[Updated 9/9/19] Besides all of the (many) benefits of literacy your child gains from attending the library regularly, the Sara Hightower Library in Rome has a plethora of perks waiting to be discovered. Take a look at the benefits you have just by holding a library card (which is FREE).
September Challenge
“Banned Book Week is September 22-28, and we will be celebrating all month long! Along with the ‘I got caught reading a banned book’ mugshot opportunity, we also have a scavenger hunt around our department. Stop by to participate in one or both of these fun activities!” – Rome-Floyd County Library Children & Young Adult Facebook Page
Lego Saturdays
Every Saturday during the summer, and second Saturdays during the school year from 11am-12:30pm, enjoy building with Lego’s and other Lego lovers. Limited space.
Storytime
During the school year is every Tuesday at both 10 AND 11 am for 30 minutes. Take your little one to see puppets, hear stories, and see puppets tell stories! Each week has a different theme, and I love that Ms. Jeanne will often suggest other books you can check out on the theme. Starts Oct. 1st!
Zoo Atlanta (Atlanta)
Perhaps the most widely know and popular advantage you have with your library card is admission for 4 to Zoo Atlanta. This is available once per household every year ( and is up to a $100 value). Upon returning the DVD, you will receive a receipt required for admission and to be used 21 days from the receipt date. More details here.
*Note: Each Georgia library only has one Zoo DVD, so it is not easy to get a hold of. We recommend stopping in often to see if it is available. The Sara Hightower Library has a designated holder for it behind the circulation desk that prints the due date if it is unavailable.
Center for Puppetry Arts (Atlanta)
25% off an All Inclusive Ticket (includes puppet show, make a puppet workshop, and museum exhibit entrance. Typically $20) OR Admission for 4 to museum exhibit.
The Center for Puppetry Arts museum exhibit features everything from puppets throughout history to an extensive Jim Henson collection. The Family Series Performances presents a wide variety of family fun, including innovative adaptations of classic stories and dynamic new works by the Center’s company as well as other American and international artists.
*Note: Most puppet show performances are kid-friendly, but at least 45 minutes, so not for children who can’t sit still (unfortunately, I know from experience).
Atlanta Hawks Ticket
Earn one ticket per child (Grade K-12) with the purchase of adult ticket by logging at least 5 books read, then registering online here before September 2, 2019.
Note: Bookmarks with details are available in the children’s section. In order to receive tickets together, all children in the same household must register together.
Atlanta Braves Ticket
The program rewards students in grades K-12 throughout the state of Georgia with a FREE Braves ticket for reading a book about sports (suggestions listed in the link above) and completing an online activity.
Georgia State Parks Pass
Up to 4 visitors to any Georgia State Parks and Recreation or Historic Sites. ($5 value) The library has a few passes that may be checked out at any given time.
Sites in Northwest Georgia:
- Amicalola Falls
- Cloudland Canyon
- Etowah Indian Mounds
- James H. Floyd
- New Echota
- Pickett’s Mill Battlefield
- Red Top Mountain
- Rocky Mountain Recreation Area
*Note: In addition to the State Park Pass, you may also check out a backpack with useful items such as binoculars and bird and tree guides.
Carlos Museum on Emory Campus (Atlanta)
General admission for up to 6 people (not valid for events). Normally $8/adult or $6/senior, student, or child.
The museum holds one of the most comprehensive collections in the region with artwork from ancient Egypt, Nubia, and the Near East; Greece and Rome; the Americas; Africa; and Asia as well as a collection of works on paper from the Renaissance to the present.
*Note: If I’m being honest, the artwork in this museum, though beautiful and artistic, could be a little creepy for younger children. There are plenty of children activities, but use discretion.
Chattahoochee Nature Center (Roswell, GA)
Admission for four (kids free) all day to the Chattahoochee Nature Center. Check pass out at circulation desk. Details here.
Enjoy picnicking, hiking trails, family fun days, aviaries with wild birds, concerts, and plenty of activities for all ages. CNC is open seven days a week, year-round.
*Note: During summer months, CNC’s popular Butterfly Encounter is open every day, allowing guests to walk among hundreds of butterflies.
