In my last two blogs, I focused on the things that get you out of your own local library like free and discounted passes and reciprocal use programs but for the remaining blogs of this series we are going stay at our local libraries and I am going to share with you why I think they are the best place to spend part of your day.
When I was pregnant with my daughter, I didn’t love being pregnant. I had experienced a miscarriage prior to conceiving her so most of my thoughts were tied up in just wanting her to get earthside as quickly as possible. However, one thought that brought me a lot of comfort during my pregnancy was when I thought about bringing her to those Baby and Me and Story Time classes that were always advertised at local libraries.
Sidenote about my miscarriage: a little Memorial Day weekend hike to the North and South Bubbles in Acadia National Park literally saved my mental health but…that is a blog for a different day!
When I was pregnant, I probably spent more time thinking about what was going to be our library book bag than our own diaper bag…and, just for the record, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE our library book bag and always hated the diaper bag I picked out! Our library book bag is this amazing one-of-a-kind Erin Flett bag I scored for being one of the first customers in line at an event she was doing when I was about 6 months pregnant!
Also, Erin Flett’s Darlene coin pouches make THE BEST library card holders! #notsponsored #wishIwassponsored.
Ok, back to libraries….
After my daughter was born, #springteacherbaby, we were able to spend several months attending those Baby and Me and Story Time classes before I went back to work. And as cringy as this is about to sound, it was everything that I had hoped it would be. It was fun, simple, and very easy to bring her to the library. She got to coo at the bubbles they brought out in the middle of the program, I got to work on making connections with other local moms (more on that in the next blog), and if it wasn’t going to be a good day (not napping, gassy, diaper blow out, you name it), we had a 5 minute drive back home.
Unfortunately, just as my daughter approached 2 years earthside, COVID hit and all the great programming for that age range shut down at our local library (and probably every other library in the country). So gone were my dreams of spending the weekends and summers doing all the preschool activities. 🙁
However, about 2 years ago, libraries opened back up and programming returned and, in my opinion, are BETTER THAN EVER!
As mentioned in earlier blogs, free and discounted passes are back to being offered at a lot of Maine public libraries, reciprocal programming makes it easier to access libraries across the state, and now even lending has expanded beyond books, DVDs, and video games. At some libraries, games, puzzles, tool lending programs and outdoor gear and equipment rentals are available to patrons.
You are also seeing the expansion of streaming services such as Cloud Library. Cloud Library is a great place for digital materials, ebooks and audiobooks. You might also find libraries utilizing their video/film feature as well. Other popular streaming services that libraries use are Hoopla or Kanopy. These FREE streaming services are great if you are looking to decrease your dependency on more mainstream streaming services like Hulu, Youtube TV. But…my main reason for loving streaming (our local library uses Cloud Library) is…hello audiobooks for those long drives for camping, adventuring, and vacationing!
Some libraries are beginning to transition to being “fine free” libraries too so that families are not charged overdue fees for late books; others are participating in bagged lunch programs during the summer months. You are also seeing homeschool programming being launched and “Books on Wheels” programs being offered (or at least better marketed) for homebound community members.
For children and teen programming, we are seeing an increase in monthly arts and crafts projects, maker spaces, gaming rooms, Lego groups, as well as book clubs and writers groups. I love that these are becoming staples in more and more libraries because they are a great resource to local kids…and they are FREE!!
In doing research for this series, I was so impressed with some of the offerings of libraries from around our state. Here is JUST a sampling of the amazing programs, activities, and materials available to families and children. I couldn’t even begin to blog about the offerings that are available (below represent less than 5% of what is offered all around the state of Maine)…or maybe I could but it would take YEARS to complete.
So…that’s all to say, check out what your local library has to offer you!
- Lewiston Public Library offers a Fiber Arts club to youth.
- Mark and Emily Turner Library in Presque Isle offers a Storybook Walk on the Mantle Lake Park trails.
- The Wilton Free Library in Wilton offers special events like a Fancy Nancy Picnic, Harvest Day, and even a Polar Express Night.
- Jesup Library in Bar Harbor offers Unit Studies that pair together a book, movie, and toy that are all on the same theme.
- Lithgow Public Library in Augusta offers a monthly event for families called, Food for Thought, where families can sign up to host one session where they choose the food-related books, bring the food as a snack to share, and then discuss the books/recipes and provide a related activity.
- Camden Public Library hosts weekly creative afternoons where children can sign up and do a creative, hands-on project.
- The Waldoboro Public Library offers weekly classes for kiddos. Think Yoga and Lego clubs. They also will offer Mad Science days at the Library in the summer!
- Zadoc Long Free Library in Buckfield offers both morning and afternoon story times to support all those still napping.
- Thompson Free Library in Dover Foxcroft offers Text Sets. These are backpacks of books for younger readers on topics like: Art, Dinosaurs, Fairy Tales, Geography, Nature, Poetry, etc. They have a great focus on family events like hosting a monthly Family Fun Night and a Family Book Club (such a cool idea!)
- Walker Memorial Library in Westbrook offers Backpack Audubon Adventure Packs for younger patrons.
- Brewer Public Library provides therapy dogs and opportunities for younger patrons to read to them.
- Sewing Club for Kids at Baxter Memorial Library in Gorham.
- Bangor Public Library offers Kids Kitchen Activities
- Milbridge Public Library offers citizen science kits and snowshoes.
I hope that you will check out what your library has to offer you! And let me know! Please feel free to leave a comment down below or on The Wandering Chickadee’s Instagram account. I would love to hear what’s available to you!
If you haven’t checked out the other blog in this series, please do! I share all about the free and discounted passes that a lot of libraries offer patrons here in Maine as well as the reciprocal use programs. And..check back here next week for more information on: Building Community at the Library. The library can be a great place to start building (or maintaining) your village of parent friends!
As always, thank YOU for following along! If you love the blogs from The Wandering Chickadee, be sure to add your email address below.
-Natalie
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