I might have an easy answer to that question. Okay, that might be a bit of an overstatement, so read further and decide if this solution is for you.
Do you spend time looking for that one elusive library book which seems to get stuck in the “black hole” and is never seen again or only shows up when the fines match the cost of the book? That can get expensive when you are one of the wonderful library customers who every week checks out those huge stacks of library books and movies.
Here is a simple solution… borrow more electronic library books this year. If you own any kind of a tablet this is a fabulous solution to the lost or damaged book dilemma. As a customer of The Santa Clarita Library you are able to access the many free online resources that we offer. Take the tablet and download the following library apps, and enter your library card numbers so that your kids can explore the library’s online resources.
Here are just a few kid friendly databases the library provides. Some even have mobile apps for your phone!
Overdrive/Kids: Overdrive will allow you to download full text books AND audiobooks. This means the children can enjoy the books without a wifi connection once they are downloaded to the device. Kids can place books on hold if they are all checked out (just like physical books in the branches), and the best part: these are automatically returned so no lost books! You can search for and find Overdrive books in our regular catalog. So if a book your child wants is checked out at your branch, and Overdrive has a copy available, our catalog will tell you.
Tumblebooks for Kids: this is one of my favorite databases to recommend for the use with younger children. It is a fabulous site where animated books read storybooks to the younger children, but also has ebooks, read alongs, graphic novels andnon fiction for the more mature children and all this content can be enjoyed via the internet. This means, no lost books.
Are you sensing a theme here? I certainly hope so. But, there are a couple more!
Flipster: Don’t overlook this database and assume it’s only for adults. Plenty of kid-friendly magazines are readily available for your child’s enjoyment. For example:
Overdrive/Kids Videos: you can even have access to videos without coming into the library! You will find Imax movies, National Geographic films, classics such as The Saddle Club and other wonderful choices here.
So, hopefully one of these resources will help you say, “Goodbye” to lost books and “Hello” to electronic resources!
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