The Library is a Cool Place to Chill Out

It’s that time of year.  Just like the sudden heat waves and cicada serenades, the increase in children at the library during the day means that summer’s begun!  Summertime is the best time of year to re-discover the library, and there’s a little something for everyone.

For families with small children there are story-times geared towards the pre-school aged: Tuesdays at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m., and Wednesdays at 11 a.m.   Take a break--let someone else sing with your child and do funny voices to stories.  Storytime is also a great place to meet people.  The kids get to interact with other little ones, which is an important part of the developmental process.  And adults get to interact with other parents, which can almost feel like a social life!   

Storytimes are year-round, but what you’ll only find during June and July is the Summer Reading Program.  This means weekly programs, entertainers and crafts- all free.  This time of year you’ll find dozens of children in the back of the library pounding on buckets with Babaloo, or ooh-ing and aah-ing to the magic of Ronald McDonald himself.  It’s alot of fun, and the only requirement is signing up beforehand.  Plus, children who’ve signed up can read five books and get a prize!    

Just remember that the library’s not a place to drop off children by themselves. The library has an “Unattended Children” policy that is designed with children’s safety in mind.  It requires kids up to 10 years of age to have a parent or caregiver with them.  We care about your children and don’t want anything bad to happen, but we simply can’t be the parent who monitors and keeps track of them.  

Children over 10 years old can be without supervision, but they have to be well-behaved and have reliable transportation home.  Just like anyone else, they’re welcome to grab a computer to play games, watch videos and surf Facebook. And those youth age 12 to 18 can take part in the Teen Summer Reading Program, where they also read books and get a prize. There are also crafts, games, and an assortment of programs designed just for teens.  

If that’s not enough, and your teens are constantly bored, why not have them volunteer at the library?  It’s a good chance to get service hours (check with your school or organization to make sure they’ll count), build character, and get out of the house.  Now, it’s not all fun and games--we expect them to take it seriously and do unglamorous jobs like dusting, shelving books, and taking out recycling, among other tasks, but they’re treated with respect, appreciated for their help, and get to put this on future job applications.  They also get to know that they’re a part of what makes their library run, and that can be a pretty empowering feeling.

There’s plenty to offer to adults this summer, too.  For those lucky enough to get time off to go on a trip, stock up at the library first!  For long road trips, check out a book on CD to make the miles fly by.  If you’re going on a long flight, try a Playaway, which is like an MP3 player that plays a whole book.  It’s small, convenient, and could fit in your pocket if you’re pressed for carry-on space. Or pick up a book or two to read once you get wherever you’re going.  Trust me, we’ve got plenty of those.

If you aren’t going on any trips this summer, I sympathize!  But hot summer days are the perfect time to chill out at the library.  Use some down time to work your way through books you’ve always put off for ‘another day.’  Make that day now!  Or ask staff for a recommendation--we’re bound to find something.  

Another option for adults this summer is trying one of the adult programs we offer at the library.  There’s a weekly card club, craft club, and an exercise class for adults with arthritis or limited mobility.  There’s a monthly photography club and group that studies the paranormal. All of these are a good chance to meet others, and try new things--all for the low cost of ... nothing.  

And that’s not all--we offer programs throughout the year, from ideas on job hunting and resume writing, to crafts and hobbies like gardening.  We have an Authors Day on July 23, where local authors from the area will get together to exchange ideas and encouragement about the world of writing and publishing.  Programs like that are based on suggestions from patrons just like you--so if there’s ever something you wish we would offer, let me know!  My goal is to make the library an enjoyable place to be not just during the summer, but the whole year.