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Go Fish Education Center (Perry, GA)
Admission for a family. If you’re heading down south, stop at the Go Fish Education Center to take a fun interactive look at Georgia’s diverse aquatic wildlife and natural habitats.
Audiobooks and Digital Magazines
RB Digital provides you with a whole online library of audiobooks, magazines, independent film streaming, and Artistworks video-based art and music instruction. App available right on your phone. You want to be a part of this!
*If you are a busy parent who used to enjoy reading, but haven’t had time lately, download the RB Digital app on your phone to have easy (and free) access to several popular magazines and audio books. Though the selection of audio books is not huge, it’s a great way to get back into reading!
Learn a New Language with Mango
Whether you’d like to learn another language for yourself or your kids, Mango’s award-winning technology can make it easy and fun. Sign in with your library card for free access.
Genealogy and Local History
Bring history to life as you search for local people, family members, and information in past public records.
Movies
With our library’s amazing selection of DVD and Blue Rays, you may as well cancel your cable subscription. Just be sure to get your weekend movies before Friday or Sunday, as the library is closed.
Books, of course
The Sara Hightower library already houses a huge variety of awesome books available for checkout, but did you know you can request anything they don’t have that is available within the regional system and have it sent to your local library? If it’s on the computer system, it’s available to you (there are some exceptions, but it will say so on the website if that is the case).
If you’ve got a summer road trip planned, look into audiobook CD’s for easy, educational entertainment for your kids.
Library Games
My friend Megan from The Many Little Joys has put together these awesome activities you and your children can do on your own time at the library. Check them out:
Library Scavenger Hunt
Library Scavenger Hunt Part 2: Bingo
Turn a normal library trip into a treasure hunt adventure your kids will love using this free printable library scavenger hunt BINGO game.
Learn, Learn, Learn!
My last little secret is to utilize the Juvenile Non-fiction section for summer (or year-round) learning. Each time I walk through the aisles, I see possibilities to teach my children. The books for kids are simple, direct, and include pictures. It’s a great foundation for kids to start learning. Possible topics (and reference #’s) include:
- General Science (500)
- Math & Money (513)
- Weather (551)
- Space/Sun (523)
- Animals and Habitats (591)
- Engineering and Mechanics (620s)
- Human Body and How it Works (612)
- Music (781)
- Physics (530)
- Maps/Atlas (912)
- Geography and Places (many of the 900’s)
- Plus SO MUCH MORE
Where you can find topics with the Dewey Decimal System:
So head on over to take advantage of all of the benefits your library can offer you!
Sara Hightower Regional Library – Rome Branch
205 Riverside Pkwy
Rome, GA 30161
Monday – Thursday: 8:30am – 8:30pm
Friday & Sunday: Closed
Saturday: 10am – 5pm
Summer Reading Details (Coming Spring 2020!)
Kids Summer Reading Program and Summer Fun
Movies, games, and prizes galore; the library has something for YOU this summer!
With chances to win food and fun prizes like tickets to Skater Zone and even the Rome Braves, you don’t want to miss out on Summer Reading Fun. This year, the READsquared app makes it even more convenient to track points.
How it works:
- Go to shrls.readsquared.com and register yourself for an account first, then register each child for their own account. If you’d like to track using the new app, download it to your phone. (I’m not sure if you can register using only the app, but you’re welcome to try)
- Earn points by:
- Keep track of your child’s reading time and/or books (depending on your child’s age) and enter it in for each child under “enter activity” (I usually do it about weekly).
- Attending fun library story times, events, and movies (listed below). Look out for the “code” word and enter it on your app or computer. Be sure to do it under each child if you have more than one participating.
- Completing a scavenger hunt around Rome to search for planets (placed in windows of the secret locations to be seen from outside). Enter the planet names under “missions” on the website or app.
- Contests: coloring contest, creative writing, designing a “Spaceship” using recyclable material, and a “guess how many” located at the library.
- Each time your child reaches a new point level, you will be notified via email. Head to the library to pick up your prizes and enjoy!
*For updated information, see the Rome Floyd County Library Children and Young Adult Facebook Page
