We spend a lot of time at our local libraries, Saskatchewan has an abundance of libraries, each small community has one, how amazing is that?! Winter can be long and cold, but our libraries are welcoming and warm. When we get sick of sitting at our own table to do school work, we can head to the library for both a change of scenery and a outing to see friends and grab some great books.
The Library: A Homeschool Family’s Must Have
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There are at least 10 reasons that I can think of right off that every homeschooler must have access to a library. A library card is truly a homeschool family’s must have. The best ways to use you library are:
Library Book Requests – Inter library Loans
Take a look at your upcoming plans and requests books from other libraries that we will be using. This way you don’t have to put your lesson plans on hold while waiting nor spend money on a book that will only get read once. Our system lets us choose from email notifications or text messages when our materials are ready for pick up, this can save you from stopping in needlessly.
Plan Ahead for a Specific Day of the Week
Picking a specific day of the week to go to the library helps to cut down on late fines, as does the next idea I share. But this one makes it easier to know when books need to be returned. At a glance you know that the books that are due back are due back on Wednesday (or your day to go to the library) and not Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and possibly Tuesday and Thursday as well.
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Keep Library Books Together
This has also helped with library fines. We have a cube organizer, and each of my kids has a cube to keep their books in. It makes it much easier to find books, to return books on time since we’ve been doing this.
Plan Reading Lists
Plan a list of books to pick up from your local library for the week’s plans and interests that you and your children are interested in at the moment. Make a list of extra books on the history period that you are studying, etc.
Audio-books for Road Trips
Audio-books on CD are perfect for traveling. I try to choose fun, books that we keep them entertained. Educational doesn’t always have to be the focus. A book is a book it doesn’t matter it’s form to me. Ebooks are great too!
Quiet Spaces
With free wifi and quiet spaces you can get some uninterrupted lesson planning done. While some larger libraries offer study rooms, most have desks or tables set up some dividers to give privacy. All free of charge of course.
Free Classes and Clubs
Our libraries offer a lot of different activities including story times. But they also offer cooking classes, Lego clubs and more. These are a great way for homeschoolers to meet some new kids their own age – our library offers classes and clubs in two different age groups – 6-9 and 10-13, and teens. There are also classes available for adults.
Play Area
The children’s section of library have the perfect place to go when you need to get out of the house, a play area. This area can be perfect for the stay-at-home-mom, work-from-home-mom, homeschooling mom, any mom who needs to get out of the house, but doesn’t have somewhere else to go.
Recommended Resources for Visiting the Library
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Quiet Ways to Enjoy the Library with Kids