Libraries in NRW

Imagine a place full of adventure, where your children can immerse themselves in magical worlds, program robots and learn to read through play - all for free! Welcome to the library of today.

The days when libraries were quiet halls for book nerds are long gone. In North Rhine-Westphalia, there are over 300 towns and municipalities with library locations that see themselves as places of learning, culture and encounter for all generations - especially for families and children. They are open to everyone and worth a visit at any time.

Libraries today have long been more than just long shelves full of books and documents. They offer a wide range of media. A little boy sits deeply absorbed in a reading cave with a picture book. Children with headphones type intently on a tablet and compose their own pieces of music. Teenagers conquer new game worlds in the gaming area. And fathers with chunky VR goggles discover museums around the world using virtual reality. When was the last time you were in your city's library?

What families can expect there:

• In addition to a large selection of books, digital media such as Tonies, Tiptoi pens, interactive tablets and audio books
• Family films, CDs, magazines, boxes for school projects
• Child-friendly adventure rooms with play carpets, reading caves, beanbags and picture book walls
• Lending of games, robotics kits, boxes of materials and everyday objects
• Parent-child activities such as craft sessions, picture book cinemas, workshops, reading aloud activities or language cafés
• Holiday programs and creative hands-on activities, e.g. painting, programming or learning to read
• . for painting, programming or exploring
• Free Wi-Fi, research stations with internet access and digital devices such as e-book readers and learning computers are available in many places.
• Media education advice for parents, for example on media use, screen time, the internet or growing up multilingual
• Courses and workshops on new technologies and innovative forms of media invite curious people of all ages to learn and try things out together

The special plus: Use is free or very cheap in most cities. This makes libraries a valuable experience, especially for families on a budget.

Imagine taking your child to a place that is full of adventure and where imagination comes to life. Libraries offer exactly that and much more:

• Immerse yourself in strange worlds: At the library, your children can travel to magical worlds, meet dragons, explore outer space or slip into the role of their heroes and heroines.
• Libraries often offer exciting hands-on activities, read-aloud sessions, reading nights or digital rallies that turn reading into an adventure. This quickly turns a rainy afternoon into an exciting experience.
• The earlier your child comes into contact with stories, the more their sense of language, vocabulary, imagination and ability to express themselves are encouraged - a valuable support for success at school.
• Your child learns along the way without even realizing it - simply through the playful approach and the joy of the stories.
• Browsing, reading and playing together during a visit to the library creates closeness and unforgettable moments. This gives your child the gift of undivided attention and time, without any stress or high costs.
• Instead of constantly buying new books or expensive games, you will find a huge selection to borrow from the library free of charge. This is easy on the household budget and environmentally friendly. At the same time, your child learns that sharing and reusing is useful and sustainable.

Children are reading less and less these days, but reading, as well as the use of certain media, is immensely important for their development and success at school. As parents, you can also strengthen your children's language development by reading to them. The libraries in North Rhine-Westphalia offer the best conditions for this with many playful and interactive offers.

• Just visit a library near you with your child and let yourself be surprised at what there is to discover.
• Give your child their own library card. This makes them proud and independent.
• Let your child essentially choose for themselves which library services they would like to use. This will encourage a spirit of discovery and find out what your child likes.
• Check your library's website for events for children - most locations have events for children and young people such as reading nights, reading clubs, reading bingo, book rallies and many other creative events that are also suitable for organizing a children's birthday party.
• Plan one regular library day per month - a highlight that all family members can look forward to.