By Karen Kelly | Special to the Times Vedette
Parents, have you reached the point in the summer where you’ve begun to count the days until school starts? Have the exciting family adventures you envisioned in May left you wondering if it’s too late to send your kids to summer camp until August?
Well, if that’s where you are, let the MJB Library help you out. Let us share ways to integrate reading into your family time. By doing so, you will improve your family time as well as prevent your kids from falling behind in reading.
Game night is always a fun family time — unless your kids insist on playing Candyland so often that you’re thinking of hiding the game from them. Fear not! The library has a large selection of board games for all ages and interests that can be checked out.
Meal time is such a good time for family conversation, but do you find yourself in a rut, cooking the same thing every week? We can help with that, too. We have an extensive collection of cookbooks. We even have cookbooks that are geared to children. Have your child read and make a recipe with you. It’s a great way for kids to work on reading while also learning fractions.
Bring your child to the library to get his or her very own library card. Then use the library card to pick out books for bedtime reading. Reading bedtime stories together is a special part of a bedtime routine. If your child is too young to read, we have an extensive collection of picture books that make great bedtime reading. For older children, have them help you choose a book or a series of books that you can read together before bed.
When you’re riding in the car, instead of everyone wearing headphones or earbuds to listen to their own thing, consider listening to an audiobook as a family. It’s fun to know what your kids enjoy reading and to see their reactions as a story unfolds. This doesn’t have to be expensive. Download the Libby app using your library card, and choose an audiobook. Another option is to check out some of our Playaway books. These are self-contained audiobooks that do not require the internet. Simply plug the Play Away into the radio using your auxiliary cord and enjoy.
Consider creating a cozy reading space in your home where you and your kids can relax and read on those rainy days when you don’t want to go out. It could be a comfy chair, a window seat or even a fort made out of couch cushions and blankets. This is a good reason to keep library books on hand.
If you need to get out of the house, there is always the Adventure Pass. Paid for by the Friends of the Library, the Adventure Pass provides free access to three venues this year: The Blank Park Zoo, the Des Moines Children Museum, and the Science Center of Des Moines. Patrons older than 18 may check out a pass to each venue once every 365 days. This pass provides admission for two adults and two children (DSM Children Museum 4 children admission). Passes have to be reserved by going to the MJB Library Website or the library.
If all that fails, just come to the library with your child. We have a great cool area for preschoolers to play. We have new sensory furniture and toys that kids enjoy. Play a game of checkers on the giant checkerboard.
Explore our STEM table or our Lego table. Ask for STEM projects from our STEM cart to build together. Enjoy some relaxing time with coloring sheets, or get creative with the maker card craft supplies.
Play a game of bowling on the Wii. Listen to a Wonderbook with your toddler. Look at the quilt and the display case collections. Come to Friday morning Storytime or one of the many programs we offer. Or just find a quiet spot to sit and read with your kids.
Let the library help you make memories and adventures with your family. Take it from a mom whose kids are all grown up, those 18 summers when your kids are under your roof will fly, so don’t waste it.
Pre-K Story Hour
PreK Story Hour is in full swing again. Starting at 10 a.m. on Fridays, the storytime is geared toward preschool children, but anyone may attend. July 19 will focus on “Summer,” while the theme for July 26 will be fun food.
Adult Programs
Adults are reminded that all the regular programs are running through the summer.
Cribbage will continue to meet each Monday morning from 9-11 a.m. in the Taylor Meeting Room.
Bridge will meet Wednesday morning from 9-11 a.m.
Card Making Club will meet from 9-11 a.m. on Thursday, July 18, to create handmade greeting cards, under the direction of Judi Zimmerline. The Card Making Club provides all needed materials for a fee of $5.
Cookbook Club will be meeting on Thursday, July 18 at 6:30 p.m. to share the recipes they have chosen from this year’s Taste of Home magazines.
Magic Show
On Wednesday, Aug. 7, the MJB Library will be hosting a magic show at 3:30 p.m. Prepare to be amazed and entertained by this magic show for all ages.
New books
Are you finding yourself needing something to occupy the time you are waiting for baseball games to start or dance practice to end? Or do you just want to lounge at the pool and read? If so, stop in the MJB Library or check out our online catalog at the library website. We have so many new and interesting books.
We have some great new summer reads like “Swan Song” by Elin Hilderbrand, “The Next Mrs. Parish” by Liv Constantine, and “Look on the Bright Side” by Kristan Higgins. Tom Selleck’s new memoir entitled “You Never Know” is a delightful read about his acting career.
David Maine concentrates on his craft project at preschool Storytime, which takes place every Friday at 10 a.m.
Tayen Flanery, with her mom, Samantha, proudly shows off her finished bug jar.
Craft time is a favorite part of Storytime. Last week’s project was making bug jars.
This little patron is fascinated by the bug jar she created during Storytime.