How to Make the Most of Your Local Library

Something magical occurs when you introduce a child to the library. Their eyes light up when they realize those books contain stories and pictures they’ve never heard or seen. And they can take the books home! The library is not only magical, but useful.

From STEM games to activity kits to community events, your local library has free resources and information to offer. Charlene Beach manages Outreach Services at Coeur d’Alene Public Library in Idaho. “Libraries are so much more than books now,” she said.

Like many parents during the pandemic, I needed some help entertaining my kids. I learned I could email a librarian with my child’s favorite topics (fire trucks, dinosaurs, puppies) and his age (3). Then the librarian would choose specific books we could check out.

Dena Moscheck is the children's department head at Alice and Jack Wirt Public Library in Bay City, Mich. She loves when a kid asks her a question she doesn't know the answer to. One young patron wanted picture books with a lamp post in them. The request was difficult to accomplish, but the boy was thrilled when she did.

“It’s really joyful to help kids find the things that they are looking for and help surprise and delight them,” Moscheck said. “You get to be a little of a detective to make sure you’re asking the right questions and finding what they want. Do they want an informational book about dinosaurs or a storybook with a dinosaur main character?”

Let your child pick out books that interest them. Let them chat with the librarians, examine the interactive elements offered, and wander the aisles. The library is a great way to encourage a love of learning and exploring.

Librarians all over the country used their creativity and limited resources to provide services to families during the pandemic. Beach made use of “Storytime in a Box” from Idaho Public Television. Idaho Public Television sent her four different boxes. Each box had craft materials, stickers, and a book for the library to add to its collection.

One box contained materials to create your own Chia Pets: sponges, pipe cleaners, googly eyes, spray bottles, and seeds. Beach decided to get creative. She thought kids could instead craft monsters and paired it with the book, “Go Away, Big Green Monster.”

The library was closed to the public at the time, but Beach used the boxes at a local daycare center. “[The box] was open-ended with lots of different ideas. I could fit it to the group I was working with,” Beach said. “It made it so easy.”

My 3-year-old son has never been to Pennsylvania. But a librarian’s virtual tour of the Butler Area Public Library entranced him. What captured his attention? Clifford the Big Red Dog, the branch's mascot for its Library Explorers program.

Library Explorers was created by the Library Programming department at public media station WQED in Pittsburgh. It was meant to encourage residents to visit local libraries. But when COVID hit, patrons could only visit these libraries online. WQED adapted and asked librarians film a tour of their children’s section and include a PBS KIDS character.

As manager of “Inquire Within” at WQED Library Programming, Liz Kostandinu knows the advantages of featuring PBS KIDS characters. “Some people are intimidated by the library,” she said. “But if they see Daniel Tiger or the Wild Kratts, it gets them in the door. And that opens up an entire world of possibilities they didn’t know even existed.”

If your child is hesitant to explore the library, find a few books there that feature their favorite characters. These familiar faces will help them feel more comfortable in a new location and get them excited to learn.

“Everything we do is provided to families free of charge,” Moscheck said. “Libraries are for everyone.” Here are fun benefits to find at your local library:

• The library is a simple way to meet your neighbors. “It’s a great place to bring kids to meet other kids their age,” said Moscheck. “We see so many of our stay-at-home families meet other families and get to know other people in their community.”
• Most patrons now can visit their library worry-free. That’s because libraries are ditching late fees. Moscheck said they wanted to encourage patrons to return.
• Many libraries provide more than books. At the Coeur d’Alene Public Library, you can find LEGO kits and STEM toys free to use. “We do our best to listen to families and find out what they want to see in the library in terms of resources and programs,” Moscheck said. “Making families of all kinds feel welcome is central to what we do.”
• In addition to what your library can physically hold, online options are typically available. Hoopla and Libby are library apps that let you download audiobooks and e-books to a reading device or phone.
• No library has enough shelf space to hold each book that’s been printed. Moscheck said homeschool families often ask about certain books they want to incorporate into lesson plans. If her library doesn’t have a copy, an interlibrary loan can request it from libraries across the state.

I didn’t take full advantage of my library until I saw how magical my toddler viewed it. Now, we try to visit at least once a week. It helps me feel like I’m a part of my community because the library is for everyone. Still unsure of what your local library has to offer? Stop by and ask your librarian. They’ll be happy to help.