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By Melissa Taylor
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Raise a book loverby visiting the library every week with your kids. Go in depth with these free printable library scavenger hunt sheets.
Visit for story time, for exploring time, for book browsing time, for curl up with a good book time, for computer time, for social time, for book event time.
Today’s libraries aren’t just filled with books, they’re filled with technology, community events, media, digital books, and study spaces. As an institution, the library is transforming for the needs of our 21st century children.Enjoy the benefits of the library with your children and watch as they become passionate book aficionados.
“Medicine for the soul.”
– inscription over the door of the Library at Thebes
Routine
Pick a Day.
Make your library visits routine. Pick a day that offers a story time for your child’s age, or one that fits in with your schedule.
At Home Library Book Storage.
Keep your library books in one place so you don’t lose track of books.
Get a Card.
Let your child get his or her own library card! It’s motivation in and of itself. Read “A Library Card of My Own.“
Gear
GearWe think that a flat-bottom tote bag is the best book bag. It’s too dirty to show you a photograph but I got it at Barnes and Noble on sale. Here are some suggestions your kids might love to carry books in.
BUY: Multi-pocket zip top book bag.
This book bag is my favorite – pockets and a flat bottom.
BUY: Microfiber book bag with zipper closure and adjustable handles.
I love the pocket on the outside of this book bag.
BUY: Polyester deluxe book bag with three front pockets and main zippered compartment.
This may be the perfect book bag — it has the flat bottom, pockets, and isn’t in a light color. LOVE it!
“I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library.”
– Jorge Luis Borges
Library Scavenger Hunt
Go on a Scavenger Hunt – there’s much more to the library than when we were kids – it’s not just books anymore!
Young Kids’ Library Scavenger Hunt (Non-readers)
Click the image below for a large version, printable scavenger hunt.
Older Kids’ Library Scavenger Hunt (Readers)
Click the image below for the larger, printable scavenger hunt.
Play library at home.
Make pretend library cards with these free printables from Family Fun.
Design Your Dream Library.
See example here.
A final thought: Befriend your librarians. These hard-working bibliophiles love their jobs and will be your best resource for new books, topical books, and will make your Library feel like the television show Cheers.
“You see, I don’t believe that libraries should be drab places where people sit in silence, and that’s been the main reason for our policy of employing wild animals as librarians.”
– Monty Python’s Flying Circus
Books about the Library
Go to this post to read the best picture books about the library.
Do you need book recommendations?
Books for 5- and 6- year olds
Books for 7-year olds
Books for 8-year olds
Books for 9-year olds
Books for 10-year olds
Books for 11-year olds
Books for 12-year olds
Melissa Taylor
Melissa Taylor, MA, is the creator of Imagination Soup. She's a mother, former teacher & literacy trainer, and freelance education writer. She writes Imagination Soup and freelances for publications online and in print, including Penguin Random House's Brightly website, USA Today Health, Adobe Education, Colorado Parent, and Parenting. She is passionate about matching kids with books that they'll love.
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I looove that scavenger hunt idea! I think it will be good to help my oldest have a mission of stuff to look for while I’m helping the youngest (and by “helping” I mean, “stopping him from pulling down a dozen books we don’t want”) and also while trying to hurry and grab something for myself.
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haha!! I would be in trouble if I couldn’t put books on the hold shelf for me – browsing with kids doesn’t work out so much, does it!?
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I completely agree with Erin! I actually work in early childhood education as a second grade teacher and feel that getting children in a library early will help expose them to the wonderful resources that are available for them at no cost. It can also help them develop a love for reading.
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As a librarian, you have no idea how happy I was to see this post. I do love my job, and when I see blog posts and comments like these, it makes it all worth it 🙂 And like the author says, chat with us! We love to help.
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Yeah! 🙂
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Your ideas are fabulous. I love the library card idea especially with the rules that children can’t get library cards until their a little older. At our library, we got to know the staff really well, and they bent the rules for my son to get a card at the age of 3. You would have thought they gave him the world. He was so proud to have his own card!
Great post! Thank you so much!
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You have outdone yourself on this excellent library post, thank you! And thank you also for being part of Share a Story * Shape a Future!
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