7 Ways to Get the Most out of Your Local Library

I realize not all public libraries are the same or have the same resources available, but you won't know what they have until you check it out. Here are some things to help you get started, some may apply to you and some may not, but these are some things ours offers.

1. Join the Summer Reading Program! Often there are prizes you can win for reading a certain number of books or number of hours. Any age can join at our library, 0-Adults. Parents can read to little ones who aren't reading yet.

2. Check the library's website or call for schedule of events. We went for storytime yesterday and ended up getting a free lunch for Snugglepuppy that we didn't even know about!

3. Go to storytime or baby laptime. They usually make it interactive and have songs and movement activities as well to keep your little ones from getting bored or antsy.

4. Download their app on your phone or tablet. I LOVE this feature at our library, you can check your account to see what books you have out, renew books, search the catalogue and reserve books. It's so convenient!

5. Sign your child up for a library card and teach them how to use the online catalogue to find books/videos. Begin to teach kids responsibility by letting them have their own card and teaching them how to take care of books. Also, some libraries have a program where you can "borrow" e-books. 

6. Let your kids play in the kids play area. Ours has a play farmer's market, a puppet show, blocks, and much more!

7. Use it as a quiet place to READ! Keep the distractions to a minimum and take time to actually read those books you or your kids love.

I'm sure there are many more things to do there. Comment if you have any to add!

Chronicles of Summertime: Day 6

I will start with some things we did over the weekend. We went to the library's Summer Reading Program Kick-off. Snugglepuppy had lots of fun and met Maisy and made Maisy ears to wear. He made a sand castle and saw a magic show. He also got his face painted and a tattoo!

We also went to COSI, our local children's science museum. Snugglepuppy played in the water area and saw the Mythbuster's exhibit for daddy's birthday.

I actually did a post about this water area at COSI earlier and here is a list of things kids can learn here:

Mythbusters Exhibit

We stopped by the Art Festival that was going on downtown near COSI and had a look around and a bite of food. It was a fun weekend!

Day 6:
Today was another RAINY lazy day. We didn't do too much in the morning. Snugglepuppy played with his castle he made at the library using playdough and cars. He built a road for his cars with it. Then, after cleaning that up, we started reading some library books for the summer reading program. He liked the 3 Little Pigs and helped the wolf (he calls it a dog) blow down the houses. Then we read Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons. As an extension, we watched the Youtube video of Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes.

And lastly, we made the fruit and yogurt parfait from Snugglepuppy's Highlights High Five Magazine.

Crushing the graham crackers.

Smashing the raspberries (we changed the recipe a little).

 Adding the graham crackers on top.

The final product.

Digging in!

Chronicles of Summertime: Day 3

Day 3:
After filling up on a yummy breakfast of waffles, we decided to visit the library. There are so many things for kids to do at our branch in addition to finding books. Snugglepuppy of course went immediately to the play area. He played with the play food in the "farmers market" section they have set up interacting with some other children who were there. He also played with the blocks and few other toys. He briefly went to the computers, although he didn't stay long as the headphones weren't working and he couldn't figure out what to do.

While there, we also signed up for the Summer Reading program. This year they are having a castle theme for their opening kick-off this Saturday. Here is a list of books I picked out for Snugglepuppy (and Squeaker):

				Daddy hugs 1 2 3
				Follow those feet! (Dora)
				Go-go gorillas
				Grandma's house (Dora)
				Guess who, Minnie!
				LMNO peas
				My garden
				Night light
				Pete the cat and his four groovy buttons
				Shout! Shout it out!
				Splish, splash, splosh!
				The three little pigs Are you my mother?

We came home and I attempted to give Snugglepuppy a nap. And Squeaker was unusually hungry today, so we really didn't get much else accomplished. Snugglepuppy did play with some of the apps on the iPad and watched Team Umizoomi on TV. I attempted to make a cupcake recipe from Pinterest and failed horribly on the icing when I realized I was supposed to use freeze-dried raspberries instead of frozen raspberries. Oh well, there's always next time.