Can you tell we just picked up holds at the library?
While I was making dinner last night, I noticed that the house was really quiet. No one was playing (or fighting!), and I thought that was odd until I remembered we'd just picked up a bunch of Mrs. Piggle Wiggle books from the library.
Aha.
Sonia's read them all before, but she's still interested in re-reading them. And somehow, Zoe hasn't read them before, so she is DEFinitely interested.
They both can read books several levels above these, but man, Mrs. Piggle Wiggle is just fun no matter what level you read at.
While we're at it, can we talk again about how wonderful the public library system is? I can't even begin to imagine how much it would cost to buy all the books that we read.
(Or how much space it would take to store them all!)
I take it for granted sometimes, but being able to borrow books for free and then return them later is really quite marvelous.
Could we also talk about how wonderful the online hold system is? Ordering books from multiple branches and walking in a week later to find them all neatly waiting for me on the hold shelf is kind of magical.
I dearly love the library.
I was just thinking the same thing last night! They usually have what we're looking for, or can get it through inter-library loans, anyway. Luxury.
Love, love, love the library! And that's why I work there. 🙂
Yes, the library is my favorite place in town. However, we do have much book clutter of our own, and I wouldn't have it any other way. You see, so many of the books we love our library system doesn't have because they get rid of older books, lesser circulated books. When we see library discards at book sales, we grab up the good ones. . . usually for less than $5 a bag (stuffed full).
Because I find it hard to get all seven little ones out the door and because I don't even always have time to go online to put books on hold, having our own library works best for us because our oldest two are Readers. They eat more books than they do food (and that says something about two growing boys!)
For a while though we found ourselves buying duplicates at sales, but then we printed out lists of series of the books we like (and also different educational book lists), highlighted the ones we have, and we started taking this in a folder to the big book sales we go to. Also, if my husband happens upon one on his own, he just calls from his cell phone an it's a quick reference for us to check. I know it's kind of low tech, but it works and is easier than cataloging the whole thing.
And, yes, my boys have read Mrs. Piggle Wiggle (the ones we have) over and over. 🙂
I also work at the library and I am one of the people who makes sure that those holds are waiting for you. Glad to do it. Keep ordering. 🙂
Also, I really enjoyed reading Mrs. Piggle Wiggle with my kids. There was a cure for everything--often something they were struggling with. I'm glad your kids like them. They are "old fashioned" books and are not as popular as they once were.
They were a bit old even when I was a kid, but I didn't care at all. My kids have never seemed to either! It's sad that they're not that popular anymore.
I read them with my son--we both loved them! 🙂
We love in a tiny town of about 2000 people, but we have the best little library. The librarians know my kids by name and all their favorite books. When my third baby was born, they sent me a congratulations card. Their selection is pretty good for the size of our building, but they also interlibrary loan books for us all the time. Once my two-year-old son pulled the firealarm and was terrified; instead of being upset, they called my house a couple hours later to check on him because they wanted him to still love visiting the library. We don't have fines; there is an integrity jar on the counter to put money in if your books are late.
For the most part, in super excited to move somewhere bigger in August, but in going to desperately miss our church and library. Public libraries are the best!
"they called my house a couple hours later to check on him because they wanted him to still love visiting the library"
That's pretty awesome!
I dearly love the library, not only for its books, but also for our library's great kid activities! My husband, who prefers to read on an e-reader, can now also take out books from our library electronically, and has so many titles to choose from!
We were just at our library yesterday. Absolutely love it! My husband has a long commute and I'm able to get him books on CD to help make the time a little more enjoyable. Inter-library loaning is the most amazing thing ever too. AND that I can make the requests from the comfort of my computer chair? Amazing. My 2-year old son also loves the library, but mostly for the excellent play section that includes a train table, lego table, kitchen, coloring stations and tons more. I love that he doesn't have to be super quiet in the kids section because let's face it, he's 2!
I cannot agree more! The library is my go to place for so much. I picked up 5 delicious novels yesterday. Having a stacak of books to read on my night stand is one of my greatest pleasures. Our branches also offer free yoga, zumba, concerts on the weekends and so much more.
Libraries are a huge part of my life!
I love public libraries! I haven't been to ours in a while though. I just found an overdue book in the storage closet. :/ It was due Sept 2013. Yikes!
