Making Good Use of The Library

Learning to use the library is a true lifetime skill. Do start early. Get your child his or her own library card to be responsible for; it's a very adult thing to do.

• Help your child become acquainted with the librarian and the services offered by the library, such as reserving books, using computers, or other media opportunities. Encourage your child to join any reading programs that might be available through your public library.

• Show a child of eight or nine how to look up books by favorite authors and those on subjects of special interest. Teach your child to check the table of contents and the preface or introduction to a book to find out what's in it.

• Once you're home with these newly checked out library books, find a special shelf or other place to keep them, so they won't get mixed up with your child's own books. You might also use a special book bag just for this purpose.

• Teach responsibility for borrowed books by marking the due date on your calendar or posting a list of books and their due dates on your refrigerator; that way you can be sure on returning them on time.

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