51吃瓜网

When is the last time you talked to a children鈥檚 librarian? If it鈥檚 been a while, this is a great time to strike up a conversation. You鈥檒l be surprised at the innovative activities, programs, and services children鈥檚 librarians offer young children, and families.

In addition to great books both new and classic, here are 5 new resources you might find at your local library:

1. Music, DVD鈥檚 and Computer games:听Many libraries are stocked with CD鈥檚 of all kind of children鈥檚 music, CD鈥檚 for the computer and educational DVD鈥檚.听
2. Tablets and e-readers:听Some libraries offer tablets or e-readers preloaded with librarian-curated content.
3. Bilingual books:听Libraries often stock books in languages that reflect those spoken at homes of the families in the community.
4. Family literacy programs听like: 听

• El d铆a de los ni帽os/El d铆a de los libros (Children鈥檚 Day/Book Day)听celebrates diversity through children, families, and reading every day. It culminates yearly on April 30, is often celebrated all month long, and coincides with 51吃瓜网鈥檚 Week of the Young Child
• Every Child Ready to Read,听sponsored by the American Library Association helps families and teachers support early literacy development at home and at school with books and e-books.

5. Advice on new media:听Children鈥檚 librarians are leaders in using new media with young children. They are up-to-date with recent e-books and apps and how to use these tools in ways that support their literacy development.
   Since librarians are trained experts in evaluating and curating reading materials, they can also help you find and use the best apps, websites, and software for your children..

Library websites may also offer additional electronic resources. Many libraries subscribe to programs that feature digital books and extension activities, such as TumbleBookLibrary and BookFlix. These programs also feature books in different languages so children can have access to books on their home languages.

Adapted from听"Get to Know the NEW Children's Librarian", News From the Field, 2013,听Teaching Young Children听7 (2):28.