Travel Packs now available

Do you start your family trips dreading hearing those ubiquitous words, “Are we there yet?” I must admit, even as an adult after four hours in the car, I too, find myself asking the same question. With analysts predicting that Americans will be driving more this summer it is a good time visit your local library to see what materials are available to make road trips more enjoyable for the whole family.

Using funds from a grant received from the Finger Lakes Library System (FLLS), the Lang Memorial Library has developed Travel Packs. These colorful backpacks were developed by children's librarian, Kitrina Hall-Barnes and will make travel time fun and educational at the same time. Each pack is age and interest oriented so anyone wanting to borrow a pack is encouraged to contact the library a week prior to the pick-up date so
that the pack can be tailored to your child's interests and reading level. Packs may include a recorded book (either tape or CD), a Klutz travel survival kit, map, books, movie, activity sheets, travel game, and even a snack. Children may also use the packs as
credit toward the completion of the summer reading program, “Get Creative @ Your Library.” The packs will be available for loan by July.

But what about teen and adult patrons? The popularity of recorded books continues to grow in all age groups. To help fill those needs, FLLS and its member libraries offer Overdirve audio book download service allowing patrons to download books to home computer for transfer to CDs or MP3 players. If a patron has trouble transferring files to their devices at home, the Lang Memorial Library has a public computer dedicated to
downloading recorded books and music from the FLLS web site. With just a few clicks of the mouse, you can transfer a book to your MP3 player in just a few minutes.

While looking for information about recorded books on the Web I recently discovered instructions on how to create your own recorded book using Powerpoint or similar software designed for creating presentations. This would be a great way to remember your trip, preserve a special family event, or record history. The instructions can be found on the web at: http://atto.buffalo.edu/registered/Tutorials/talkingBooks/powerpoint.php. Patrons are welcome to use the library's public computers to create a truly meaningful and lasting remembrance.

Your local library can make your travel easier with recorded books, with maps, sightseeing and campground guides, and even books on traveling with pets. So next time you plan your get-a-way, schedule a trip to your local library and make getting there half the fun.