I just love and adore this library! I first moved to MA with a newborn and a 4 year old. Library story time sounded like a great activity, but it just seemed so complicated at some other libraries. You needed to sign up in advance, there were restrictions on age - it just all seemed to complicated for my sleep deprived brain. Then I stumbled onto the Bacon Free website. It was so welcoming! Story hour at 10am on Wed & Fri - anyone welcome to show up. Come one come all! Sometimes there are 2 kids, sometimes there are 20. But the staff always handle it with aplomb.
Now here' s the thing I love best about this library. It's almost like my little secret. Because it's small (all in one big room) the adult books are right there near the kids books and play area. Anyone with small children knows what a hassle it is to take your kids to the adult book section. What's the first thing a toddler is going to do? Pull books off the shelves, run and hide behind the shelves and yell loudly. Not really acceptable library behavior. Besides which, chances are while you're cleaning up the books they pulled off the shelves they'll pull another one off and rip the pages. OK my kids have never done that in a library, but I dread it!
However at the Bacon Free library this does not need to occur! Because while your children are happily listening to the story/doing some coloring or art project/playing with toys you can be looking at books to take out for your own self! It's magical! No more need to pay $20 for new releases - they'll probably have them! And if they don't they'll reserve them for you.
Other great thing about a small library is you can get to know the staff (and they're all very friendly). And they can answer questions. Like when you say ""I was listening to this book review the other day. It was something about migrant workers in China, but I don't remember who it was by."" And they reply with the book name and reserve it for you. Or when you ask for that book that was really popular about zombies, but you can't remember anything else. Chances are they 'll know what you're talking about! And they can also recommend other books you might enjoy.
They have other fun programs like Art for All. Once a month on Friday afternoons they have some kind of art project. And everyone is invited! And we've had story time at the Natick Organic Farm, book authors come to talk and other fun things.
And I haven't even mentioned how cool the building is. It was built in 1860 (I believe) and is a fabulous historic building.
But enough from me - just come on down and try it out!
(I do apologize that citysearch removes my paragraph breaks. It does make it hard to read. They must not expect people who are as long winded as me!)
Pros: Take your kids and get some books for YOU too!
Cons: no disabled access
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