Saturday, March 21, 2009

Library of the Year

We went to the library before swimming the other day when the weather was bad out. What a great place I tell you. The second floor is completely for kids, so awesome! The first thing my boys do is head to what they call "The Book Machine". It's really a hands on library. This is a good place for the kids to start. They grab a tile that has just come down the Lilly Pad shoot. They pick up the tile and move it to....
A little bench that is full of rollers and the tiles slide down the bench to get put through a slot. Notice my middle boy feels he must stack up an exorbitant amount of tiles. He pushes them through the slot and they go......

Down a set of rollers and then land in a little holding pen if you will.

Then my youngest takes a tile and puts it through another slot.

Now the tiles are loaded up to a conveyor belt that takes them up, up and away. My youngest is attempting to give the spinner all he has to get the conveyor belt up. Have no fear, a bigger kid will take over in no time. The older kids like to stack as many tiles in one spot on the belt so they all come down the Lilly Pads at the same time.

Then the tiles come down with a roar and my youngest is ecstatic! Then the tiles get to go through another course until they make it back to the start (though there is no "official" starting point). It really is a brilliant idea.

There is so much more too. My youngest is on the side of the bus here. The entire bus is covered with tactile, educational, fun and entertaining little activities.

He was having a real hard time grasping this idea here. He would grab for something and try with all his might to get it out of that box.

My middle son driving the bus. Just like him to make a friend. A friend with braids and pink all over.

More fun on the outside of the bus.

Here they are making words by spinning the chain around until the get the word they are after.

Those little mittens you see in the background are for measuring "hands", as in the height of a horse. And there are books and books stacked right there too. So clever!
So, are you wondering where my oldest is? Do I not care to take his picture? Well, here is where he was most of the time at the library.........

Seven year olds, I tell ya.

Oh, it really was the library of the year in 2008. The City of Cheyenne voted for an additional penny sales tax that went to pay for this project. The features of the library are incredible! You check your own books out, check them in, the books fly around on conveyor belts. It's really an incredible place to go!

The more that you read,
The more things you will know.
The more that you learn,
The more places you'll go
~~~~~Dr. Seuss







19 comments:

J K L M N O P said...

How very fun! and wonderful when the weather just doesn't cooperate! When our oldest was 4 the next 2 and the next a baby - we use to walk to the library almost everyday!

Carey-Life in the Carpool Lane said...

So cool! And it looks like all three boys had a fun time!

We have lots of libraries in our area but nothing like that! Puts our library to shame...

More Than Words said...

What a great idea to have in the library!

We have a brand spankin' new library just 5 minutes from home and I love it too! It's also two story! I love the convenience of checking out my own books and returning it the same way!! Saves so much line time!

Carolee Hollenback said...

Wow, I worked at a library b-4 AmeriPlan-it was nothing like that!

Great pics- the little has such a cheesy grin in that one pic!

Hop on over to my site & put your link there for The Ultimate Blog Party-runs all week.

He & Me + 3 said...

That is some library! Wow! How do they keep the kids quiet with all that fun?

Lynette3boys said...

That place looks awesome. My three boys would absolutely love it there. Thanks for sharing. And btw, your blog is so cute as are your boys. I'll be back and look forward to adding you to my reading list.

The J's said...

That is really awesome! I've never seen a library like that! Sure nothing like ours. A great way to "hook" kids to librays early!

Jen Milne said...

That looks like the best library ever! You got great shots of your kids, too.

Wrena said...

Great post - Great pictures but most of all I adore Bode's boots!

Carin said...

HE ME 3..... the library is three story and the second story is completely devoted to kids and teens. the kids talk a lot and get excited but it really doesn't get that loud. The first floor is more the typical library while the 3rd floor is a "no click zone" meaning NO cell phones, NO loud talking, etc.

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness I had no idea libraries are so much fun now We do hear a lot of advertising on the radio encouraging people to use them more No wonder!!cbinu

Shasta said...

What an awesome library!! I wish we had something even half that cool around here. I just love the pictures of your little man, he is so adorable, I could just squeeze him!! My 7 year old would be in the exact same place your 7 year old is in the picture. I already have to fight him for my computer!

Love the Dr. Seuss quote at the end=)

Robyn said...

What a amazing library! Looks like great fun for kids, and that would get them into books and learning.
Our library here is boring and if kids get to loud the old ladies come out and tell them Shhhhhhhhhhh.

Anonymous said...

What a great blog entry. I love the concentration on Bode's face. The Cheyenne Library rocks. I've alwawys enjoyed taking the boys to story time there. Somehow though I always missed the "Sunday Sundaes" for everyone in the family....darn. You'll have to share some of these great library ideas with your new library when you move. m-b

Mrs. Davison said...

What a great way to connect reading as being fun and interactive. Your boys will learn to love books and become good readers, I just know it.

Miti said...

Wow! What a great library! Your little ones look like they had an awesome time. I took my little guy, Mason, to the library this week. He loves books! They had storytelling followed by an art project. He had a lot of fun.

Anonymous said...

I love looking at your blog! I am going to try the "cake pop" thing today/tonight/tomorrow??? With 3 boys it will be when they let me : )
KW in Joliet

Anonymous said...

Too cool! I"m an adult and those activities looked like fun. :) And Little Man's smile says it all. Your boys are so cute.

Anonymous said...

I work across the street from this library and love to go on my breaks and lunch hour. I've taken the grand daughters different times too. Brooklyn loves it. We are getting a new building (at work) and will be moving to a different location way across town so I'll no longer be right across the street. I'll really miss it! Work will then be closer to home :) but further from the library. :( Myrna