It's Time to Re-discover the Library

For far too long now our kid's have been subjected to a fast-paced society where everything can be broken down into 30 second sound bites or a 2 minute music video. Kids nowadays spend far too much time with their faces in front of a TV watching the latest, greatest cartoon or, worse yet, playing uber violent video games while we as parents sit idly by and let them do it. We, as a society, have become so consumed by this new fast paced world that we seem to have lost touch with those little things that made us happy when we were little.

One of those things, for me at least, is reading and going to the library. When I was a boy, going to the library was like entering a fantastic new world where anything, and everything was possible and I could suspend belief for an hour or two each week. The chance to get our own kids back to the library has never been better than it is now thanks in no small part to the huge success of the Harry Potter books. Children everywhere have discovered the magic, pardon the pun, and the pure joy of reading. It has opened their minds to infinite possibilities and once a child's mind is opened it's a very difficult thing to close which is a very good thing.

Forget about just the reading aspect of the library, going there and actively participating teaches them a couple of important social lessons as well. They will learn punctuality as the books have to be returned by a certain date as well as respect for other people's property, just a couple of things that seem to be sorely lacking in today's youth.

It's also a great place for us adults too as there is so much more than just books there now. I usually take my laptop with me and am able to write or work in peace while the kids go explore. Most libraries now have wi-fi access so that you can get online while there. If you still don't have a lot of time to read, a problem for a lot of parents in particular, then there are hundred of books on CD now available that you can listen to while shuttling the kids back and forth or out running errands. My wife, who was never one to pick up a book, is now hooked on audio books and goes through them very quickly as she has to travel a lot for her work.
You can also usually find the latest issues of popular magazines which end up saving a ton of money in the long run; take it from me, a certified magazine junkie.

So tonight, or this weekend instead of plopping the kids in front of the TV why not pay a visit to your local library. Just about every town has one and you'll find that there really isn't much better than spending some quality time with your kids and sharing the gift of reading. My Mum did it for me and for that I'll be eternally grateful.