If you thought libraries were just draughty buildings with a lot of boring books in them, you've got a bit of catching up to do. My kids and I visit our local library at least once a fortnight. It's a free outing and we usually come back with armloads of goodies. Here are 10 reasons to visit your local library.
1)
DVDs – There are tons of DVDs to choose from, for kids and adults. Okay they might not be the latest releases but you get to borrow them for more than one night and you might just find that last series of Friends you've been hunting for.
2)
Magazines – Oh yes. To borrow. For free. Heaps of different magazines and many issues of each one. Run a bath, pour a glass of wine and relax with your stash of free mags.
3)
Storytime – Most councils run a free weekly Storytime session for pre-schoolers and some also run Rhymetimes or Tiny Tots Storytime for babies and toddlers. Check your local council website for details.
Borrow Big on Books at your Local Library
4)
Events – There may be a calendar of upcoming events planned for your local library. Anything from talks by an author to internet-classes-for-oldies, to kids singing Christmas carols (I kid you not). Your library will probably have a printed copy of events if you ask.
5)
Borrow Big – Our council allows up to 40 items to be borrowed at any one time, on one library card. Different types of material may have different loan times though, so check before you borrow.
6)
School Holiday Activities – Throughout the school holidays, your library may well have a programme of fun activities for kids to attend. These are usually limited to certain age groups and a certain number of children, so booking in advance is recommended. Not all activities are book related; there might be movie screenings, Play Station sessions, animal handling and all sorts.
7)
Internet Access – If your laptop has crashed or your WiFi has gone AWOL, you can use the library computers to access the internet instead.
8)
Linked Libraries – Your council will most likely have several libraries under it. You can borrow and return books from any of the libraries in your council using the same library card and you don't have to drop books back to the same library from which you borrowed them. Convenient? Oh yes.
9)
Clubs – Many libraries offer different clubs covering a range of ages for children to join. For example, one of our local libraries runs Book bugs; a club for kids in grades prep, 1, 2 and 3. Children who join the club can attend once a month from 4-5pm for an hour of book talk, puzzles, games competitions and art activities.
10) It's FREE!
