Take Your Child to The Library - Saturday

The will join more than 100 libraries across the state in presenting the first annual Take Your Child to the Library Day this Saturday, Feb. 4. The movement, which aims to make families aware of all their local libraries have to offer, started with two Waterford librarians and has spread to 12 states.

“This highlights how important it is for a child to be in the habit of going to the library at a young age. We provide socialization programs, music, arts and crafts, books, videos, computer,” said Vida Lashgari, Farmington children’s librarian. “We have a lot to offer and some people aren’t as aware as we’d like them to be.”

Farmington Library has a wealth of programs for all ages – including special activities for infants and parents, storytimes and crafts for preschoolers, book groups, tea parties and crafts for older children and special groups for tweens. Teens have their own department upstairs, with drop-in movies, activities and hangout times.

Saturday’s activities will start with Daddy and Me at 10:30 a.m. The recurring program brings dads and babies up to age 3 together for a structured time of music and movement, a story and socialization for both babies and dads.

“We guide the dads on what to do and they seem to like it,” said Vida Lashgari, children’s librarian. “They talk about the game and since it’s officially for dads, mom gets a couple of hours off.”

In the afternoon, the library will celebrate the Chinese New Year with music and theater performances by local children and artists. Green Tea, Beijing Gardens and Yume are donating food and Lashgari said, there will be fortune cookies for everyone. Last year’s performance included dozens of performances that amazed a crowd of about 150 people.

If the little ones get restless during the performance, they can wander back into the children’s department and ride Tinker, a mechanical pony the library recently welcomed. Rides are offered during set times.

“This is a good excuse to invite people in,” Lashgari said.