We love the library and we go once a week! Being close to it was a consideration when we moved. We are a family of big readers, but I don't actually like to own books. We would not be able to read as we like to if we had to purchase even part of the books. It is one of my fondest memories as a child- going to the library during the summer and stacking up a huge pile of books:)
Love the library! Books, movies, CDs. Audio books for road trips! Our branch has an online subscription to Consumer Reports; very helpful when making important purchases.
I work for a university and love that I can inter library loan from our collegiate library as well. I am actually awaiting the one cookbook your recommended a few weeks ago: I think it was Desperation Dinners? Ok, someone recommended it!
Oh, I can't wait until my kiddo (He's 3) is old enough for Mrs. Piggle Wiggle. I loved those books so much as a child.
I just signed up for a library card a few weeks ago, after not having one since graduating high school (I've moved a few times since then).
In the past 2-3 weeks, I have checked out 4 books, put one on hold, and borrowed 7 Blu-rays. I've also boxed up some books that have been collecting dust on my shelves for years to donate, knowing that if I ever get the urge to read those books, I can probably check them out from the library.
I live in a tiny little town (1000) and we have the best library with the BEST librarian!! I am soooooo grateful for all it has to offer us! I too have online access to just about everything and it is all delivered to my branch for easy pick up. My husband was able to get almost every book by Alexander Kent which would have cost a fortune to buy, even from Amazon. I can't even believe that EVERYONE doesn't use the library because it has something for everyone and it is all free!!
I love online holds. I just go straight from multi page amazon wish list to the library website. And who knew they had do many digital options?
Yes to all of these!!!! We go once a week at least now that my oldest reads chapter books. I haven't heard of piggle wiggle! SHe is blowing through chapter series at an amazing rate so I am getting some of these today!
We LOVE the library and holds are the best thing ever! I used to look for books with kids in tow until another Mom filled schooled me. My daughter (6) loves the Magic Tree House series and I put a couple on hold every week. We go on Tuesdays to pick up so we can get two movies for the price of one! We don't have cable so it's a great way to get PawPatrol (son-4) and other shows.
Oh...my Librarian's heart is happy! Thank you for singing the praises of the Public Library. Your constant support builds a community of readers. Ahhhh!
I use my public library a fair deal, OTOH I also want authors to make a living. So if I like a book enough to read it again (ie, after I've checked it out once), I'll buy it.
So many improvements in libraries with the advent of technology: online holds (although the older method of calling them in was pretty good), online reminders of books about to be due, online renewals, borrowing ebooks & other media, ability to download and keep music. I wish my library's system had a wishlist capability, so I could record books they don't have yet.
Off to put a Mrs Piggle Wiggle book on hold. I remember enjoying them as a kid, I want to see what they're like for an adult.
What a wonderful post and resulting comments to show up during National Library Week! Libraries are my favorite place, too, and not just for reading. I go for a craft night once a month to hang out with my knitting, spinning, crocheting, rug-hooking, embroiderer, tapestry, chain-mail-making, you-name-it-we'll-try-to-make-it friends! I attend art exhibits and other programming. I go when I just want a quiet place to be for awhile. Go you and go libraries!
Oh, that's funny! I had no idea it was National Library Week.
Yes, and today is actually National Library Workers Day. Please thank a library worker and support your local library. I work for a public library and we would not be able to provide all of the services we do without generous donations from the public added to the city funds we receive and being very careful with our budget to provide as much service as possible to our patrons. I got my first library card as soon as I was old enough and have had one ever since, even though my library system changed. I still remember the joy of borrowing and reading the All-Of-A-Kind-Family books by Sidney Taylor.
I use our library for my Kindle! It's wonderful and I can place up to 10 hold and checkout 3 at a time. If you turn off the wi-fi once your books are downloaded you are not limited to the 2 weeks checkout time. They don't go away until you turn your wi-fi back on to download again.
I love using the ebooks from my library too (kindle for me, nook for my mom). It's so amazing to load up my kindle with books from the library before a business trip -- lots to read and so little to carry. And all paid for by our taxes (well worth it!).
I love it too! It's the most convenient thing in the world. I can request a book to go to whichever library in town I want and then run in and check it out in less than 1 minute. It's so awesome.
