Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Score 4 free tickets to Zoo Atlanta...by visiting the library!


Madelyn is chosen to participate in a magic trick at the library.
For a couple of years now I have been itching to revisit the Gilmer County Library, part of the Sequoyah Regional Library System, but I just couldn’t bring myself to do it. I tried it once and had to deal with a wild toddler tantrum and a lively, albeit unwanted, game of hide and seek amongst the stacks. I do have red-heads after all. Now that the girls are a bit older, we are enjoying the library in all of its glory, and I am discovering that the institution is remarkably more modernized than I expected.

So just what has changed? Well, for starters, their website, SequoyahRegionalLibary.org, is a goldmine. From the homepage, you can search for and reserve materials, view regional monthly activity schedules, check out eBooks and research your heart out with an enormous array of online reference materials. Just last week, I was browsing the site and discovered that you can check out a copy of the Zoo Atlanta Family Pass DVD and score four free tickets, good for two adults and two children) to Zoo Atlanta. Using the online tools, you are even able to see if the DVD is checked out or available at several different locations. Amazing! Our summer just got a little bit more exciting.


You might be interested to know that local public libraries also:


  1. Offer a Summer Reading Program for kids, giving children the opportunity to read towards prizes like free ice cream, kid’s meals, certificates and the chance to win a giant gift basket.
  2. Host events all summer long that are free, entertaining and educational. We really enjoyed the free magic show featuring Ken Scott, magician extraordinaire who has performed at the White House. He was wonderful with the children, and I imagine I would have paid big bucks to see a show of this caliber outside of the library.
  3. Offer many children's activities including the LEGO Club, puppet shows and craft activities, and of course the weekly story times. Bilingual classes and activities are offered each month.
  4. Offer free activities and classes for teens and adults. Specialized teen events are scheduled each month, and adults can enjoy classes ranging from karate to cross-stitching. For those interested in continued learning, the library offers free open college courses online, from the likes of MIT and Johns Hopkins.


These incentives are designed to draw families back to one of the greatest public resources available– the library itself. How long has it been since you last used your library card, and do your children have one? Visiting the library and getting the family involved in exploring and reading books truly encourages learning and development, with many studies citing the benefits.

I hope this article inspires you to stop by the Gilmer County Library (or your local public library) and rediscover the magic. Happy reading!