If you are looking for a fun and free activity for your friends or family, check out Take Your Child to the Library Day on Saturday, Feb. 1.

Take Your Child to the Library Day is a special day to play, discover, make friends and have fun at all Humboldt County Public Library locations. Now in its 14th year, this event is the perfect opportunity for kids to sign up for a library card and have fun while parents and caregivers explore everything their local library has to offer.  Fun activities promoting early literacy including storytimes and crafts for families to enjoy together will be happening at all Humboldt County library locations and the Bookmobile will be celebrating the entire month of February.

Event Highlights

All library locations will be honoring the birthday and legacy of Pat Smith, who served as the Humboldt County Public Library’s first Children’s Outreach Coordinator, with Smith’s Memorial Play Collection. These play sets include science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) toys like Tegu blocks, magna-tiles, connectagons, trace and draw projectors, a scarf wind tunnel, KEVA planks, a veterinary play set and so much more. Library visitors at all branches will be able to enjoy hours of intergenerational open-ended play with these play sets, thanks to Smith’s family who set up a memorial fund in her honor to purchase this collection in 2017.

In celebration of Take Your Child to the Library Day, the Humboldt County Public Library is launching the Community Storytime Leader project, an early literacy initiative designed to empower community members as library advocates and promote reading confidence. The project also includes the purchase of inclusive books for all library branches. Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Arcata Sunrise, First 5 Humboldt and the Humboldt Literacy Project, this initiative will provide bookbags available for checkout at all library branches, along with curated booklists featuring hundreds of storytime favorites. A kickoff event will take place in the Eureka Library Children’s Room at 1 p.m., offering a photo opportunity and more details about the program.

Take Your Child to the Library Day highlights the incredible free resources available at your local library, from books and early literacy storytimes to technology, homework help, online tools and more. The Humbolt County Public Library is here to help families build a strong foundation of literacy and a lifelong love of learning - all in a fun, safe and welcoming space. There is truly something for everyone at the library.

Please visit humlib.org to learn more about the Humboldt County Public Library and its programs, find a library branch or Bookmobile location near you, check out the library’s growing list of events and sign up for a library card. For more information, please visit your local library, the Bookmobile or call 707-269-1915.

About the Humboldt County Public Library

The Humboldt County Library strengthens the community by educating, inspiring and connecting people. The library’s vision is to help create and support a welcoming, healthy and prosperous community where there are abundant opportunities for learning and creativity. For more information about the Humboldt County Public Library, please visit humlib.org.