Libraries offer more than books [via Rapid City Journal]

South Dakota Library Week, which coincides with national Library Week, is a time set aside to promote literacy and highlight the important role libraries play in their communities.

Linda Daugaard – the state’s “first lady” and a former school librarian – visited Rapid City this week to tout the expanding services available at public libraries.

She noted that children tend to lose interest in reading between the third and fifth grades, a time when parents and educators should make an effort to maintain their interest in books.

Parents also should limit the time children of all ages spend playing video games, texting friends, and social networking, Daugaard said.

“Parents need to set limits and unplug their kids,” she said.

Despite the advance of internet technology and the growing use of personal computers, the number of books checked out at public libraries throughout the state is on the rise. … [read the rest at Rapid City Journal]