It’s no surprise to longtime users of Airdrie Public Library (APL) that patrons can borrow more than just books.
At the library, books are just the beginning of the literacy journey.
We also have the largest collection of publicly available DVDs and Blu-rays in the city as well as dozens of computer games for a variety of popular platforms.
However, there are a few hidden gems that don’t quite have the same glamour as books and visual media, but are still pretty awesome.
For instance, we have an Apple Multimedia Station in the Makerspace loaded with Creative Cloud, which includes Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Audition, Premiere Pro and much more.
Then there are our Storytime Kits that you’ll find in the Children’s Area. These wonderful, zippered packets are for preschoolers and are stuffed with themed material such as Sewing, Parrots, Beading, Sushi, and much more.
Check them out just like you would our preschool and school-aged backpacks.
Speaking of which, we recently added Métis and Treaty 7 school-age backpacks, which help your child discover about the region’s First Peoples through books and themed toys.
Another item in our collection that rarely gets talked about but continues to be popular with patrons is the Ozobot coding robot kits. These nifty kits engage your child’s creativity, imagination, and curiosity.
Tucked away in the corner by our children’s computers you’ll find a wonderful collection of audio books for children. Perfect for those long drives or even bedtime, you can find a wide range of stories from The Boxcar Children to Harry Potter to the Dork Diaries.
The final hidden gem at APL – for this column anyway – is our collection of children’s books in multiple languages. You can find preschool-aged stories in French, Spanish, Punjabi, Tagalog, and in a variety of Indigenous languages.
For more information on APL’s programs, collections, and services, visit airdriepubliclibrary.ca
