Do you still go to the library? An article in the WSJ says that the library is less a part of kids' lives today.
According to the article, this is due in part to computers and the internet. Kids turn to the internet to research answers to questions rather than turning to the stacks at the library.
These days, children who go to the library are more likely drawn to the computer terminals and special programs such as story time, ice-cream socials and even movie nights.
Just this weekend I said to my 5-yr-old son, "Do you want to go to the bookstore and buy two books or to the library and check out lots of books?" His answer? "The library!"
That statistic is great for publishers, not so great for the kids'college funds! My 2 sons and I frequently walk to our local library and check out about 8 children's books per visit. Sometimes we check out DVDs or CDs or books on tape if we're taking a long car trip. We have a pretty large library at home, mostly gifts or books purchased at garage sales. We know most of our titles backward and forward and love to try out new authors, topics, illustrators etc. I can't imagine life without a library maybe because I had a career in publishing and so I kind of have a thing for books.
I don't have children yet, but I definitely plan to make the library a part of their lives when they arrive. We have a library just up the street from our house. I definitely plan to purchase books for our own collection, but if my own reading habits are anything to go by, our book-buying budget will not be able to keep up with demand! I also see the library as an important part of our community.
We go to the library every 1-2 weeks. It's a big treat for the boy, he loves it. He gets to pick out 3 dvd's and as many books as we can carry. We both have a blast picking out new books every time. The library was a HUGE part of my childhood; the children's librarian at my local library was a bigger influence on me than any of my elementary school teachers. Really makes me sad that people are not using the library so much anymore. But to be honest, I started going again when I cancelled Netflix to save money. And then I was like, "oh yeah, they have books here too, huh?"
Of course I live in Seattle, which has a really good library system. When I lived in Brooklyn, there was no library nearby. When I lived in Queens, the local library was tiny, usually closed, and had a sad little selection.
I buy so very many books... but we still make a library run once every week or two. I'm always amazed at the variety of things to learn about, and my five-year-old LOVES the library.
That's so sad. We go every week and not just for the books but there are always programs happening for the kids. Story time, music, art and special events. Go to the library people!