September is Library Card Sign-Up Month, and as we librarians know, the value of a library card is limitless! But what about if you have children in your lives? A frequent question at the reference desk is, “How old do you have to be to receive a library card?” The answer is, everyone can receive a library card, even toddlers, even babies!
Recently, toddlers, Bear, Lola, and Ellis received their first library cards after a Learn and Play event. Learn and Play is a storytime program series that demonstrates to parents and caregivers early literacy skills in action. Hands-on exploration and learning are emphasized with free materials that participants can take home.
The most enduring feeling one gets when walking into the children’s area of a library is joy in seeing kids and their families looking completely at ease in the library and around books. Signing up your child for their first library card can be a great start to having your child feel confident and comfortable in the library and around books.
The library is more than just books, so make sure to check out our KidsPath. By using your library card, you will have free access to Tutor.com which has live online tutoring and homework help, ScienceFlix which explores dozens of science topics, TumbleBooks, and BookFlix which have e-books and fun online picture books and videos that read the story out loud with animation.
"Now I like books and they like me, so when I go to the library, I sit down in my favorite chair and check to see who’s there." —The Library Book by Tom Chapin and Michael Mark
Below is a list of books that you can read to prepare the children in your lives for a library visit and to possibly get a library card. There are books on the list for all different age ranges that portray children at the library not only learning and respecting the books and people, but having fun and adventures.
Children's Books About the Library