Adventures at the Library

We try to go to the library once a week. As homeschoolers, this is a great place for added resources and as a family that can’t get enough of books, this is a great place to fill that quota as well.

Our library day last week was a nightmare. We usually try to go in the late morning or during lunch time, while public school kids are still at school. Then we have the Children’s Library to ourselves, as well as Ms. Shea, the children’s librarian. Last week, our day wouldn’t allow us to get there until after school hours. This is when tutors are working with children at various tables throughout the Children’s Library.

I had two children tugging me in two different directions asking for assistance in looking for particular books. So, I got one child started on a book hunt then turned to the next child to assist them. It was during this time I realized I had let Cami just wander around as I normally do when no one is there. My third child had taken it upon herself to be the ‘mom’ which was driving Cami INSANE and she began voicing her feelings by screaming at the top of her lungs multiple times. By the time I got to her, a librarian from the front desk had come in looking for the parent of this screaming child because kids were TRYING to get tutored!! Yes, my feelings were hurt and after a hard day I felt like breaking down in tears right there. But, I just decided it was better to feel we were getting kicked out of the library as I couldn’t figure out how to finish what we had started with no screaming toddler. So, I told the 3 other children to grab what they had already gathered and we had to check out. It was at THIS point as I was handing library cards out from my wallet I noticed my ATM card was missing. For those of you who know how everything has its place in my life and if it’s not there, it drives me CRAZY!! Then add on to this that same librarian who spoke with us earlier going back up to Cami, putting her finger to her lips, and telling her she has to be quiet in the library – then turning to me and telling me that sometimes it’s better if they hear it from someone they don’t know. My tears about escaped! (And yes, when we got home I found my ATM card – Cami had gotten into my wallet.)

So, we come to this week’s library day. I had actually scheduled to go to a different library in our town so we could do a ‘library tour’ with other homeschoolers. The kids were all excited and I tried to cater to Cami so we wouldn’t have a repeat performance of last week. I put her down for an earlier nap and got out the hiking backpack, thinking she’d be excited about that and not fighting to get out of her stroller. I have just decided that anywhere in the afternoon with a 20 month old, nap or not, is not a good thing. But the rest of us had a good tour of the library . . .

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A librarian is actually one of Emma’s chosen professions so she was excited to see how things work. Ms. Pat told the kids that they owned the library along with everyone else in the town and we all shared responsibility for it. It turned a lot of their perspectives . . even mine. There were two items that we talked about that the kids got the biggest kicks out of.

First, Ms. Pat gave us a tour of the adult reference area where they have a room designated for just magazines and newspapers. They have some newspapers from 1850. Emma was very impressed as she figured out that they were from the time Abraham Lincoln was president! Of course, Ms. Pat showed them where those old newspapers are – on microfiche.

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The second highlight of the tour was being able to go back to where ‘normal books’ become ‘library books’ with their pockets, plastic covers, and stickers. At this library they have to in-process 8,000 books a year. There are 4 people that work back there – that’s a lot of books per person per year! Amazing! (Emma did come up to me after I took the following picture and told me she didn’t think I was allowed to take pictures in the back room because it’s secret . . . so I only took one so she could sleep easy tonight!)
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Our biggest Cami mishap at the library today was when she decided to try to open an exit door that had an alarm. At least at that point we were only waiting on Caleb to decide on his movie. We had to hurry him along – Emma was even embarrassed! Ah, life with a toddler!

But, then here is how Cami fell asleep tonight:

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It’s not abnormal to find anyone in our family falling asleep this way. We start them young!