Meredith Sires is a Children’s Librarian with the Los Angeles Public Library, a parent to two young kids, and an LA native.
Where there is parent chatter about what to do with young children in Los Angeles, there’s almost always someone singing the praises of the local library. A welcoming space for kids that offers free activities and a way to replenish your shelves when your toddler urgently needs more books about planes, trains, and anything else that goes? Yes, please.
I am a children’s librarian for the Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL), and the parent of two little ones, so I know firsthand just how vital libraries are for families. Each week at storytime, I see connections form in real time. Little ones build early literacy skills and school readiness, while their grown-ups bond over milestones like starting solids or dropping a nap. We love to see it. And we love sharing the many ways the library can support babies and their grown-ups, both in our branches and out in the world.
In this edition of Backseat Babies, I’m highlighting some lesser-known library resources for parents and caregivers–all free with a library card.
Book Bundles: Did you know you can request a curated selection of books for your child? Simply submit the form with your child’s age, theme, and pick-up location, and a library staff member will thoughtfully pull five surprise titles just for you. You can even add comments, like requesting sturdy board books without flaps (a must during my baby’s enthusiastic tearing phase).
LA PLay Kits: One of the cool ways the Library supports play (one of the five key early literacy practices) is by lending toys paired with books. Find the nearest branch that offers play kits, browse the selection like puzzles, trucks, pretend-play props, and borrow them for a week at a time. It’s a wonderful way to rotate toys at home without adding clutter, and to discover new ways to play together.
Explore LA: If you’re a subscriber to this newsletter, you likely have a running list of cultural institutions you’d like to visit with your little one. Check that list with Explore LA, which offers free or discounted tickets to Los Angeles Public Library card holders. New tickets are released on the first of each month, so mark your calendar now and take your pick from sites like the Natural History Museum or The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures.
California State Library Parks Pass: Whether you’re seeking a superbloom or suiting up for a beach day, your library card can help. Borrow a California State Library Parks Pass at your local LAPL branch and enjoy free vehicle day-use entry at more than 200 participating state park units, including Malibu Lagoon and Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve State Natural Reserve.
Libby and Hoopla: At some point in our parenting journeys, our kids start to develop strong feelings about what we listen to in the car or around the house. Get on the same page and spark a love for storytelling by listening to audiobooks together. Many titles even include read-along features, pairing narration with highlighted text. Some recent favorites my preschooler enjoyed were The Watermelon Seed by Greg Pizzoli and A Potato on a Bike by Elise Gravel.
Ready to make the most of your library card? Visit lapl.org to find the branch nearest you, sign up if you don’t already have a library card, and explore the wide range of free resources available for families. Whether you’re looking for your next storytime, a stack of fresh reads, or a new adventure together, the Los Angeles Public Library is here to support you every step of the way.
& PSA for all you library lovers:
This weekend is the Night at the Library gala! Call out the grandparents or book a babysitter and have a glamorous date night in the stacks.
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