Parents and Teachers

Finding Fall Picture Books: Good Reads for the Holidays & Every Day

Posted on October 11, 2023 at 6:00 am

Autumn is a beautiful time. Deciduous trees make their colorful transformations. Cooler temperatures prevail. People revel in steaming beverages and cuddly sweaters. Autumn is also the time when seasonal children’s books are especially popular for check out. Even with over 100 picture book titles that come up in our catalog for searches for autu […]

Still Golden: Little Golden Books Are 81 Years Old & Going Strong

Posted on August 29, 2023 at 6:00 am

Do you remember your first Little Golden Book? The Little Golden Book series is a uniquely American success story. Launched at a time when the nation had barely emerged from the Great Depression and was deeply embroiled in World War II, the philosophy behind the 25¢ books was to give working-class parents an affordable way to have engaging books a […]

Inclusivity, Awareness & Literacy: Sensory Storytime & Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

Posted on March 2, 2023 at 4:30 am

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month and prompts us to consider our level of awareness, what is and isn’t in place in our community for inclusion of all people of all abilities, and what we can do as individuals and as a community to be open to and inclusive of everyone. In this guest blog, learn about Sensory Storytime and browse […]

How to Talk with Children About the Holocaust: Expert Tips & Suggested Books

Posted on January 24, 2023 at 6:00 am

By Melissa Rhoades Historic atrocities can feel like they’re not related to our lives today. But historic events were shaped and experienced by regular people like you and me. And regular people like you and me are shaping the future right now. As author Deborah Hopkinson writes in We Must Not Forget, “… it’s up […]

When Kids Say the Darndest Things & Surprise Us at the Library…

Posted on January 11, 2023 at 6:00 am

One of the best parts of working in a public library is interacting with children. Their wonder challenges adult cynicism. Their questions often make us think about the world in a new way. I asked my colleagues to share some of their favorite interactions children in the library. Here are some of those stories that we love. Kids can be tough custom […]

1 in 5 Are Affected by Dyslexia: Get More Information, Early Intervention & Helpful Resources

Posted on September 14, 2022 at 6:00 am

Dyslexia is one of the most common specific learning disabilities (SLD) in the world. According to the Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity, it affects up to 20 percent of the population. However, despite the high prevalence of this learning difference, it is often misunderstood by the general public, educators, and parents. As a result, dyslexia […]

Benefits of Creating Routines for Back to School & Resources for (Dreaded) Homework

Posted on September 13, 2022 at 6:00 am

By Alison Johnson Getting back into a routine for school is always a transition. If you have had a relaxed schedule during the summer months, frantic mornings do not have to characterize the start of the school year. The challenge is creating a routine that works for you and your family. Setting up schedules […]

How to Connect with Community Organizations That Help Students with Back-to-School Needs

Posted on August 10, 2022 at 6:00 am

By Crystal Miller August is National Back to School Month. Starting a new year of school can require new clothes and school supplies, among other things. Some families may need some extra help to provide these things for their students. If you are able to help, there are many ways you can donate to help […]

5 Tried & True Ways to Keep Kids Reading All Summer

Posted on August 3, 2022 at 6:00 am

By Alison Johnson One of the most important things to do this summer is to encourage the children in your life to read. For some of us, this can be difficult task. If kids only read for school, they might think of reading as trudging through a “classic” book or reading comprehension assignments. And they […]

New Picture Books in Rhyme Bring Family Fun to Your Storytime

Posted on May 4, 2022 at 6:00 am

Presenting storytimes again also gives me the perfect excuse to explore the new picture books added to our collection. Believe it or not, we’ve purchased over 650 picture books between January 2021 and April 2022. That’s a pretty hefty amount for one person to peruse! Here are eight new picture books that provide a great introduction to stories […]