Anybody else use library books for the majority of their curriculum? - Page 2

[mommy68]

Originally Posted by SagMom

Aside from the large system we have, we also have a paid membership to a system in the next county over. :

I didn't know this could be done either. I like the library but we rarely have time to make it to the library in our county because it's so far. It's odd, however, that we are much closer to the library in the next county over. So I might see if we can get a membership there instead.

[boigrrrlwonder]

Originally Posted by SagMom

Aside from the large system we have, we also have a paid membership to a system in the next county over. :

I've thought about doing that for the university library nearby. One of the awesome things about the libraries in my area is a reciprocal borrower program with all the libraries in the nearby counties.

[Britishmum]

I wish I could use the library more. I just find it so hard, as my 3 yo is wild in there, and I rarely get time to go alone. Life is just too busy. My older kids love it, and come out with tons of books, but I need time to browse and really concentrate. With the 3 yo that's impossible.

Then there's the hassle of finding books to return. We alwasy end up searching the house for one or two books at the end, and our fines in our city library are astronomical.

I end up buying a lot of what we need to use a lot, but with the three kids, I don't feel to bad about that, as we'll use them over and over.

Next year I plan to organize more time to go to borrow books alone, but right now, I just don't get time.

[Collinsky]

I'm the eldest of 5 hs graduates and yep - the library was where it all went down. I figure we will use the library a lot as my kids become more independent readers, but I'm not sure how having the internet (something we did not have) will affect that, as so much information is right at our fingertips now.

But I have such fond memories of wandering the stacks. I went on a huge international foods kick and brought home about 10 of these amazing cookbooks that they had there and just devouring what I could about different cuisines. I got writer's cramp copying down hundreds of recipes for Polish chicken and Greek pasta and Indian bread. I learned a lot, actually. Including the word for chicken in several different languages!

The library is still a really special place to me. We won't be having any planned curriculum, but definititely lots and lots of books from any and all sources - and the library tops the list of wonderful sources.

[hipumpkins]

We're always at the library. Our librarians are great. Very helpful not scournful of loud kids in the children's section.
Our librarian even set up a book club once a month for homeschoolers after talking to me

[CheapPearls]

I'm getting to the point where I'm using the library a ton. I see a lot of library books and DVDs in our future.

Originally Posted by Britishmum

I wish I could use the library more.

I know what you mean. I dread taking my three in there by myself. The sight of all the books just drives them wild (not a bad thing really but not the greatest in a library either ) I love that our library has online lists and I can put books on hold then just stop in and pick them up on the way to and from other errands/trips. It makes things SO much less stressful for me. Does you library have something like that?

We have a rule that all library books when not in use are left on the shelf in the living room. It keeps them from getting lost or a certain small someone finding one and ripping out pages/drooling all over it.

[abharrington]

yup..like others, i LOVE the online catalog, hold items and pick up at once and interlibrary loans. dd loves to go in and play after story time, too. we also keep all library books on the coffee table and our books on the shelves, so as to keep them separate and ready to return.

another added bonus...no late fees. our library does not charge them. if a book is out long enough, they will freeze your account until you return it or pay for it. gotta love that! (we can also have food and drinks anywhere except at a computer. the city polled residents for what they wanted in a library and then made it happen. i will be so sad to leave. )

[AAK]

As a former children's librarian, I can honestly say that a ton of homeschoolers use the library a LOT. I did order books based on their input often. I also learned a lot about homeschooling, breastfeeding, etc from all the wonderful mommas that came in to the library that I worked at. Shame on the librarian who can't find greek myths. . . seriously!

Amy

[SunRayeMomi]

oooh I should sub here . . .

I have never used a purchased curriculum. We use an eclectic mix of library books and I love it. : I'll come back to this after I read all the PPs

[APMomOfKimmyN-Maya]

I definitely put our library to good use. I love how we can reserve books on the computer from home and pick them up later.

[A Mom's Love]

Originally Posted by abharrington

we also keep all library books on the coffee table and our books on the shelves, so as to keep them separate and ready to return.

another added bonus...no late fees. our library does not charge them. if a book is out long enough, they will freeze your account until you return it or pay for it. gotta love that! (we can also have food and drinks anywhere except at a computer. the city polled residents for what they wanted in a library and then made it happen. i will be so sad to leave. )

Wow! What an awesome library! We also have a special spot for keeping track of library books. We keep all library books on our small bookshelf in the living room.

[milkybean]

Originally Posted by mommy68

I didn't know this could be done either. I like the library but we rarely have time to make it to the library in our county because it's so far. It's odd, however, that we are much closer to the library in the next county over. So I might see if we can get a membership there instead.