Yes! The library is such a treat! Books, CDs and DVDs. We get all our binge watching favorites (Downton, Game of Thrones, House of Cards) and even new release movies from our local library. Sometimes pick up by whatever catches my eye but often by online reserve. And our librarians are the best; fun to talk to,knowledgeable and helpful and always with a great new recommendation. Favorite Place In Town!
I love my public library, too! And the nicest people work there. We also enjoy visiting public libraries in other places when we are visiting.
I'm not so fond of our current library. They are starting to add the services that make it more convenient, but the supply of books in the building and the physical amenities are pitiful. But, I used to love, love, love the library in my hometown, and went there very often as a kid.
Having said that, I am a bibliophile, and my house has a lot of books. I read and re-read my beloved books and I keep a small stack of books in my guest room, such as short stories by Agatha Christie, poems, quotes and short humorous sketches. I even put Bierce's "The Devil's Dictionary" in there. I have built in book shelves in my living room, and they are full. I am careful about not continuing to buy books too often, though, and give away or sell books I finally feel I can let go, to keep the amount of books stable.
I totally agree about the library comments. I'm homeschooling a 6th grader, 4th grader, KG and a preschooler this year. We've been doing a letter of the week method from a website, where I'm reading a bunch of books that start with that letter, and if I go in and try to find them, I never can (I know its part that the children's section just puts books in the general area for author's last name and part the distract of my kids). Its so much easier to just use the online request, create a list of books and then they are there, waiting for me!!! And last night, I was planning for the rest of the week and able to reserve a book and video for our next history topic! Love it!!
We love the library, too! I think we parents who love reading like to encourage our kids to read books we enjoyed as children--Mrs. Piggle Wiggle, The Five Little Peppers and How They Grew, Betsy, Tacy, and Tib, etc.
My children, like yours, Kristen, read well above their grade level, but part of reading is about enjoyment--I can assure you that I don't always read at my "grade level"! 😉
Sadly, the library services in my community have become a hotbed of political issues. Our local township recently voted to separate from the regional district library. I am concerned that we may find ourselves without library services.
I just had a strange thought, years from now your children will be able to say "when I was your age...", but in addition to a tale from memory they will be able to show their offspring archives of "Frugal Girl"
I LOVE the library too. Especially the online holds, I seldom peruse the shelves any more.
It's interesting to imagine that, isn't it? Who knows what the blogs (or the internet as a whole!) will look like when my kids are adults?
Picking up holds at the library are the best days! 🙂 I've only recently started going to the library again after a ten-year hiatus. What took me so long. It's just - happiness!
Oooh, oooh - I love my library, too! We just got back from it about an hour ago, actually. And my library has something every mother of young children loves - a DRIVE THRU reserve pick up!
I would have LOVED that when my kids were littler!
I always feel like I look like that goofy emoticon when I pick something up there - What a BRILLIANT idea!
Here's a question for you! When I was a kid, we pronounced her name like it rhymed with wiggly. Basically Piggly Wiggly. But, I've heard her name pronounced like it rhymed with giggle. How do you guys pronounce it?
Maybe I need an ear trumpet.
We always pronounce it like you'd pronounce "wiggle", since it's spelled that way. I've always thought that was the right way, although I have a feeling Mrs. Piggle Wiggle wouldn't have been offended if we pronounced her name wrong. 😉
I got my first library card when I was in kindergarten and was a regular library user until we retired. Then I bought an eReader and became a fan of ebooks. Amazon Prime lets me read many books for free and bookbub.com sends me a list every day of free books I can download that day. I read a lot but my allergist is thrilled that I no longer have a houseful of bookcases.
I also work at a public library (my favorite job by far) and I hardly ever leave without bringing home something new to read, watch or listen to.
My kids have been reading and re-reading so many books, I cannot imagine how much money we would have to spend if we had to buy all of them, plus sharing is caring, so I'm very happy they are not catching dust on our bookshelves.
The library is an invaluable resource for homeschooling families and a wonderful place to make friends.
Library holds are the best! We live near the county line so I have a card for our county and also the neighboring county. One of the libraries has an overdrive account for digital books & audiobooks as well. It's wonderful to have so many books available to read & listen to!