There is a magical place full of wonder and adventure right in your very own town. Whether it is going on a bear hunt, sailing with Columbus across the ocean blue, or helping a young sleuth solve a whodunit, there are a myriad of wonders waiting to be discovered and it is all happening at your local library.
Libraries are a wonderful resource for children and adults alike, and the best thing about libraries? Â They are free and almost every town has one.
Writer Lilian Braun Jackson once said that a library card is the start of a lifelong adventure. I could not agree more. Getting your child his or her own library card is a great way to encourage a lifetime of reading and learning.
Most libraries allow children to obtain their own cards once they have reached school age, so usually around the age of 5 or 6, but some libraries allow children of any age to have a library card, even babies! Having their own card can make kids feel grown-up and can get them excited about visiting the library.
Their First Library Card: How to Make the Most of It
Here are a few things you can do to help ensure that your child gets the most out of their new library card:
Pick out books with your child.
Picking out books together is a fun activity for parent and child to do together, and it helps ensure that your child is picking out books appropriate for her age level and that coincide with your family values. Steer your child toward books that match her interests, which helps keeps reading fun.
Utilize the library computers.
Most libraries have computers set up for children which are preloaded with learning apps and games. Teach your child how to logon and what games to play for her age level. Allow her to play while you sit and read, it will give you both something to look forward to when coming to the library.
Participate in library events.
The main motivation of the library system is to encourage and foster a love of reading and learning as well as a sense of community. One way they do this is by hosting fun events and activities such as book readings, arts and crafts days, and chess tournaments. Signing your child up for some of these events and activities is a great way to encourage your child to be active in the community.
 Let your child check out items from the media center.
Libraries offer much more than just books. They also have a media center with DVDs, magazines, and games that can be checked out with your library card. Allow your child to check out a movie for family movie night, or a children’s magazine that interests her. The media center can help keep the library interesting.
Having their own library card is a big deal to kids, but it is also a big responsibility. Be sure to teach children the importance of taking care of books and items they check out, as well as what is acceptable behavior while you are at the library.
Fostering a love of reading is one of the greatest gifts you can give your child, and the public library is a great resource to aid in that endeavor. Take the time to explore your local library and immerse your child in knowledge and learning. A library card really is the gift that keeps on giving. Happy reading!
I had a library card fromt he time I was very young on and loved spending time in the library, even though there were only a limited number of books I could use because I’m blind (ie. those on tape or with large enough rpint when I sitll had some vision). I never used th elibrary computers. I am however also a lifelong member of the library for the blind and it’s great. As a child, I loved looking through the catalog with my mother and selecitng books I may want to read.
My boys each have their own library card, but we hardly ever go. I have so many books at home and they haven;t even read half of them yet.
I love this. You’ve got to really instill a love of reading in kids when they’re young, and making it super fun is the best way to do that.
Excellent to read about encouraging children to use the library. It can be a lot of fun, and very informative for them, and it gets them away from the computer.
My kiddo LOVES going to the library. He picks out way more than what he can read, but I love the ambition!
Each of my children got their library cards for the first time this year. We love going to the library and checking out books. I taught them how to use the computers to look up where their books are as well.
These are great tips. It is important that we encourage our kids to read. Visiting the library is one of our favorite weekend activities.
these are great ideas. We did some of the same things. In most of the cities we’ve lived in, they’ve had great library events and reading programs.
I got my son’s first library card when he was 1 month old. They gave us a free book. Lol. I have to go back for reading events for kids soon, I’m sure my boys would love it.
I can still remember the day my daughter got her first library card! She was so happy!
I’ll be honest, as much as I hardly ever let my kids use technology at home (i.e., iPads, etc) I also still haven’t taken them to the library. Mainly because we have a ton of books at home and also because they ar still quite young. I would like to get them into the habit when they get a bit older.
I love my local library and I love to see kids there checking out books and movies and using computers. The library is such a great, underutilized resource.
I love sharing posts about education and reading especially – I perform baby sign language story times in San Diego and share tips with moms about ways to read to keep baby interested. I know this will be a valuable post to the moms with older kids!
Our boys LOVE the library and will soon be getting their own cards. I know they cannot wait! Theyre so excited!
I used to have a library card until I began blogging. Now. we use hubby’s card when we tale the kids to the library.
Libraries are so underused now’days – and I’m the first to admit that it’s been forever since we’ve been! We need to make it a priority to get back there and go weekly!
My kids love going to the library. I wish we could go more often.
I remember when the kids got their first library card. They were so excited to take books home. They are teenagers and still enjoy going to the library for a new book.
Our son was overjoyed and so excited when we got him his first library card. And yes, we taught him how to take care of books and his card as well.
My daughter went to a preschool last year across the street form the library here. They took a trip over one day and all the kids got cards!
The programs are a good way to get the kids in. Once there, they inevitably want to read and check out books. 🙂
The sad part is most of the libraries in my area closed down since everyone uses the internet at home. I grew up visiting my library and I loved the selection of books they offered.
My daughter loves going to the library. She could spend all day there and that is soooo nice during the summer when we have so much time to waste! All the free activities are amazing, too. I realized recently that I should take advantage of it more and find some books for me!
oh fun!!! i remember my first library card! i can’t wait to take my baby to get hers!
My boys love books but we hardly go to the library too. We do have tons of books at home.
Our library system here encourages everyone to have a library card so my daughter got hers when she was a toddler. She loves going there and picking out her own books.
I love the library. Ours even has weekly story time for the kids. It’s been a while since I’ve taken my son.
Most libraries even have movies that you can borrow. Free entertainment. 🙂
I love this, I remember taking my son to the library to get his first card. He loves the library and frequently checks out 30 books at a time. My daughter also loves story time.
Regular trips to the library is one of our favorite things to do. Each of my kids have their own card and love to pick their own stories to read.
I remember when I got my first library card, and what prompted me to urge my mom to take me, that actually might make for a fun throwback thursday post for me someday! 🙂
My kiddos have a library card and go to their school library each week to pick out a new book. We haven’t gone to our town library yet though.
I remember when my nephew got his first library card – he was so excited. I just wish he would use it more often for books than DVDs though.
Great tips! It seems like my boys were getting their first library cards just yesterday and in the blink of an eye I have teens! Enjoy!
I fondly remember getting my first library card as a child. I still have it as a keepsake to this day! My children don’t have a library card yet, but I’ll be looking into getting them one sometime soon since we frequently go to the library.
I was just talking to my husband and daughter about getting new library cards. We used to go a lot when the kids were younger, but no so much anymore.
I love this. I remember being so happy getting my first and the same happiness in my daughters.
Library cards are so important and something every child should have…. especially when everyone is so focused on technology! Great tips!
This is a great post and is great encouragement for parents to enjoy and take advantage of their libraries! I love it 🙂 Sharing!