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Your Local Library

A Goldmine of Resources for Your Toddler and Infant

By Mary Hill

Mary Elizabeth Land, the director of my hometown library in Abbeville County, S.C., agrees, adding that the old stereotype of the shushing librarian is long dead at most libraries. "Libraries are becoming more and more like community centers," she says. "Children are welcomed into the facilities warmly, and a lot of parents are surprised at how family friendly libraries have become."

It is not unusual to see a child sitting on the floor working on a puzzle or to see parents playing board games with kids. Sometimes you will also find toddlers laughing as they play computer games designed just for them. These software programs are geared toward helping children not only with computer skills but with their literacy skills as well, Land says.

She adds that the impact of the library goes far beyond just the wonderful programming. "Many libraries, Abbeville included, offer fabulous resources, which parents can check out – from videos on making sure your home is safe for children to books filled with ideas on ways to ensure that play time is also educational for children," she says.

In the very rare instance that a local library does not have programming for families with infants and toddlers, mothers can get involved to encourage the formation of such programs, Magi says. "Talk to your librarian," says Magi. "Get other parents to do the same. Librarians are very responsive to patrons' needs and wants. If you do a little work by talking to others parents, I'm sure your librarian will respond."