The newness of summer is over by now, and school’s still a few weeks away. If you’re running out of ideas for affordable activities, why not head for the library? Here are 10 reasons we could think of to take the family to the library.
10. Everyone can find something interesting.
Pick any topic from A to Z, and learn more about it at the library, no matter how young or old you are. From aardvarks to zebras, or the Aare River to zymograms, you can learn about it in the library. Can’t pick a topic? Check out “Life’s Imponderables: Answers to civilization’s most perplexing questions,” or any of the “Imponderables” books by David Feldman. This handy volume includes all the wake-up-at-night questions you can think of, and some you haven’t, from three of Feldman’s works in one handy volume: Why do clocks run clockwise? When do fish sleep? Why do dogs have wet noses? See also “Do Penguins have Knees,” “Do Elephants Jump,” and “How does Aspirin find a Headache?”
9. It’s cool inside.
Why stay at home wishing you had air conditioning, when the library is comfortable even when it’s hot outside? Curious about how air conditioning works? Check out “Refrigeration and air conditioning technology” by William C. Whitman, or any of the many books and manuals on the subject. Contemplating a career in HVAC or heating and air conditioning? Try “Opportunities in heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration careers” by Richard Budzik. Wondering if there are eco-friendly alternatives to air conditioning? Don’t miss “Losing our cool: uncomfortable truths about our air-conditioned world (and finding new ways to get through the summer)” by Stan Cox.
8. The chairs are comfy and come in many sizes.
All KCLS libraries offer little chairs for little kids, casual chairs for relaxed reading and sturdy chairs and tables for studying, writing and research. Looking for stories about chairs, but you’ve already covered Goldilocks? For toddlers, try “Bears on chairs” by Shirley Parenteau, or for kids who like to cook, check out “A good soup attracts chairs: a first African cookbook for American kids” by Fran Osseo-Asare. Want to design, build, paint, fix or upholster a chair? KCLS offers dozens of books and guides on chairs. Just enter chairs as a keyword and search the catalog. Trying to remember a funny movie you saw a while back? Was it a slapstick comedy, “The Twelve Chairs”? KCLS has that too, on DVD.
7.Current magazines feature new ideas in many languages. KCLS subscribes to 2221 periodicals, from the “American Aviation Historical Society (AAHS) Journal” to “The Wine Spectator.” The list is searchable by title, topic, age group, language, full text, and databases that contain substantial archives. You can read the latest issue in the library, or check out back issues for articles that interest you.
6. Internet access is Free
If that broadband subscription was more than the family budget could bear, take your laptop to the library for free WiFi. No laptop? Reserve a computer work station to write reports, recipes and resumes.
5. Story times in English and other World Languages help babies and toddlers build early learning skills. It’s never too early to read to your baby, and story times make learning fun for you and your little ones. KCLS also offers early learning tips for parents and caregivers, board books, music and DVDs for little ones and 213 Books to Grow On theme kits filled with books, music, toys and activity guides on subjects from colors and shapes, to potty training, to the ocean and recycling.
4. The children’s collection offer more than 5,000 titles tailored for youngsters, including books, magazines, movies on DVD, music CDs, books on tape, in sections where toddlers and elementary school students can browse and choose the items they want.
3. The teen collection offers more than 1,100 titles for teens, in books, music, DVDs and magazines. Plus, most libraries have teen areas for activities and reading.
2. It’s free! There’s no charge to use KCLS library materials, services and programs—just be sure to bring them back on time.
1. Summer readers are stronger readers, and the results show when they go back to school with better reading skills
What’s are your favorite reasons for visiting your library?
