I have always loved to read.
According to my Goodreads app, last year I read 77 books.
My kids also love to read, so one of our favorite places is the library!
The library is one of the few remaining places where you can go without spending any money, which is a pretty amazing thing.
Fargo has many libraries to choose from, but our library of choice is the Fargo Public Library, specifically the Dr. James Carlson branch.
My family has taken advantage of so many programs and amenities the library has to offer throughout the years. Here’s what we enjoy:
Fargo Public Library Favorites
The Libby App
This is my absolute favorite app on my phone. With Libby, you can link your library card to their online library where you can check out books or magazines to read on your phone or Kindle device.
Some popular books can have a long wait, but I like to maximize the amount of “holds” I can place at any given time so that usually I always have something available. You can also filter by “available now,” and it will show you books you can check out immediately.
I have read countless books on Libby and I cannot imagine how much money I have saved by using this versus purchasing all of the books I have read.
If you don’t have a Kindle, give reading on your phone a try! I personally love it because if I have a few minutes to wait at an appointment, or if I’m traveling, I always have my phone on me.
Reading on Libby is a better way to spend my time than scrolling on social media (I’m guilty of this most of the time!).
1,000 Books Before Kindergarten
This is a program put on by all the local public libraries that my son is currently participating in.
We keep track of the books he reads, and for every 100, we bring the sheet back to the library and he gets a sticker to celebrate the accomplishment. He also gets to pick out a free book to bring home for each 100 completed (although the program at each library may vary a bit).
We are currently on book 800 out of 1,000!
Books
Obviously, you can check out books at the library. However, did you know that you can actually request that the library purchase a certain book if they don’t have it in their current catalog?
One of my favorite areas to look for books is the “Lucky You” shelf near the front of the James Carlson library. This is where I have found new releases from popular authors. You are able to check these books out only for one week at a time. I have found several books in this section that I was about to go and buy, which has saved me a ton of money!
More Than Books
The library has so many more things that you can check out besides books. My kids love puzzles, and our library has a large collection of puzzles that you can check out.
They have puzzles that are very kid-friendly and some that have over 1,000 pieces — something for everyone!
The library also has video games that you can check out for various systems, which my husband enjoys taking advantage of.
When my kids were younger, they loved the different topic totes that they were able to check out. Each tote was labeled with a different topic, such as “animals” or various holidays. The tote contained about 10 different books relating to that topic, as well as some instructions for a craft that you could do relating to the topic.
A library card is an amazing thing to have! If you have not been to the library in a while, go check out what they have to offer!
And if you need some reading inspiration, here are a few of my recent favorites:
- The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
- Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan
- Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
- Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty
- Just for the Summer by Abby Jiminez
