Saturday, 5 October 2013

Childrens Library Cards Offer Benefits

By Angel Dudley


From an early age, young people need to be allowed to express themselves and to make responsible decisions. There are many ways they may be given this opportunities but one stands out a way for them to gain advantages that will last their entire life. The benefits of childrens library cards extends far beyond simply checking out books.

There is so much that a library has to offer to people from all age groups. When children are exposed to these institutions on a regular basis, through story time activities or weekly visits, they learn that this is a place of positivity. Here they may develop useful social skills and other behavioral habits that can be beneficial in later years.

The first benefit they will reap is a love of reading, followed closely by a desire to learn, explore and discover. They will have access to a virtually endless supply of data between the books, references, computers and videos. Learning the way the system works gives them ample opportunity to follow information trails to uncover so many things they might not have otherwise ever been exposed to.

Having their personal name printed on the card gives a child a huge sense of pride. They feel more confident that their parents have enough faith in them to allow them to make their own choices regarding their reading material. It also instills in them the importance of responsibility for their decisions and actions.

A sense of independence is another trait children often gain early on when they are presented with a card of their own. They learn how to go through the process of making informed decisions as an individual. They need to be responsible for choosing what they will do while in the facility and how best to utilize their time, whether they go alone, with a friend, relative, sitter, grandparent or parent.

Given set parameters, a child should also be allowed to go through the thought process necessary to arrive at individualized decisions so that they can experience that freedom. Parents do have a tendency to want to force or encourage their kids to follow their lead and read only what they themselves find interesting. However, as unique people, the children need to be allowed to freely explore their curiosity in order to figure out what suits them best.

Improved study skills may also be a benefit to having access to the resources of such public institutions. They can go after school or on weekends and use the available materials to complete research papers, homework or other assignments. The atmosphere within libraries is extremely conducive to concentration and intense study, especially for those who need to avoid distractions as much as possible.

Allowing parents to present childrens library cards to their young ones is a wonderful way to let the child know they are being trusted with responsibility. They will be given exposure to many forms of information and educational resources that can make it easier to succeed in school and even later in the job market. There are several benefits gained such as responsibility, independence, curiosity and the freedom to explore their desires and individual preferences.




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