Library Strategy: OR and Post-Op

I try to segregate the library books at home from our own collection, but they usually get mixed together anyways. We have a "find library books game" on library trip mornings and pile them all on the coffee table. We look under the couch, under beds, under the bed sheets, in the van and inside backpacks. I check my online library account to see how many books I have checked out and then I count all the books on the coffee table. We are usually within 5, and then we start looking for specific titles. The missing are usually Claire's, and she knows where they are. This is our system. I don't know how it works. I rarely lose books, and even if we can not find 1 or 2 books, I am on the librarian's good side (chocolate!) and she graciously extends the due dates.

Getting everyone and all the books in the van is always a chore. I have to time it just right after breakfast but before lunch and naps, while avoiding the times I know that the local public and private schools takes trips to the library.

When we arrive the kids pretty much run free in the children's section. Claire and Lily immediately immerse themselves in yucky books like Barbie easy readers and Disney picture books. Isabel likes to play with all of the germ infested toys and Gus runs around like a mad-man pulling books off the shelves and leaving a general wake of destruction in his path. I QUICKLY:

(1) Browse the book displays - Browsing the displays seems so obvious, but the librarians are clever ladies. They often pull out books I would have never otherwise looked at. They put out a thoughtful selection for every imaginable event: Olympics, Dr. Seuss's birthday, Black History Month, Valentine's Day, etc.

(2) Look for books in the non-fiction section - I get an assortment from different rotating topics - weather, zoology, human body/ senses, astronomy, poetry, history, world cultures, etc. I try to ask the kids what they would like to learn about on the way to the library and pull things off the shelves accordingly.

(3) Look for picture books - Using a trick I learned from my sister-in-law, I choose books from a different section on each trip. I start in the A's and gradually work my way through to Jane Yolen and Gene Zion. It is easy for me and easy for the librarians to reshelve our books.

(4) Get a book on CD (or three) - We really, really love books on CD. I try to get at least one book every time we go to the library. I have found that many of the actors or actresses that read the books have amazing voices and bring the stories to life in a way I can't. The girls will sit and listen for hours if I let them. We just found a series of CD's we really like called Rabbit Ears.

I give the kids a two minute warning and pick up Gus's mess. Checking out is always fun. "How many books today? Wow. You guys must like to read." (Rolling my eyes.) The trip home is eerily quiet. The afternoon is relaxing and the true joy of homeschooling, snuggling on the couch reading books to my children.