Schenectady County
Public Library
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In addition to the home and school, your community has another major educational resource:  the local public library.

It's no secret that children who grow up with a love of books will be more successful in school.  But these days libraries are much more than books.  They're repositories of knowledge and adventure and can be a valuable partner in your family's quest to become lifelong learners.  Here are some ways you can take advantage of your local public library.

• Get a library card - for both you and your
  child.  It's an easy process!
   

• Once a week, instead of curling up in front of a mediocre television show, take a family excursion to the library.
   

• Investigate the possibilities at your local library.  Libraries have more than books and magazines for children and adults.  They also have educational games, books-on-cassette, entertainment ad educational videotapes, records, compact disks, audio cassettes, DVDs and free computer access to the Internet.
   

• Children usually learn library skills at school.  Ask your child to help you learn how to find things more easily in the library.  If your child has not learned library skills, learn how to get the most out of the library together.  Don't be afraid to ask the librarian to get you started.
   

• Talk about your library visit before you go.  Decide what and how many kinds of materials your children will be checking out and discuss them prior to your visit.
   

• Discuss how important it is to take good care of the books and other materials you borrow from the library and why it is necessary to bring them back on time.
   

• Take advantage of the free activities and programs libraries offer for children and families.  Thee can include book clubs, story times, family films and lectures and special exhibits.
   

• If you children express an interest in something - a new puppy for example - go to the library to learn a more about their interests.
   

• When publicity about a new movie attracts the attention of your children, encourage them to read the book before seeing the movie.  You can often find the book in the library.
   

• Take advantage of the library for your own personal growth and assistance.  The library is full of books, magazines and pamphlets on parenting, home maintenance, time management, stress reduction, career improvement, hobbies and health issues.