All the books in Canberra

We do like libraries. And I really enjoy seeing different libraries. For this reason I have been to most of the libraries in the Australian Capital Territory (7 out of 9). But I figured it was time to visit all of them. And since it is Summer holidays I thought I could make it more exciting if we went to all of them in a single day. I ran the idea by Aurora and she was very enthusiastic. And so we started scheming like nerdy thieves about how we could make it happen and if it was feasible and what it was we wanted to do at each library. I told Tova our plan and she did not share Aurora's enthusiasm. It went like this: Tamar: Tova we are going to see all the libraries in one day! Tova: Aww do we have to? Tamar: But Tova I will read you a book in every single library and you like books! Aurora: Yeah thats nine books! Tova: Nine is not that much 25 would be a lot of books. Ahh the joys of parenting. 

There are nine libraries spread out over the 2,500 square kilometers that is ACT. Well 10 if you count the Heritage library but given that the heritage library is contained within another library we didn't count it. The libraries are open from 10am to 530pm. Except Sophia had gymnastics at 4pm. Aurora eagerly figured out the math of how long that gave us at each library. One point for me. So thirty minutes at each library with 15 minutes of travel time between each library. If you are sharp you've already figured out that that is only eight libraries before gymnastics, leaving the last (our very own frequently visited Kingston library which is a 5 minute walk from our home) as the last hurrah. 

I won't say that it was all fun and games. By the first library we already discovered a flaw in our plan. While fifteen minutes travel time is tight it didn't really account for the amount of time it takes the children to exit and then return to the car. Nor did it take into account finding parking. Nor did it take into account the fact that some of the drives were more like 25 minutes. Nor did it take into account the fact that once happily settled in a library there is about 10 minutes of cajoling to convince children to leave. So sticking to the schedule and keeping up Tovas enthusiasm was quite a push for the first few stops. Surprisingly, it all got a lot smoother after the first few libraries once the kids got the hang of what was going on and we managed to stick to the schedule Aurora made for us. 

So what exactly did we do in each library? We explored the outside then went inside and headed straight for the kids section. I read a book to the kids and then they carried on reading or running around screaming while I meandered around the library and checked out any books thrust into my hands. Then we all headed back to the car where Aurora somehow simultaneously navigated us to the next library while also rating the library we just visited on 10 different parameters. We would say what we were rating count to three yell out our score and then take the average. Then we would make each member in the car make a personal statement about the library. Another point for me getting Aurora to enjoy learning how to conduct research. 

So what did we learn from these results? Mostly that we like books a lot. Though we already knew that. But I did learn that my children don't really seem to care too much what library they are in so long as the library has books. If the library also has coloring all the better. If the librarians don't say anything while they pretend that the library is a playground even better. 

Tovas favorite part of the day was playing with Zadie. Point for me again!

Here is a run down of our notes and results which I find really funny.

Kippax 8.1

S: Good. I liked the books

To: It was good.

Z: I baby book library and Aurora read it

Ta: A very cozy place to be

A: Good book display

Belconnen 7.0

S: The books were really really good.

To: The books were so so good.

Z: I baby book

Ta: It had lots of windows but the empty space made Z and T scream

A: Table book display was good and chairs were comfy.

Gunghalin 8.9 THE CLEAR WINNER

S: It wasn't very busy

To: I liked it.

Z: I no baby book.

Ta: That was my favorite library (Aurora refused to write all my praise).

A: It was very spacious and the building was nice

Dickson 7.9

S: I liked it it had coloring.

To: I liked the coloring.

Z: I color.

Ta: Comfort in familiarity.

A: Cozy, spacious outside, cute kids area

Civic 7.9

S: It was not that big and it was hard to choose books

To: It was hard to choose books 

Z: Im not sleeping.

Ta: It has a great location and really good selection of adult books

A: They could have made the kids book selection better

Erindale 8.2

To: It was very good and I liked it 

S: It had lots of books and coloring.

Z: Mama read baby book.

Ta: It had a nice craft community and pretty decorations.

A: The knitting club made cool things and the books were good.

Tuggeranong: 8.1

To: It was good. My favorite part was playing with Zadie and Sophia.

S: I liked it because there were horses (chairs they pretended were horses anyhow)

Z: Baby books and horses/

Ta: I really liked the view of the lake.

A: The view and the color book display.

Woden: 7.6

S: I like dit but it wasn't as good as the last one.

To: I liked it. My favorite part was playing with Sophia and Zadie. 

Z: Tova did story time.

Ta: The books.

Z: The books.

Kingston 7.9

S: I like it. It has a lot of books except it is little.

To: There is a little kids area and nice little books.

Z: Yeah.

Ta: Such an appreciated location and great use of a small space.

A: Book selection is good and its cute.

The library explorers 

This is how engaged she looked at the first of nine libraries

Kids section of the winning library

It was hot

Doing the things that one is supposed to do in a library

Airing of the library crafter quilts

Zadie is looking too big.

Tova led a library yoga session