With all the media available at your family’s fingertips—including a world of ebooks available for immediate download—going to the public library might seem a little outdated… like going to a silent movie or riding a wooden rocking horse.

Libraries have something special, though, and if you’re able to work a visit into your weekly schedule, your whole family will benefit! 

1. Kids story time and other kid-friendly events. The library staff seeks out authors like librarian favorite Alan Katz, and kid-friendly entertainment and offers it up to the community—usually for free! Take advantage of their curation and expertise… and the price can’t be beat.
2. Unlimited entertainment. If you have a few hours to kill on a rainy afternoon, the public library provides an opportunity to simply keep reading. When you’re there in the moment with your kids, you can read book after book and absorb a huge variety—humor, non-fiction, chapter books, picture books—everything!
3. The wisdom of experts. Is your child particularly interested in chameleons? And the other one only wants to read about princesses? The librarian’s got it. He or she can point you to the books that your discerning readers will devour.
4. Get online. Even if you don’t have your smartphone or tablet on you, or you don’t have service, you can run over to the library’s computer and research any subject a little deeper. This keeps the learning going when your kids are interested in a particular book or author.
5. Take the fun home with you. Obviously, this is a huge bonus. After spending an hour or so at the library, you can pick your favorites and bring them home with you. You can get DVD’s, video games and audio books too! 

Bonus: Most libraries let you check out ebooks now too, so you can bring the fun home on your tablet or device.

—Sarah