Well, actually now you can get it as a key chain card as well. I am talking about a library card. Do you and your children have library cards at the Palmyra Kings Daughters Free Library? You should. It is really the best bargain a family can have for entertainment and education. First of all, library cards are free! Second, the library today is so easy to use from the comfort of your own home. Third, with your library card you have access to four counties of libraries, forty-nine branches in all, through the Pioneer Library System (PLS). Unlike the Monroe County library system, there are no fees for having holds placed on materials and sent to the Palmyra branch for your convenience.

Visit the PLS OWWL Access Site and see what resources are available to you. I personally love to peruse the book lists they have on the home page. The reviews and suggestions have helped me find some truly terrific books and websites.

One fantastic resource is the Books Plus Boxes.
"Imagine being able to borrow a box that contains books, an activity folder, puzzles, audio and video cassettes, educational games, puppets, and other "touchables" centering on a theme. Books Plus Boxes are suitable for families, child care providers, homeschoolers, youth group, grandparents, etc. Books Plus Boxes may be borrowed through your local public library from Outreach Services at the Pioneer Library System. Two types of Books Plus Boxes are available, those for preschoolers and those for all ages and family groups." - PLS website

Books Plus Boxes
Preschool Boxes 1,2,3 A,B,C All About Me Circus Colors Community Helpers Construction Farm Animals Fun with Science Insects & Butterflies Let's Go For A Ride Let's Go Shopping Make Believe Making Music Oh, Boy! Babies Read to Me Seasons Shapes & Sizes What Do We Eat? Zoo Animals	Boxes for All Ages and Family Groups Animals Art & Illustrators Backyard Fun Celebrations Dinosaurs Disney Creations Families Feelings Furry Friends Geography Keeping Fit Legends, Myths & Tales Oceans and Seas Other Countries/Other Cultures Reptiles and Amphibians Rocks and minerals Silly Stuff What's In Space? When I Grow Up Wild West

The library also has a collection of Reminiscing Boxes available for checkout.
"Designed for intergenerational use, Reminiscing Boxes contain books, puzzles, "touchables", cassettes etc. There is much in each box for seniors to share, whether with each other or youth who want to build a better future on the foundation of the past. Reminiscing Boxes may be borrowed for a two week loan period through your local public library from the Outreach Services Department at the Pioneer Library System." - PLS website

Reminiscing Boxes
Attic Treasures Automobiles Canal Towns Crafts Dolls Fashion Games Golden Oldies Good Old Days Houses Immigration Livingston County History Melodies Memories Old Stuff One Room School Ontario County History	Oral History Playthings Remembering Sports Storytelling Teddy Bears Thingamijigs This 'n That Toys Trains Transportation Walt Disney Wayne County History Whatsits Woodcarving Woodworking Wyoming County History

For me, the best invention yet is the ability to access the entire collection from my home computer. I can put in the subject of choice and get back a substantial list of materials. The site shows the book cover on the screen. Even though we are told not to judge books by their covers, I can tell a lot by the picture especially if it is a children's book. I love that once I find an interesting book I can click a link and get all the book titles from the same series. I bring library books into the classroom all the time to supplement my classroom collection and units of study.

As a parent, I enhance my children's education with books from the library. I get everything I can find on a subject they are studying in school; picture books, chapter books, movies, DVDs, songs, anything that will add to their learning and mine. I get books that are for them to read independently and other titles for me to read aloud at bedtime. We learn together as a family.

I know some people are apprehensive about using the library for fear of overdue or lost books. Again, the computer comes to the rescue. I average about 60 checked out books per week between the OWWL system and Monroe County's LIBRAweb system and I would surely rack up huge bills if it wasn't for my handy laptop. I can check in daily to view the list of books I have out. I can also renew online (three times through OWWL, only once through LIBRAweb - six weeks total for both). Being able to check in all the time helps me track down books that are under one of my son's beds or misplaced on a shelf at school.

I could go on and on about the value of the library. Our library isn't even a public library. It is privately run for our use and enjoyment. What a wonderful resource we have in our community and every member of Palmyra should take advantage of it.