, 10:15am or 1pm
April 13th: 2-Year-Old Storytime, 9:30am or 10:15am
April 14th: Preschool Storytime, 9:30am or 1:30pm
Toddler and Preschool Dancy Party, 6:45pm
April 16th: American Girl: Truly Me, (grades K-5), 1pm
