Why trips to the library are important.

I've read a lot of posts about why building a home library for your children is important. I've also read a few posts with advice on how to build a home library for cheap. And while I think building a home library is very important, I think that taking actual trips to the library are just as, if not more important. 

Heres why..

Lessons in responsibility.

Do you remember your first library card? How excited you were to have one in YOUR name, not your moms?....How you now felt responsible? Checking out and returning books teaches a good lesson in responsibility and trustworthiness. Its an opportunity to teach our children about caring for things that are not ours. Children WANT responsibilities and allowing them to check out library books in their own name is a great tool for teaching such a lesson. They feel a sense of accomplishment when they take care of the books and return them in the condition they borrowed them in. 

Creating memories. 

taking regular trips to the library will give your child something to look forward to. Sure, we can go home and read a few books, but it wouldn't be as special.We go to the library every 2 weeks. Its something Jordyn looks forward to and gets happy about. We are creating memories and traditions that hopefully she will pass on to her children. She gets excited returning books and checking out new titles. 

Library activities.

Gone are the days where libraries were considered cold, quiet places where you couldn't make a peep without getting the "SHHHHH" from the librarian. Libraries are almost always alive with laughter and activities. We go on Wednesdays when they have lego club or arts and crafts club. So we can get our book browsing in and then have some fun active time. Most libraries have story time and puppet shows that the kids love. If your kids are older a lot of libraries offer teen activities as well. 

Nothing beats free.

going to the library gives your child exposure to more titles than you could probably ever afford. Lets face it, the price of books is a little outrageous. Library books are free. Jordyn has read almost every book in the Fancy Nancy series because of the library. The librarian can also help give advice on great titles and series for your child that you may not have even known about.  

Today, we are over run with technology, kids know how to play games on their iPad but can't name the title of their favorite book. Home libraries are great, but actually going out and experiencing the magic of a public library and all it has to offer is something that your children will never forget. Its a great experience and getting their own library card is every childs right of passage. Going to the library will help grow your childs love of reading because they aren't limited by just the titles they have at home. 

Make trips to the library a priority. I know that with school and sports and all of the other things going on in our lives, a trip to the library falls last on the priority list. But making a library trip a priority teaches your child that reading is a priority as well.

Xo, Jeanice