Oh the Library! The smell of old books, the latest page turner, the comfy reading nooks and screaming children... Oh wait. Scratch that last one from the list!
Libraries and all the resources they provide are great for children, parents, homeschoolers or anyone! Also, the love of learning and a love of books often go hand in hand. These things often start at a young age and take root in your child's head and heart too. There really is no reason why you shouldn't take your children to the library starting young! The noise factor can be an intimidating one though, especially for the first few trips.
So, I have complied a list of some of my favorite tips for a successful library day with your kids!
1.
Pick a Day With an Organized Library Activity!
A quick Google search should lead you right to your local library's website or facebook page. Every library has a section devoted to at least a few events each month. Most libraries have special days that are just for babies, children, teens and adults. Any day and time that is scheduled for a childhood story hour or craft is a great introduction time to the library. Quietness and respect is taught, but in a friendly and light way. Sometimes these can actually be pretty loud. (Like most o the events at our library!) So this is perfect to teach that a library is a great place to learn and have fun, but also introduce them to library rules in a place where as a parent, you are't likely to want to run out of there if your child is loud!
* Bonus *
These events are also like the jackpot for meeting other mom friends!
2.
Bring Snacks.
Yup, I went there. Totally have sacks on hand! Of course you don't want to be giving your child pringles at the coloring table, but you do want a well fed child. Anyone knows, a well fed child is a happy child! I keep nutrigarin type of bars and some cheerios in baggies or mini pretzels on hand. I make sure that BEFORE we go in, they get something little in their bellies. It makes a huge difference in making sure they're all topped off.
Sometimes if the toddler is getting restless and loud but my other children are all happily reading, I'll pass him a pretzel stick. Works wonders, truly. Also, spill proof sippys.
3.
Look at Grown Up Books First.
Most parents I know who are taking their young / many children to the library are not realistically planing on spending a lot of time looking for books for themselves. Especially if you have very young children with you. That being said, sometimes you have to plan on the inconvenient for a little self care.
I know if I wouldn't have taken my young babies with me to look through the adult section, I would simply have never checked out anything for myself.
Resist the temptation to let your children have fun first. After they have bee playing and reading in the children's section, they absolutely will not want to leave to walk around so close, yet so far away from the fun section. You want to avoid this battle at all costs!
And don't think you can get them a book or two then go to the
adult book section. Once they have even seen the children's section of the library, they are lost to you.
* Bonus Tip*
This is not the time to search and search for your perfect read! Get to your general area of interest, grab a small pile and move on. You can always return and get new titles when you come back!
4.
Keep the Visit Short and Sweet.
This rule is pretty self explanatory and says it all. A full and happy 20 minutes will refresh you and your child! An amazing 45 minutes with the last 5 minutes of your child crying or getting loud or running into things and you leaving embarrassed will dull the joy of the whole visit. Leave while ahead!
5.
Bring Backup
Any good mission is made all that much better with a strong team. Be it spouse, mom, sister or friend; having and extra pair of hands can help a lot!
6.
Go During the Afternoon.
This is when most people expect that young children may be at the library. People who go to the library for study seem to be there early or late. Adult students who work tend to go in early evening, seemingly after work and before home. Lots of libraries hold adult meetings or adult book clubs in the evenings as well. Afternoon just has always seemed the easiest in my opinion.
7.
Bring a Sweater.
They keep those libraries chilly! Gotta Keep those hot reads cool I guess.
8.
Go Before Ya' Gotta Go.
Have all children use the bathroom before you leave. And if the library is a bit of a drive for you, once you get there, hit up the potty first.
9.
Treat Libraries with Respect.
This is definitely one of those examples where our children watch what we do and will mimic our behavior. Library respect is so easy and simple, yet such a huge deal.
When we play with toys, we pick them up. When we take something out, we put it away. We treat other people's things with more care than our own. Care and respect in this area will assure that we are always welcome back happily!
* Bonus Tip*
If your children are very young, there will probably be a bookshelf of books in random order where children can freely pick up and put back whatever seems interesting. If they can walk.
If your children are a little older, they may walk around and see books in shelves they want to look at.
It's natural for a child, especially a helpful child, to put the book back in a shelf when they are done. The only problem with this is even a book or two over from the original spot can throw off the system! Teach your children about the well thought out and complex system they have for keeping each and every single book in the whole library in order.
Locate and show your children where the designated bookshelf is to put back books you're not interested in. Or, set them in a neat pile on one of the tables.
10.
Enjoy Your Visit!
Don't forget to enjoy your children, the library and the visit! Like with anything parenting, you have to relax a little, sometimes lower your expectations for what you had in mind and remember this is all a process towards a greater good.We're raising little children to become well rounded, independent adults with a love for the Lord. Don't let fear ruin this precious time!
99% of the librarians I have run into understand children and most libraries these days are looking for ways to gain more patrons. I can't tell you how often I have had a librarian either come up to me or talk to me as I was checking out to encourage me to come back because it's so wonderful to see mom's introduce a love of reading! Libraries love seeing people come to read!
So go and have fun with your littles at the library! What tips would you add to this list? Let me know in the comment section!
