It’s hard for me to write about libraries without accidentally composing a love letter. Local libraries are treasure troves of information and resources far beyond the cornucopia of books they offer. They are community gathering places, offering a variety of spots to meet, places to play together, and classes to fill your day and grow your child’s mind. In the winter months, libraries are a lifesaver! They provide a way to battle cabin fever while staying warm and not spending any money.
Here are some ways to get the most out of our local libraries during the winter months (and all year long):
Visit Different Play Spaces
The simplest way to take advantage of the local libraries is to visit the children’s rooms. Each one has a unique play space fitted with different reading nooks. Many have computers with educational games on them. Some offer play kitchens and train tables, while others offer craft spaces and building blocks. These rooms provide a great space to play with your children that also opens up the possibility of your child finding a new playmate for the day and of you having another adult to chat to.
These rooms also frequently offer things like scavenger hunts to give you and your child an engaging mission to complete during your visit.
Looking to try a new one? Here are some highlights of ones I’ve personally visited:
- Shrewsbury Library: has a very big play space with a kitchen, train table, puzzles, and dinosaurs. Do one of their rotating scavenger hunts, and while you’re at it, scout out the many cozy spots you can go curl up to read some books in.
- Northborough Library: offers small play houses to duck into, as well as a light table. Check out the back room for a puppet theater, coloring space, snack tables, and rotating pretend play. Don’t forget to say hi to local celebrity pet Bearded Dragon, Dr. Taco McBeardface.
- Boylston Library: offers a tiny, cozy children’s room with crafts, dress-up, and a perfectly sized space to allow parents to sit while monitoring children’s independent play.
- Worcester Public Library: has a sprawling children’s space full of tables for sitting at, corners to go read in, and computers with early literacy games. There’s a rocket ship to explore, as well as building blocks, pretend toys, and lots of reading nooks.
Follow the Event Calendars
Looking for something to do? Check out the library event calendar of all libraries within driving distance. All local libraries offer regularly scheduled programs ranging from songs and fingerplays with infants to preschool story times, to book clubs for big kids and teens. Many also offer special programs throughout the months. There are cultural events, movie picnics, nature lessons with live animals, science experiments, cooking, and more! Whether you are trying to find a way to have a fun educational experience with your three kids under 5 or a mom to a video game-loving teen, there are programs out there to meet your needs!
Don’t forget yourself! Libraries also offer a lot of evening time social events for adults. There are game nights, crafting circles, resume workshops, and guest speakers—just to name a few things! Check these events out if you are looking for a fun, easy, and free way to socialize with adults in the evenings.
Take Advantage of Inter-library Loans
Are you looking to spend your evenings reading that fantasy book everyone can’t stop talking about, but it’s checked out at your library? Is your child suddenly enamored with axolotls, and she’s already read every book your library offers? Take advantage of inter-library loans! If you have some specific books you are looking for, use the catalog search from your local library’s home page. If the materials you’re seeking aren’t at your own library, you can put a hold on a copy from another library. It will be delivered to your local library in a few days.
Check Out a Museum Pass
Libraries have partnerships with several local museums and gardens. They offer passes for discounted or even free admission to lots of local spots. You will need to plan ahead a bit because often, the passes need to be reserved in advance for specific days, and you will need to make time to pick up the pass from the library. Once they are booked, you are all set to go play and learn someplace new without breaking the bank. Take advantage of this program to plan some low/no-cost daytime adventures.
Utilize the Library of Things
A little-known fact is that local libraries also each offer a “Library of Things.” Each one boasts a different menu of items. Generally, you can look here to find home improvement tools, crafting machines, baby gear, board games, and sporting equipment. If you are looking to take up a new hobby to entertain your winter months, want to try your hand at Pickleball before you commit to buying a racket, hope to tackle a home DIY project on a budget, or need a Pack n’ Play for a last-minute family visitor, the library has got you covered. Check out what your local one has to offer!
Libraries are community goldmines providing so many ways to find community, learn, and bust boredom. Do you have a favorite library? Share in the comments!
If you’re looking for a local library, or to explore event calendars, book museum passes, or peruse the Library of Things, start here. CWMARS stands for Central/Western Massachusetts Automated Resource Sharing. And library cards at one of these libraries offer reciprocity with all the others on the list. Endless entertainment and support await you. Happy Librarying!
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