I heart my library!

big brown horse

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Our county's regional library has a wonderful program for kiddos (and parents) this summer. Perhaps many libraries are also doing this. Anyway, I think it is the best summer time library activity as of yet. (On top of the summer reading programs.)

Earlier in the summer (we couldn't participate until now b/c she was at her dad's) our library system provided "passports" for kiddos of all ages. Each of the 9 branches was featured on the passport.

On each library page to be stamped there was interesting info about the library, a photo of the library and a "puzzler". Sam had to answer the puzzler in order to get her passport stamped at each library. One puzzler asked "when is it was ok to put a rock through a window?". That particular library's architect incorporated a boulder (common around here) right into the window so it could be sat on inside and outside. We wouldn't have known if we hadn't gone on a mad search of that library.

After lots of seaching, we also found the tiny (hidden) library located on an American Indian Reservation. I never even knew it was there.

Anyway, it has taken us 2 full days so far and we have one more library left to go. We brought along sack lunches and had picnics out on the grounds of different libraries. It was a great few days spent together. I know my daughter (13 year old) had a blast and so did I.

Oh, and we checked out books and cds galore. She read in the car while I listened to great cds like Yo-Yo Ma's "Obrigado Brazil". Perfect mommy and daughter time. :)

(Luckily we live out in the country so we didn't have any hectic city driving to do, it may not have been quite as fun.)

On top of all that fun, she will get a free library bag and be in the running for other cool prizes when she turns in her finished passport. We would have had fun no matter though.

Anyone have similar fun or interesting library adventures?

edit: typos :/
 

cjparker

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"Libraries will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no books."

I don't know where that quote originated but it sure rings true for me. At any given time I have 10-books on loan from the library. My library has a searchable, online database so I can browse by subject and see what they have available. It's the best deal in town!
 

big brown horse

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I love that quote!

Our regional library even has a book mobile. It is purple and all the kiddos (and adults, I admit) know "her" as "Violet". :p

It takes me 15-20 min to get to our city branch from way out here, but Violet parks within walking distance down a nearby dirt road for us bumpkins every Sat am. You can order any book the library system has and Violet will bring it right to your front door...almost.


Libraries do rock! :thumbsup
 

bibliophile birds

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wow, your library system sounds SOOOOO wonderful. ours is terrible. we have a beautiful new library that cost a fortune but their selection is not very impressive.

what i wouldn't give to have a library system like yours.
 

wooddustmaker

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I used to support the local library in the form of overdue fines, and lost books. Would love to have a library card again.
 

big brown horse

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I get a fine once in a while here and there too. :p Nobody is perfect. :)

BBirds, this library will pretty much order any book you want if they don't have it. :)

BlackBird, I too thought bookmobiles were extinct b/c nowhere in TX (that I lived) did they have them. I haven't seen one in 30 or so years, since my childhood back in WI.
 

freemotion

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I also used to support my local libraries with fines. Then a librarian client told me that those fines don't support the library. They go to the town and the mayor decides how the money is spent, and then cuts the library budget! So I have made sure I never paid a fine again! I do attend "Friends of the Library" book sales whenever possible, though.

Our library has some great services that you might also have access to. I can call the research section and ask a question, and they will research it for me online. I can also request books by title or by subject, and a librarian will deliver them to me every other Thursday....will yours?

Oh, and you have to give her a therapeutic massage when she drops the books off.... :D
 
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