My son once told me, "The library is one of my favorite places in the entire world." This summer, when you complete our summer library challenge and library scavenger hunt, you may just find your kids saying the same thing.
We all know that libraries offer summer reading programs. Yet, how often do you take your kids to the library during summer? Do you ever think there must be more to learn about your local library? Do you wonder how you can take better advantage of the library? And, by the way, what do those librarians actually do?
When you complete these library challenges, you and your kids will discover new books, great authors, favorite reading subjects as well as all the extras your library has to offer.
But... before you start the Great Summer Library Challenge you need to do one thing.
- Visit your local library and sign up for their summer reading programs. Adults, it's up to you to set a good example and many libraries have adult summer reading programs and book lists, so you must join, too!
How the Library Challenge Works
We have put together three challenges (fiction, nonfiction, resources) to help your family explore the various sections of the library. They are specifically designed for you and your kids to do together. All the suggestions are easily adaptable to your own interests and your children's reading level.
Each section contains 4-6 basic challenges and each basic challenge has 1-3 or more advanced challenges. By the way, "advanced" means "extra fun," not "extra hard." It is summer, after all. When you've worked through the challenge, complete the library scavenger hunt!
***To get the advanced (aka "extra fun") challenges and scavenger hunt you need to get the free, printable pdf version of this challenge. Fill out this form and it will magically appear in your email inbox. ***
Don't forget! This is not a test. It is impossible to fail! Your only job is to have a fun trip to the library! If you get to the library and then decide, "Ya know, my kids are happily reading books in the corner, I'm just gonna relax," that's A-OK, (That's what I would do, but it's no secret that I always take the easy road.) But there are a lot of empty summer days to fill and it's our hope that these library quests will get you excited about discovering new books.
Library Challenge #1: Discover the Fiction Section
Do you ever wander around the library section and end up checking out books you've already read? As a busy-and-very-important grown-up, it's tempting to do so. After all, why risk a new book that the kids won’t like when you can find a book from your childhood that you already know is great.
These library challenges are designed to not only encourage your kids to learn about the fiction section of your library, but also to learn some tricks for finding awesome new books on every trip.
(Remember, you can get the advanced challenges in the printable.)
Fiction Challenge #1: Introduce Your Kids to a Classic
Tell your kids the names of 3 favorite books from your childhood. Show them how to use the library catalog to find the books. Read them together and check them out.
Fiction Challenge #2: Find new fiction books on a favorite topic
The nonfiction section isn’t the only place to read about a favorite topic. Pick a keyword that will interest your kids (for example, “dinosaur” or “digger”). Using the library catalog (ask your librarian if you need assistance), find several fiction books on that topic.
Fiction Challenge #3: Explore different reading levels of the children’s fiction section.
The children’s section is usually divided into several areas: picture books, early readers, and chapter books/middle grade novels. Check out at least one book from each leveled area of the fiction section to read with your kids. You may be surprised that your young child loves listening to chapter books and your older children still enjoys picture books.
Fiction Challenge #4: Utilize your librarian’s recommendations
Find the display section for fiction books, and check out several new-to-you books that the librarians have placed there.
Fiction Challenge #5: Find a popular book
Browse your library fiction shelves until you find titles that have at least two to three copies of the same book on the shelf. Check out one of the books from several of the sets. (Be sure to look for books that you have not read yet.)
Fiction Challenge #6: Find a popular author
Scan your library fiction shelves and look for multiple books by the same author. Look for an author that you either have never read or have only read one book from and check out several new books by that author. You might notice some authors have written so many books, they fill an entire shelf!
That's it! See? A painless way to start discovering your library's children's section! You also get bonus points if you talk to your librarian and share with him or her your journey through each of the challenges (just kidding, we are not actually giving out points... but do talk to your librarian).
Library Challenge #2: Nonfiction
Pre-Challenge:
Non-fiction books in the library are shelved according to the Dewey Decimal Classification system. You will need to understand the basics of this system (or the system your library uses) in order to locate the call numbers of the books you want. If you and your children are not familiar with how Dewey Decimal works your first challenge is to ask your librarian! Part of the purpose of The Great Summer Library Challenge is to help you feel comfortable chatting with the people who want to help you! So don’t look the DDC up online... ask!
(Remember, you can get the advanced challenges in the printable.)
Nonfiction Challenge #1: World Geography and Culture
Ask a librarian to help you find an atlas. Find and locate a country you’ve never visited. Using the library catalog, locate and check out three books about that country and its culture.
Nonfiction Challenge #2: Plants
In the library catalog, type in the subject word, “plants.” What is the general call number for most of the books? Browse that section of the children’s nonfiction shelves. Find and check out 2 books: one about identifying flowers and trees and one about how to grow a home garden.
Nonfiction Challenge #3: Poetry
The nonfiction section contains more than just factual books! Find the poetry section and check out three types of poetry books: an anthology of works by different poets, a collection by a single author and a book of themed poetry.
Nonfiction Challenge #4: Fairy and Folk Tales
Nonfiction is not all about dry facts and data! Find and check out a fairy or folk tale anthology and read at least three different stories from it.
Nonfiction Challenge #5: Sports
What is your favorite sport? Find the sport’s location in the nonfiction section of the library. Write down the call number. What is the sport that comes right before it on the shelves? Right after?
Nonfiction Challenge #6: Biography
Find the biography section. Browse the shelves and find 2 books to read and check out: one about a person whose name you’ve heard, one about someone new to you.
Library Challenge #3: Resources
It’s easy to walk in your library and be so enamored with all the books that you totally miss some of the other wonderful resources that are available. For example, because of this challenge, I now know I can book up to half and hour of personalized research time with a librarian. I can even text a New York Public Librarian a question.
Don’t be shy about asking your librarian to help you with these challenges. You might be surprised what library resources for children you discover.
(Remember, you can get the advanced challenges in the printable.)
Resource Challenge #1: Computers
Ask your librarian what programs and resources are available at the library’s computer station for your age child.
Resource Challenge #2: Non-Book Collections
Talk to your librarian to find out what non-print materials are in circulation. You may be familiar with the more common ones such as audiobooks, music CDs, and DVDs, but your library may also offer braille, photographs and art work, even toy sets or STEM kits that your kids can borrow.
Resource Challenge #3: Events & Exhibitions
Does your library hold regular or special events and exhibitions? Ask your librarian how you can keep abreast of these events. Sign up for an email or mailing list so you can be notified of the library happenings.
Resource Challenge #4: Outreach Services and Give Back
Many libraries take their services and resources to people who cannot physically get to the library. They might have an outreach program to senior centers or provide disaster relief information. Some libraries have services like free after-school tutors for kids or help with filling out government forms. Talk to your librarian and ask them 1) what they think the library's most valuable outreach program is; 2) what the most utilized service is; and 3) what the service is they wish more people knew about.
Extra-Credit Resource Challenge
Free access to information is essential for a free society. Some might argue that the internet can play the role of a library as a source of open, free information. After all, it's easy to look something up at home on the web. Ask your librarian why the internet can never replace the library. Then, open the topic up for discussion at your next family meal.
Library Scavenger Hunt
Now that you and the kids have completed the Great Summer (or anytime) Library Challenge, this fun library scavenger hunt will be a breeze! And there's even a prize for completing it. What's the prize you ask?
Why it's checking out a stack of books from the library, of course!
Get the printable library challenge and the scavenger hunt printable! Fill out the form below and it will magically appear in your email inbox.
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