| Libraries offer more than books. They are places of | | | | you can use for your own home storyhours. |
| learningand discovery for everyone. Ask at the library | | | | Preschoolers. |
| aboutgetting a library card in your child's name and, if | | | | The library may offer these story hours more than |
| you don'talready have one, get a card for yourself. | | | | once aweek. For these story hours, you and your |
| The Librarian | | | | child usually readseveral books on the same topic. |
| Introduce yourself and your child to your librarian. | | | | You might play games, singsongs, use puppets, or do |
| Librarians can help you to select the best books that | | | | other activities that are connected tothat topic. You |
| areboth fun and suitable for your child's age level. | | | | also may get ideas for books to read and otherthings |
| They canalso show you the other programs and | | | | to do with your child at home. |
| services the libraryhas to offer. | | | | Families. |
| Books . . . and More | | | | Families can read together, or they may join in a |
| In addition to a wealth of books, your library most | | | | story toldby the library storyteller. |
| likelywill have tapes and CDs of books, musical CDs | | | | Some libraries also set up family activities around |
| and tapes,movies, computers that you can use, and | | | | thereadings, including crafts and art projects and |
| many more resources. | | | | watchingmovies. |
| You also might find books in languages other than | | | | Summer Reading |
| English,or programs to help adults improve their | | | | After the school year is over, some children may |
| reading. If youwould like reading help for yourself or | | | | forget whatthey have learned about reading. Libraries |
| your family, checkwith the librarian about literacy | | | | help keepchildren interested in reading by offering |
| programs in yourcommunity. | | | | summer programs. |
| Supervised Story Times | | | | Children from early elementary school to high school |
| Babies and toddlers. | | | | readbooks on their own. A teacher or librarian may |
| Many libraries have group story hours that are short | | | | give a childa diary or log in which he writes what he |
| andgeared to the attention spans of the children. | | | | read during thesummer. And, because reading aloud is |
| During storyhour, child sits in your lap, and both of | | | | so important topromoting a love of reading, many |
| you can join in thestory. The storyteller also may | | | | libraries offer "Read-to- |
| show you fingerplays andrhythm activities. The | | | | Me" clubs for preschool and younger children. |
| storyteller also may give you tipsand handouts that | | | | |