Today's Libraries Are Better Than Ever

According to the old saying, the best things in life are free. Whoever said that might have been thinking of his public library, where a cornucopia of services and activities for all ages are free. As a result, if you are looking for fun, educational, and economical activities for you and your children, there has never been a better time to visit your local library and check out what it has to offer. You might be surprised at what you find.

Libraries have changed with the times and so have their collections. While books are still the stars of the show, they now come in multiple forms. Besides hardbacks and paperbacks, you will find books on tape and compact discs, large print books, and, in my local library, an exciting new option, "take-aways," books on portable devices small and light enough to drop in a pocket. Attach a head set to one of these tiny gadgets and you can listen as you walk, jog, or ride a bike. In addition to books, library shelves are now crowded with DVDs, including the latest releases, magazines, and music compact discs, and for those who prefer to do their reading on line, there are computers.

For kid's , today's libraries offer a dizzying array of activities. A quick check of the website for the libraries in my county in Pennsylvania listed more than 50 events targeting children and teens just in the month of March 2009, including story times for children ages one to six at all times of day--morning, afternoon, and evening. There is even a weekly therapy dog reading session for beginning or struggling readers (and those who just love dogs) that is attended by Certified Therapy Dogs. Story times at our local libraries are supplemented by a multitude of other children's programs, including crafts, homework help, card games, movies, beanie baby bingo, and sessions for home-schooled children. Undoubtedly, the children's activities calendar for your local library will be somewhat different than ours, but you may be pleasantly surprised and delighted at the number, variety, and quality of programs being offered.

Libraries also provide a diverse range of services for adults, such as speakers, book clubs, and how-to classes, and they can be invaluable sources of hard-to-find information. One of a librarian's principal jobs is to help patrons with their information needs, and most relish this responsibility. Need to know how to tie a double fisherman's knot; who won the first World Series and when; which U.S. Presidents owned dogs and what kinds; how many children Alexander Hamilton had; or what other authors John Grisham fans might like. Ask you librarian. He or she will be happy to help you find the answer.

One of the most popular features of today's libraries is the availability of computers for public use. In fact, library computers are in more demand than ever as job seekers take advantage of free access to the Internet to search for positions, polish resumes, and network.

But library support for your job hunt doesn't stop there. If you need information about businesses in your area, materials in the reference section may have the details you want. If you could use books on career opportunities, training, resume writing, effective job search techniques, and dressing for success, look on the library shelves, they are probably there. And if you want to print or copy your resume or cover letter or to fax these documents to a potential employer, these services likely are available as well.

Finally, the library can be a rewarding source of volunteer opportunities. Most public libraries depend on volunteers to supplement the services of their paid staff. If you love books, enjoy working with people, and would like to provide a valuable service to you community, there may be a spot at your local library for you.