I'm on a challenge this year to visit as many libraries in Westchester County as I can, and I'm taking Macaroni KID readers along with me! A good challenge always motivates me, and I just love a list to check off. After the holidays I found that we were spending many of the post-preschool hours at the house and the constant negotiations over the TV were wearing on me. Westchester County has such a wonderful network of library resources and since we've lived in the area and found our favorites, we've only rarely ventured outside of our neighborhood. My daughter has been on a bit of a nap strike and driving is one of the sure bet ways to get some sleep in for her, so hopping in the car and driving to some of the outer reaches of the county has been the perfect solution.
On our second official library stop, we again headed north on 100, this time to Somers. I had been to Reis Park previously, but had not made the connection that the library was also in the same spot. What a win! My kiddos are in on the fun of our library challenge and the visit to Somers Library sparked great discussion on the way home.
Here's what we loved:
1. Friendly Staff: The children's librarian on this particular Thursday was a gem! She welcomed our groggy, crying crowd of three littles with a cheerful voice, little stories, and offers of assistance. And the other staff members were so kind as not to stare or admonish when my daughter repeatedly ran out of the children's room and into the stacks. Public parenting can be nerve-wracking and it's hard to know how children will be received in a space. I was relieved to find that the Somers Library was a comfortable space for everyone. The children's librarian also pointed out the many library programs and the list was extensive for all age groups. She was incredibly helpful and a true resource for community members, and nearby visitors like ourselves!
2.STEM Kits: I am loving seeing these kits in so many places these days, and the kits at the Somers Library were enviable. These Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics (STEAM) bundles contained a variety of materials designed to engage children and their families around a given topic. The each included books, games, and varied activities to teach more about the theme and the collection was impressive. I was particularly interested in the Social and Emotional pack. This one included a board book, The Color Monster, by Anna Llenas that taught into different feelings and captured the attention of both my toddler and preschooler. Cooperative games and learning dice were also a part of this set. Stem Kits can be taken home and returned to the Childrens' Room or used on site.
3. Location, Location, Location: The Somers Library is quite a destination with one of the county's best playgrounds also located on the same grounds of Reis Park. In warm weather months, there is also a snack bar. The 82-acre park is also home to athletic fields, basketball courts court, tennis courts, fitness and nature trails, picnic pavilion and facilities, performance stage, and comfort stations.
The Children's Room also had puzzles, a large collection of games, two computers with learning programs, and comfortable seating. It's a place we are looking forward to going back to - we'll make it a point to tie in a children's program with a fair-weather playground day next time. Snag our Library Challenge Checklist here and join in on the fun! Tag @mackidchappaqua to share with others on IG, too!
Somers Library Details:
Website: Somers Library
Phone: (914) 232-5717
Address: Route 139 & Reis Park
Somers, NY 10589
Email: info@somerslibrary.org
Find more family fun with Macaroni KID Armonk - Chappaqua - Mount Kisco - Pleasantville
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