This series of posts is about my favorite homeschool things families who use some form of self-directed learning.
I could not homeschool without the library. I would not want to live without the library, either. I do all my “retail therapy” at the library, and nothing makes us as reliably excited as dragging home a stack each.
When we moved cross-country, we found a house we liked well enough and bought because of the backyard and the proximity to a good library. Not an amazing library, mind you. Just good. We actually left the realtor and went into the library to judge it’s suitability.
With regular trips to the library, homeschooling is much more fun. Learners can find new things to be interested in, project ideas, entertainment, other subjects to study, and more. The library is an educational playground for all ages.
I found myself at the library. The freedom allotted to me as a child and teenager in the library was unparalleled. Even if you stay in the children’s section, you can get a book on whatever you want. You can find that you are interested in things in a safe way, completely separate from your parents. Even when you are five years old.
AND IT’S ALL FREE.
I cannot stress this enough. An educational playground to beat any curriculum or online class–free for everyone.
You don’t have to decide how much you want to read a book or if you’re really interested in a topic. You just take the stack to the desk and go home to discover.
Everyone is welcome. That is part of the charm and the benefit.
There are other adults there, paid to help you learn. And they’re typically highly interested in books and learning. If your kids won’t take your word on something, try a librarian!
A librarian is a (not you) person who is interested in helping your child succeed, whether it’s learning a new language, discovering the ancient Egyptians, or just finding Duck, Duck, Porcupine for the 6th time. Librarians are great first stranger-friends and excellent alternative adult-teacher people. Homeschooled learners can always use another outside-the-home teacher and leader (in addition to scouts, religious organizations, music lessons, group classes, co-op).
What about library fines??
Yes, it’s true. You may incur fines. Or lose a book and have to pay. This is part of the price of a well-rounded education and the cost of having child learners. It is still probably less than the cost of a big pile of curriculum that’s only thrilling for the first 10 days.
Also, a fine doesn’t mean you did something bad, no matter what the librarian’s eyeballs say. It means you are using a service they want you to use, you’re human, and you are kind enough to donate to continue employing them and buying books for the community. By all means, take my $1.80. Or $30. (Before those handy electronic renewals and notices, I paid my city taxes twice–once on the form and again at the library.)
Here are some Library Benefits–all FREE!
- Books
- Books
- Also books
- Magazines
- Audio Books
- E-books
- Interlibrary loan for books your library doesn’t have
- Request titles for the library to purchase
- Language-learning services
- Study and homework help programs
- Books for babies programs
- Learn-to-read resources
- Storytime
- Children’s room play space
- STEM activities
- Teen activities
- Clubs
- Librarians to help you research
- Librarians to suggest titles
- Study space–change of scenery
- Meet new friends
- Meet old friends
- Computer use
- Learning tablets to borrow
- A safe place to go
- Finding new interests
- Finding yourself
I’m crazy about our library and the librarians there, even though they’re not all equally friendly or useful to us. I would not want to live without them and that place. So this week we’ve made some thank you cards and small posters and I bought librarian-themed stickers. We’re making up a nice care package and putting it in the book return. Along with our 437 books.
