Libraries are cooler than you know
By Barbara Pierce
If you haven’t been to your local library in a while, it’s definitely worth a visit during these hot August days.
Many libraries have activities for kids, unexpected services, computers, reading resources and much, much more. Libraries are a great place in the summer for both kids and adults.
You may think of books when you think library, but even if you’re not a reader, there’s still a lot that may appeal to you. There are fun events, unusual things you can borrow and a quiet place to escape the heat. They offer a chance to maintain or improve your reading skills, explore new interests and connect with others through a variety of activities.
Of course, the best thing of all is it’s all free. No charge for any activities, for borrowing books or many of the other items libraries now offer.
“Our summer reading program started in July,” said Cathi Brewer, director of the Sherrill-Kenwood Free Library in Sherril. Most libraries have summer reading programs, which encourage children and adults to read during the summer. They aim to prevent summer learning loss and inspire a love of reading.
“Most of our summer events are geared towards children since school is out,” she added. “For adults, this summer we continue to offer chair yoga, brain power hour, mahjong and craft and chat. We hope to increase our adult programming with some additional classes this fall.”
Their summer activities for kids include rock painting, chalk the sidewalk, painting with watercolors, story times for different ages, to name just a few.
While books still top the list of borrowed items, most libraries offer other helpful things you can borrow, including everything from garden tools to magazines and newspapers to movies on DVDs, music CDs, baking pans, books on tape, puzzles. See what unusual things your local library loans out.
Did you know you can print your documents out at the Utica Public Library from any internet connected device like your laptop or Smartphone? You can do this with the help of an app called Princh or without the app. Just be at the printer when you print your documents, as your print job will print as soon as you submit it.
Most libraries have computers available for your use.
If there’s a book you want to read, you can go online to place it on hold, to pick up in the future. You can renew your books and other borrowed items online if they are due and you aren’t ready to return them. Think about putting books for your kids on hold, so that no matter what your kids grab off the shelves, you’ll go home with some books that are actually worth reading.
The Utica Public Library has museum and park passes that can be checked out with a library card; the passes provide free or discounted admission to various attractions. These passes can be a great way to explore Central New York’s cultural and recreational offerings. They provide passes for attractions like Fort Rickey Discovery Zoo, Utica Zoo, Munson Williams Proctor Arts Institute, Museum of Science & Technology and Sciencenter, among others. The passes grant free or discounted admission for a specific number of people, often including adults and children. For example, the Utica Zoo pass offers 50% off admission.
The Utica Public Library also offers the services of a notary public by appointment; these services are free for Utica residents. Genealogy services are also available; there is a dedicated genealogy room with extensive historical information for both the local Central New York area and the United States. Library patrons can also access Ancestry.com.
If you are a reader, you are probably already a library fan and know about the richness books offer. There is a quote in Wendy Welch’s book “The Little Bookstore of Big Stone Gap” that describes it well:
“The best moments in reading are when you come across something — a thought, a feeling, a way of looking at things — which you had thought special and particular to you. Now here it is, set down by someone else, a person you have never met, maybe even someone who is long dead. And it is as if a hand has come out and taken yours.”
I encourage you to check out your local library and see what is going on there. I think you — and your kids — will be impressed — and more than a little surprised — by what libraries are doing these hot summer days.