So where is the hate? I find it frustrating when our small library doesn't have the books I am seeking. Our small library doesn't yet have the capability of requesting books on-line like I hear so many others talking about. Sometimes, the librarians are um....less than friendly and seem annoyed that I would dare bring children to the library. These are your future patron librarians! Start them out young with a love the of library and you have tax paying, library lovers for life.
Also, and this is completely our own fault, we have been known to return books late, completely lose a book, or have to shamefully return a book that has been damaged - maybe that just happens at my house though?
For the past couple of years we have had access to a much larger library on a weekly basis. It has made our library experience much more enjoyable. That is on hiatus for the summer so it's back to our very small library. I'm determined to make the best of it. Here are some things I brainstormed to make our library experience more enjoyable:
- have a separate area to store our library books for the week
We finally have rain gutter shelves! Now we have an official spot for our library loot.
- continue to insist that my children have good behavior at the library. It's not a playground with books and they need to treat it as such.
- donate our used books to the library
- make friends with the librarian! a smile and a "how are you?" can go a long way
- bring a treat to the librarian, and plate of cookies or brownies could go far with the above
- a couple of years ago we donated several adoption themed books during National Adoption Month. The librarian made a display of the new books along with some adoption material. Not only did the library get a handful of new books, I was able to further my agenda - consider adoption! It was a win/win for both of us.
Any other suggestions?
linking up today for Works for me Wednesday
22 comments:
This post brought up lots of feeling of frustration I have with my own library too! My library is not too small and not to big...actually it is just right. It is old and beautiful and has stained glass windows and window seats. What it does not have are friendly (especially homeschool friendly) librarians. My issues with them could fill up an entire post so I will keep it short. My experiences were so miserable that I stopped going altogether. I now drive 15 -20 minutes to the next town's library where they look at your card and call you by name. They find books that they think your children will like and will run any program you ask for homeschool children. It is sad that I don't have this in my town......
We too have been using neighboring libraries for the bulk of our year. I really do want to use and support our local library but it has been bit frustrating. More people come in to use the computers than they do to use the books! Thanks Jessica
((Jessica)) I have been through similar bad experiences with our own local library and had to pull our name from their computer system just over 2 years ago. I am saddened that we aren't able to use our library because they do have a variety of books...and frustrated because it is just 4 miles away with a playground behind it, the rec center (which we go to every week) next door and our local beach 1/4 mile away (which we live at in the summer months). We now go 15-17 minutes away to a library that has many children's programs, friendly librarians, and interlibrary loan.
Other ideas? Volunteer! I know not all of us have the time (and energy) to volunteer, but just an hour a week during a busy time helps a lot! Visit in the afternoons when your children are tired, but not too tired and need some time to rest. My kids will grab a book or two and lie down in a nook and read or look at pictures for a while. Pick up after your kids (or have your kids do it) before they leave. We usually pick up OTHER kids messes too! But don't re-shelf books...librarians would rather they do it.
Never thought about the plate of treats. Good idea! And your rain gutter shelves look great on your wall.
Your rain gutter shelves turned out great!
Great ideas. I don't like our city library either. It's too small and the staff is rude. I really wish we had access to Kindle rentals like I hear so many other libraries have.
Hi Jen, we love the library that we have and most of the librarians are wonderfully kind and helpful. There are a few though that are not so much... and I wonder, why are you working in the Youth Services Dept if you don't really like children??? We have a separate storage bin for library books too so they won't get mixed in with ours. I love your rain gutter display... very creative!
ditto with the love/hate of libraries... =)
We, too, were frustrated w/ our tiny library (full of lots of twaddle, btw), that I was thrilled to got to a bigger library in the next town that was full of plenty of classics! Downfall is the card fee for not being a resident. Not such a big deal...if I avoid late fees, damaged book fees, or lose the book altogether ;^) ... *hee* and I thought it was just us.
~Sheri
Jessy, great idea to volunteer! I wonder at what age they let kids start volunteering? I'll have to look into that. And yes picking up after yourself is always a good idea :) Thanks for the comment.
I know, I'm waiting for the Kindle rentals too!
Thanks!
Thanks, they were super easy to install!
Noreen, my thoughts exactly!
Sheri- same with us, all the new books are mostly twaddle, and then they get rid of the oldies but goodies!
WOW Love this post! And all so true! Love your new gutter shelves! I have seen these lately on line! Thanks for linking up to NOBH!
Jen,
How did you come up with the idea for rain gutter shelves? I think that is a brilliant idea for books and the fun-factor-ness of them might actually entice my kids to keep their books ON the shelves instead of all over the floor. If you wouldn't mind sharing any links/instructions that would be great!
I just organized all of our faith books on a little shelving unit and plan to post some pictures too- finding a solution for book storage is pretty exciting in a homeschool moms life. ;)
Until I joined the online world, I had no idea how blessed we are by our library system. We also had the kindest librarian when my children were little. I am glad that you have access to a better system at least during part of the year. Having designated storage is a must! Even still, I have been known to "lose" a book on occasion. :( Mostly, we are pretty good about it though.
I think the original developer of the rain gutter shelves is Jim Trelease
http://www.trelease-on-reading.com/oliver.html
Lori has them too:
http://tribeof11.blogspot.com/2010/04/confessions-of-organization-junkie.html
and here is a tutorial:
http://raisingolives.com/2009/07/raingutter-book-shelves-tutorial/
We are hoping to install some more in the kids bunk beds as shown. Love them!
Lori, I look forward to your post on your faith books! I included a link to your rain gutters in the comment back to Kimberlie :)
great ideas. especially the part about donating adoption (or any) books to the library. I've never considered that. and now i will. love your gutter shelves.
Your little library sounds like our little library. We also go to a larger, more organized library in a another town - it is $40 a year but worth it!
Love the rain gutter shelves.
Love the rain gutter shelves:) Where we used to live we have the same problems but now we have a great Librarian and he goes out of his way to help me get the books I need for home schooling. What a difference it makes.:) Thanks for the NOBH link up:)
Post a Comment