The Homewood Public Library offers an extensive collection of opportunities with numerous events that allow members of the community to explore their interests through classes and activities every day.
They have many monthly programs, but they also offer events that change monthly.
Cat Sandler, the teen section librarian, said that events like conventions typically accumulate over 100 participants.
One of their most popular events is the teen department’s Dungeons and Dragons campaign.
The event brings in a wide variety of kids ages 12 to 18 to participate in the imaginative game.
The library also provides higher-level classes for teaching subjects like coding and Character Design 101, one of the program’s newer classes.
Sandler chooses and plans the events with her team based on what teens are interested in.
“It allows for the space for teenagers to have a space to work creatively, to go after their passion,” Sandler said.
On top of the many events for older kids, the library offers an array of opportunities for younger children as well.
Children’s Librarian, Cristina Castor, is in charge of kids’ events available for newborns up to 12-year-olds.
Many events attract kids from all over the city, resulting in large turnouts.
“For summer reading over 2000 kids signed up,” Castor said.
Younger kids in preschool and kindergarten attend storytime, where the librarians read books to them.
Another popular event the children’s department offers is a scavenger hunt where kids under 12 wander around the kid’s library searching for a prize.
A large group of participants consists of homeschooled kids from both Homewood and other surrounding counties.
They often attend the library’s homeschool events where they are taught typical school subjects like English, math, history and science.
The goal of the events is to positively impact the community and introduce kids to reading.
“These events offer an early start to literacy and an opportunity for children to foster the love of learning,” Castor said.
