I recently asked my high school students if they still go to libraries. They actually chuckled! As we all know, the internet provides a vast amount of information for reading, viewing, research, etc.--but does that mean the printed book has gone the way of the dinosaurs?
Having a library card gives children an introduction to responsibility that will follow them throughout life. At as early as 4 years old, children become eligible to apply for a library card with permission of a legal guardian. Libraries are great places to spend hours exploring. I can remember being a small child, plopping myself in the children's section and pulling book after book down from the shelf to "evaluate." Many libraries don't put a limit on the number of books children can borrow. Can you think of a more cost effective way to open your child's mind to a world of knowledge? With a library card comes the wonderful privilege of borrowing books. However, this privilege comes with a set of social expectations to be upheld. Children learn to share, respect the properties of others, and good citizenship. Taking children to the library at a young age (and often) helps them learn what resources are offered there long before they'll need them. By the time children enter middle school, they probably already have experienced a research project or two. The older they get, the more time and labor intensive projects become. If can be hard to know where to start when it comes to research, but the library can take away most of the stress of where to look. Some libraries have access to databases that are very specific and very expensive. More than just books, the library offers all kinds of services! Most libraries have extensive collections of movies, audiobooks, music CDs and sometimes other items as well. Aside from the physical items being offered, most libraries have spaces that are used for various community events--tutors, clubs, community groups. Most of these activities are child-friendly, so they can be a great way to get your child out of the house and involved in your community. There are other benefits of taking children to the library. Every library is different--visit several. As a child, I regularly visited Dolton Public Library, South Holland Public Library and Riverdale Public Library. It was an adventure to explore each of their collections. The earlier a child is exposed, the more they will get out of it. Allowing children to explore their own topics of interests is key to making them lifelong learners. The benefits of our public libraries should not be allowed to go extinct. After all, according to Albert Einstein, "the only thing that you absolutely have to know is the location of the library."
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AuthorI have been teaching since 1996. I became a special education teacher in 2013. I currently work at a therapeutic day school in suburban Chicago. Archives
May 2022
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