Library Free For All

The cost of everything was rising, and it was time to cut expenses. But how? Being low on the seniority list, 2-year-old Daniel would be the first to feel the pinch.

I had been enrolling Daniel in classes at a local YMCA. We started with parent/tot swim, and when he was old enough, added the parent/tot playgroup to our agenda. Since we weren't members, we not only paid a premium for classes, but we risked the classes filling before non-members were allowed to register. And while Daniel enjoyed swimming, he was among the younger children in the playgroup. He seemed intimidated by the older kids, and he resisted sitting through "circle time." I was forced to conclude that paying for classes at the Y was not making a great deal of sense.

Finding Mrs. B's free class at a nearby public library, however, was a blessing that made a great deal of sense.

During her 30-minute parent/tot story time, Mrs. B produces a puppet from her bag, reads a story, and leads the group in rhymes and finger plays, both familiar and new. Before the session ends, she dumps a pile of board books in the middle of the circle. We have time to read two or three before an army of toddlers scrambles to help Mrs. B clean up.

Daniel loves it. From the first time we walked into Mrs. B's room, he was mesmerized. As best as a 2-year-old can, he mimics the motions to each song and rhyme. No call for "clean up" was ever met with more enthusiasm. Usually shy with strangers (and even many family members), he lines up with the rest of the "Mrs. B groupies" to give a hug before we leave.

Offered at four times, on two different days, it is a "drop-in" program with no registration and no limit on class size. If we want to come once a month, we can. Twice a week is fine, too! We'll join her again in the fall, and "graduate" to the library's independent story time after Daniel turns 3.

Mrs. B's class isn't the only gem I've found at local libraries. I've found free activities not just for Daniel, but for my girls, as well: