How often do you and your child visit the library?
When you are there – how long do you spend looking for a book?
As I have spoken about in previous posts – borrowing from the library is important. In many ways it is more important than buying your own copy of a book as you become part of a community. As part of this library community you need to care for the book so others can read it and you need to return it on time so others can read it.
However a really important aspect of the library is learning how to borrow a book. When we visit a library there should be at least thirty minutes set aside to read through books, flick through the pages and look over the covers.
Rushing over the library borrowing process is not enjoyable and doesn’t teach the value of borrowing books.
We want our children to love reading and we want them to find books that they want to read – and make them go back for more. We want them to see what is popular, we want them to talk to the librarian and we want them to see something new.
My four suggestions when we go to the library
- Encourage your child or class to take their time borrowing.
- Take time to try out a new type of book each time you borrow.
- Borrow fiction and non fiction
- Read part of the book in the library to generate excitement.
The library is a wonderful resource and something we all need to utilise to it’s full potential.
