Why Parents Should Take Their Kids to the Library Regularly

Most parents would say learning is one of their top priorities for their children. Though we usually think of education as occurring only at school, learning takes place wherever a child goes. As places of learning and support, libraries enrich the education children receive at school and at home.

A library is a community’s central hub for learning, exploration and entertainment. With an estimated 116,867 libraries across the United States, most neighborhoods have access to some library resources. Here are just a few of the reasons you should take your kids to the library as often as possible.

Libraries Promote Literacy

Taking your kids to the library encourages them to form a life-long love of reading. By exposing them to books and the information within them, you help your kids gain literacy, a skill they’ll use for the rest of their lives.

Simply having access to a library could promote literacy, according to some research. The number of libraries per capita is correlated with adult literacy rates in a given state, which means the more libraries there are, the more literate the population can become.

Source: www.hachettebookgroup.com/articles/the-correlation-between-libraries-and-literacy

By promoting literacy, libraries also help kids develop other important abilities. Strong reading and writing skills help kids improve self control and goal setting, for example. So taking your kids to the library regularly could help them succeed in school and the future.

Libraries Provide Resources for Free

Approximately 58 percent of parents with children under age six read to them every day. That’s a lot of books to read, more than most parents could buy or keep in their homes.

If you read to your child regularly, you know that picture books go fast. Libraries enable parents to read with their kids often without having to buy all the books themselves.

Libraries provide resources to the public for free, including books, movies, music, magazines, internet access and more. By using these resources, you can expose your child to more books and materials than you could ever own — or want to own — yourself. Free resources from libraries especially help families with lower incomes, who may not have the ability to provide many books at home.

Visiting the Library Brings You Closer

Parents might also enjoy taking their kids to the library as a bonding activity.

When you take your child to the library and help them find books they’re interested in, you have a unique chance to learn about their interests, talk to them about new subjects and support their pursuit of knowledge.

A positive experience with a parent at a library can help kids create positive feelings towards books and learning, which will help them succeed in school and beyond. You can also help kids learn to love books by reading together. Even older kids may enjoy reading as a family activity.

Libraries Provide More Than Books

Libraries provide more than just books to the public. They also host events and classes for children, teens and young adults. These activities enrich kids’ lives by providing socialization, entertainment and hands-on education in a safe environment.

Libraries offer activities for all ages. Young children can go to story time or sit in the audience of a puppet show; teens can attend a club meeting or learn to build robots and use film equipment; adults can hear lectures or take advantage of adult skills courses; the whole family can enjoy board game nights, just for fun.

Your local library staff wants to serve the entire community, so they provide resources and programming for everyone — from books to skill workshops to social events. 

Visit Your Public Library Today

Your public library has lots to offer adults and kids alike. Libraries promote children’s literacy, host social activities and loan out resources all for free, providing services to the entire community.

Next time you need something to entertain your family on a rainy day, consider taking an afternoon trip to the library. You never know what amazing treasure you might find.