If you haven’t checked out the resources available through the Phoenix Public Library system lately, take a few minutes to explore the website. I guarantee it will be time well spent. The library has a amazing array of services, programs and activities for parents and children of all ages.
Besides the regular, day-to-day stuff—the enormous on-site collections of print, video, audio and electronic materials, the reference and tech help, the job hunting and pre-college services offered daily—there are classes, events, programs and workshops on almost any subject you can think of. They are available year-round, seasonally, monthly, weekly or on specific special dates. Keep in mind that some take place throughout the library system and others only at the central library (Burton Barr) or at certain branches.
I like to picture it as the inner workings of a giant mechanical clock with dozens of interlocking gears—big, little and littler still—each turning at its own pace, each doing its bit to contribute to the library’s mission statement: “We connect today’s community to a world of possibilities.” It is precision clockwork tick-tock-ticking away, beautifully designed to educate, enrich, entertain and enlighten.
In addition to all the regularly scheduled activities, the annual Chinese New Year festivities and the annual Black History Month events, this month the library is offering two very special family-oriented activities.
Storyfest Star Stories
This celebration is the perfect opportunity for all your junior Reys, Finns, Poes, your munchkin Elon Musks, Scott Kellys, Neil deGrasse Tysons, Lisa Randalls and your pint-sized Mark Watneys, Dr. Whos and Claras to indulge their science fact and fiction fantasies.
Storyfest Star Stories takes place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20 at Burton Barr Central Library, 1221 N. Central Ave. The theme is space and the message is “Reading is Awesome!”
Encourage your kids to dress up as their hero/ines, enter the costume contest and enjoy all the space-themed crafts and activities, including a LEGO build arena and a photo booth. Come early—the first 500 children will receive a free book—and stay late—there will be free prize drawings during the event.
Take the We READ challenge
We READ is a system-wide reading challenge complete with game boards and prizes. The program runs until April 1. You can visit any branch library before March 1 to sign up and get your boards.
The goal is 20 minutes of read-aloud or independent reading to or by each participant for 30 days.
The program is intended to encourage families to establish and maintain reading routines because literacy skills are essential to academic, economic and social success. Research shows that children who are read to from birth form stronger social connections, have larger vocabularies, higher IQs and better problem-solving skills than average—and that they are better prepared to succeed in school. Kids who read at grade level by third grade are more likely to do well in high school and go to college. What a fabulous return on a tiny investment of time!
Time flies and February is short. Take the We READ challenge and reach for the stars at Storyfest—then give some of the other amazing library programs a try. Tick-tock…
