Giggles, small feet running through aisles of books and children’s chatter characterize Tuesday afternoons at the Oglethorpe County Library. That was no different on March 17, when the library hosted a St. Patrick’s Day celebration, a themed twist on Tuesdays at the Library.
On a usual Tuesday, families bring children from ages 2-10 years old. More than 20 kids participated in the activities during the celebration.
The themed activities included coloring books, crafts, a drawing for a St. Patrick’s Day wreath and a scavenger hunt. Kids ran around the library to Irish St. Patrick’s themed music, while searching for a hidden leprechaun.
Once the scavenger hunt was completed, they chose a prize provided by the library.
Local moms Hannah Svetanoff and Kala McNair brought their children to the event.
“The kids have the same stuff at home; it just hits differently when we do it at the library,” McNair said. “They can color at home, but when they come to color at the library, they’re much more excited about it.”
For parents like Svetanoff and McNair, the children’s programming at the library serves as an opportunity to get their kids out of the house and involved in the community.
“I feel like it just brings the community together,” Svetanoff said. “Our kids know kids, and then we meet the parents.”
Svetanoff and McNair met at the library, and each bring their children multiple times a week. McNair has been coming to the library for more than eight years.
“We’ve met a good bit of people over the years coming (to the library) that (the kids) are now in school with,” McNair said.
For the library staff, it means a full house and an opportunity for more community involvement, promoting the library as a place for connection.
“This is our favorite time of the day,” said Nicole Hensley, the branch manager. “When the library is full, and loud and a little crazy, we’re having a good time.”
Hensley and Beth Akins, the library children’s program specialist, plan the events. They include activities for various age groups, with the goal of bringing more kids into the library and sending more people home with books.
“While they’re here, usually they pick up a book or two,” Hensley said. “Maybe they wouldn’t have stopped otherwise during the week to do that.”