Definitely look into it. And it's possible they have a reciprocal relationship that lets you "in" for free.

I live in Tacoma WA and have a membership with the Tacoma library system. There's also a Pierce County library system...until a few months ago, they were totally separate, and you had to pay to belong to Pierce County if you lived in Tacoma (crazy!) b/c they had the Tacoma system. But now they have a reciprocal agreement, and a Tacoma resident can belong to PC libraries.

Now for me, we lived just outside of Tacoma 2 years ago, and when we moved I asked about closing the account, and they said that once you have a card there you don't have to turn it in, and I'm still welcome to check things out there.

Same goes for the King County system, when we lived closer to Seattle. I asked them about closing the account, and they said it's not necessary, that as long as I keep my address current with them, they don't mind if former residents use their library!

So ask ask ask.

Originally Posted by Britishmum

Then there's the hassle of finding books to return. We alwasy end up searching the house for one or two books at the end, and our fines in our city library are astronomical.

You have reminded me of the urgent need to clear a shelf for library books. I went away for 5 days and hubby didn't return a bunch of books, and worse, movies, and I have about $15 in fines on my account. You can't check things out if you're over $5, so this is a problem right now.

Gotta go online and pay those fines, too!

Originally Posted by abharrington

another added bonus...no late fees. our library does not charge them. if a book is out long enough, they will freeze your account until you return it or pay for it. gotta love that!

I miss that! I think it's the King County system that is/was like that. Definitely appreciated no fines.

[MissRubyandKen]

As for fines, we do make mistakes sometimes, even though we have a good system at home. Our library system has Read Off Fines days were you go and read for an hour for $8 worth of fines taken off. Pretty cool! I've recently started checking out all the resources they offer through their website, encyclopedias, novel lists, local dispatch, research databases, facts on file science, mango languages, art collections, tumble books, etc. I'm sure some of it will come in handy.

[hellyaellen]

we've just started hs-ing and so far the library is our primary resource..........

[Satori]

You guys are lucky, our library is $$. $2 for DVD for a week, .50 request fee (I heard this was going to increase) per item, .25 per day per item late fee and you don't even want to know what lost fees are When we moved 3 items got packed on accident and I couldn't find them. I got charged not only the cost of the materials but the late fee's too! We still have $50 in fines (better then the $100 we had!) so we won't be able to use the library for a while

[heket]

Originally Posted by muttix2

I search Barnes and Noble to get ideas when I don't have any. Then I order the books through the library. When I have extra money, I go to the used bookstore and buy books. But the majority comes from the library.

Ever try switching that around so that you use the library to search out books you'd rather purchase?

Originally Posted by Britishmum

I wish I could use the library more. I just find it so hard, as my 3 yo is wild in there, and I rarely get time to go alone. Life is just too busy. My older kids love it, and come out with tons of books, but I need time to browse and really concentrate. With the 3 yo that's impossible.

Then there's the hassle of finding books to return. We alwasy end up searching the house for one or two books at the end, and our fines in our city library are astronomical.

I end up buying a lot of what we need to use a lot, but with the three kids, I don't feel to bad about that, as we'll use them over and over.

Next year I plan to organize more time to go to borrow books alone, but right now, I just don't get time.

Have you tried talking to your children's librarian? She/he probably can't reduce fines, but they may be able to help you out by finding books you're looking for so you can simply pick them up. We try to help out patrons by searching a few titles and placing them on hold. Then all you'd have to do is pick them up so you wouldn't have to fuss with a toddler looking around.

Originally Posted by Satori

You guys are lucky, our library is $$. $2 for DVD for a week, .50 request fee (I heard this was going to increase) per item, .25 per day per item late fee and you don't even want to know what lost fees are When we moved 3 items got packed on accident and I couldn't find them. I got charged not only the cost of the materials but the late fee's too! We still have $50 in fines (better then the $100 we had!) so we won't be able to use the library for a while

I wish we had AV items. We also charge $0.50 for requested adult items only. We do not receive much revenue from our city and state funds are about nil. So while $0.50 may seem like an additional straw, without it we'd be lacking. As it is, my library is so poor that while I work for it and recently lost a book, I still owe the cost. In other systems, that's unheard of. If a staff member lost it, they'd erase the fine entirely.

In regards to the topic, we are currently homeschooling a kindergartner. I have a curriculum, yet I'm constantly off topic because either dd or I find something else that becomes the week's interest. So while we're not following a curriculum entirely, I am following her lead. What I find interesting is that her lead comes from our library as she loves to be read to.