*Today I have a guest post from Susan @ learning ALL the time!!
Almost all homeschooling families are aware of the amazing resource that is your local public library. As a librarian and a homeschool mom of two daughters, the library plays an important role in our lives.
First of all, what are the reasons to use the library?
Free books, magazines, videos, other materials. I am certain that our home learning endeavors would be much different without all of these free resources easily accessible. We do own lots of books and materials ourselves, but the library supplements all that we have. Plus, the library serves as a method of previewing books for free before we decide to buy them, if there are books that we feel we cannot live without!
Free internet access. We don’t absolutely have to take advantage of this, but when my girls are at work with me, they can use the internet for research or to play games with no charge. Also, since we have slower internet access at home, I can take our laptops to the library to download bigger files, if necessary. For families that do not have internet at home, the library can be essential.
Free/low cost programming. Depending upon your library, there could be a wide offering of educational and cultural programs of which your family could take advantage. If you don’t have a large selection at your local public library, don’t forget to check out the libraries in the next town over, or in a larger regional library.
Typically libraries are welcoming to homeschoolers. I have heard of libraries that are not welcoming, but many libraries are hurting for circulation, so homeschool families who check out lots of books are a great thing!
So how can you take advantage of all the library has to offer?
1) A homeschool friendly library is one that has no restrictive limits on checkouts and perhaps even a policy of extended loan periods for educators. While your local library may not be perfect in these
areas, definitely ask for leniency on policies as a home educator.
2) Ask for help finding materials. Often children’s librarians have excellent suggestions, or can point you in the direction of where to find the answers.
3) Ask about materials that may be available for educators. Special collections of books and materials are a possibility — maybe at your local library, or maybe at a larger branch within your library system.
4) Utilize inter-library loan. It opens up a much wider array of materials than are available on the shelves at your local library, and typically pickup is at your regular library for no cost. I know in our very
small rural library, our saving grace is that we can borrow materials from a much wider library system for patrons at no additional charge.
5) Learn to use the library catalog. Ask for help with this, if you need it; and use the catalog from home, if it’s available online. Library catalogs can be used to search for other books on a topic you are interested in…they can be a gold mine!
6) Exercise general library courtesy to maintain goodwill. Return materials on time and in the same condition as when you borrowed them, or take responsibility otherwise; make sure to clean up after yourselves after playing in the children’s area; and please don’t go in at five minutes until closing time with a million questions! 🙂
7) Make sure to ask about programs, and attend any programs your family is interested in. Sometimes libraries are hurting for attendance. Perhaps you might even be able to offer to run a program! Also, libraries can be a great place to hold a homeschool group get-together, if they have a meeting space.
8) If you don’t have internet at home, or if your internet isn’t high speed, libraries usually have high speed internet and Wi-Fi available for free. Use the free internet!
9) Often libraries have very useful websites, including databases that can be used for research. Explore the library website, and ask questions of the librarians if you need help.
10) Libraries do have eBook and audio book collections available online for download. EBook selections are increasing. Explore your digital book options, and as always, ask for assistance if you need it.
Photo Credit: roger4336
What are your experiences with your local public library? Do you find it a good resource? Do you feel any of these tips are helpful? Do you have any others to add?
Susan is a part-time librarian, blogger, and homeschooling mom of two daughters, ages 9 1/2 and 11. She blogs at learning ALL the time!!