February happens to be Library Lover’s Month, and we think it’s a great time to say THANK YOU to Austin Public Library for the wealth of resources you provide to our community!
Besides housing a vast collection of exciting books, the library is a special meeting place, a community hub, a place to expand our knowledge, learn new things and make new friends. And of course, we love that everything at the library is FREE!
Photo from the APL Flickr gallery
When our kiddos were little, we were so grateful for weekly storytimes. They gave us motivation to pack up that diaper bag, get out of the house and meet some friends. Storytimes provide a place for moms to connect, where the little ones can enjoy some entertainment as they practice young social skills, build their vocabulary, learn new songs, and engage in a variety of valuable learning activities. (Storytimes are offered for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, in Spanish, dual language and also sensory storytime geared toward children with special needs.)
Beyond storytimes, you’ll find book clubs for older children, Minecraft Club, LEGO Lab, Crafternoons where visitors of all ages can get hands on with art making. You can also watch movies and puppet shows, practice yoga, attend special concerts and events such as Harry Potter or Star Wars parties — and much more!
Photo from the APL Flickr gallery
Keep your eye on the Austin Public Library’s events calendar for listings of all sorts of family fun. Here’s a few of our top picks for February:
— Celebrate Feed the Birds Day @ Faulk Central Branch
Friday, Feb. 3, 10:30 a.m.
Come hear stories and songs to help celebrate birds, and make bird feeders! Storytime features stories, songs, fingerplays, rhymes, and crafts. Recommended for children aged 5 and under.
— Saturday Family Movie: The Secret Life of Pets @ Windsor Park Branch
Saturday, Feb. 4, 2 p.m.
Settle in to watch this movie about a terrier named Max who’s upended when his owner takes in Duke, a stray whom Max instantly dislikes. PG.
— Art Smart: Chinese New Year Dragon @ Willie Mae Kirk Branch
Tuesday, February 7, 6:30 p.m.
(Art Smart meets weekly on Tuesdays with different themes)
Explore different ethnic arts, art media, and techniques at this weekly family art experience for all ages and generations. Recommended for ages 3 and up.
— Bow Wow Reading Dog Visit @ North Village Branch
Thursday, February 9, 3:30 p.m.
Certified Austin Dog Alliance volunteer teams with trained therapy dogs will be waiting for kids to read stories to them. This program improves children’s reading and communication skills by employing a powerful method: reading to a dog. Recommended for ages 5 and up.
— Eat! A Feast in Four Courses: Soup & Salad @ University Hills Branch
Saturday, February 11, 12 – 2 p.m.
Sample several delicious soups and salads and then make your own mason jar dry soup mix to take home and enjoy. For adults and older children.
— Austin Ukestra Ukulele Concert @ Recycled Reads
Sunday, Feb. 12, 1 p.m.
Local group, Austin Ukestra, will give a live performance of their repertoire. All ages welcome.
— Storybook Dance Making @ Recycled Reads
Sunday, Feb. 12, 2 p.m.
Love music, dance, or reading books? What about all three at the same time? Come together for StoryBook Dance Making with your family and create a dance based on a story’s theme. This class is taught by artists of Dance Waterloo, an interdisciplinary dance collective in Austin. RSVP here. All ages, mixed-abilities and drop-ins welcome!
— Literature Live Presents: Little Peep Puppet Show @ Various Branches
Click here for showtimes & locations.
A chick is warned by the other barnyard animals never to annoy the old rooster, because without him to bring up the sun, there may be no future.
— Celebrate National Tortilla Chip Day @ Faulk Central Branch
Friday, Feb. 24, 10:30 a.m.
Come hear stories and songs about tortillas to celebrate National Tortilla Chip Day! Storytime features stories, songs, fingerplays, rhymes, and crafts. Recommended for ages 5 and up.
— Ongoing Programs at the Library:
To learn about all of the happenings for families, visit the Austin Public Library website.
Are you a library lover? Tell us why in the comments below. We’d love to hear your thoughts.
