We love our libraries!

  Yesterday we took advantage of one of our local library's programming for a "school's out" day since Lawrence Public Schools had the day off.  They had staff from the Kansas Cosmosphere come and talk on different subjects, including the one we attended which was "Life in Space".

Our speaker's PowerPoint presentation included neat videos of astronauts in space doing their everyday thing.  He brought a variety of space foods, and other props for hands on pass arounds for the kids.  They left the talk totally thrilled!  The library also has had on display an indoor planetarium and spaceman "Steve".  We'd looked Steve over the past couple of times we've been, but got our picture taken with him this time!

I love the Lawrence Library.  They just went through a major renovation a couple of years ago and while there's parts of the new I don't appreciate they kept alot of the essence of what I always have.  They have unique books.  Interesting books that we can't find at other libraries.  Sure, they have the run of the mill, but they are eclectic in some of the things that they carry.  They have wonderful reading nooks and of course the fish and train table.  They also have walls of windows!  There is nothing more inviting than an area that seems to have no barrier to the outside...

Shorty playing puppets in the kids section

We not only utilize the Lawrence Library, but we are in the unique situation by virtue of where we live that enables us to use our small town library, Lawrence (1/2 hr. away) and also Topeka (which is also 1/2 hr. away). All have great programming for kiddos and some specifically for homeschoolers.
  Our small town library we use for everyday reading - fiction chapter books, picture books and general background for studies we are doing.  They can interlibrary loan most things which is a blessing, just takes a little planning.  We also utilize the local one a ton because it has no late fees, the other ones do.  Those are stinkers!  We try to stay on top of overdues, but there's always that one time...
  The Topeka library is a typical big city library.  We make it to Topeka and Lawrence at least once a month, so it's not too bad of a balancing act with due dates of every 3 weeks.  The Topeka library has more variety of the mainstream books, so that next Boxcar Children might be on hand there.  Or if we need a bigger variety for our Chemistry studies we can grab some extras in the regular kids section or the teacher's library (that's a neat bonus!).  Their children's section is one of a kind too.  One of my artist buddies did a fantastic job painting murals that really draw a person in.  There's a bookshelf made to look like a bus, and a dinosaur standing in the middle of one of the rooms and his upper body disappears into the ceiling!  And of course, the fish.  What kids section would be complete without them? ;)
  A library is the homeschooler's best friend.  We are still finding ways that we can better use what they offer in our schooling.  I am so pleased that the ones we have in our area are homeschool friendly and readily accessible :)