The glitter from the holidays is gone and winter has settled in bringing colder days along with boredom. Many people are searching for indoor activities to stay entertained and engaged. And parents are looking for activities to keep children occupied. One timeless solution lies in the heart of every community: the library. Libraries have always been a vital part of communities, offering access to books, resources, and programs that encourage learning and imagination as well as connection. At a library you can escape physically as well as mentally, because books can take you as far away as you wish to go. For young children, libraries are especially magical places where stories come alive, and a love of reading begins.
“Libraries are magical places,” says Tina Serra, the librarian at Husmann Elementary School. Tina’s journey to becoming a school librarian was shaped by her lifelong love of books. “I have very vivid memories of the bookmobile and public library as a child. I completed every summer reading program and loved rifling through the card catalog,” she recalls. Growing up, Tina even played “librarian” with her family’s books, complete with library checkout cards and date due slips. She also fondly remembers her first independent read, naming her childhood dog after it, Tuggy.
Tina’s path to Husmann Elementary included roles at the Crystal Lake Public Library and Hannah Beardsley Middle School, as well as earning her Master of Education in Instructional Technology from Northern Illinois University. Since 2014, she has been inspiring young readers as Husmann’s librarian.
“My favorite part of any class is connecting students to books,” Tina shares. “If you enjoy reading, you will never be bored. It is my job to make that a reality for our students.” She designs her curriculum to instill the joy and wonder of stories while teaching library skills. A typical day includes reading a new book to her classes, engaging them in projects, and hosting book clubs and extracurricular activities like the EnviroTech Club and a weekly plant club.
For Tina, the true magic of libraries lies in their ability to foster empathy and connection. “Reading creates an opportunity to walk in another person’s shoes or make you feel that you are not alone in your experiences,” she says. She delights in seeing students light up when they enjoy a book she recommended. “That connection is so honest and real. It exemplifies how books can bring people together.”
Parents play a vital role in cultivating a love for reading. Tina emphasizes the importance of modeling the behavior: “Read to your kids, read with your kids, and read yourself.” She wistfully recalls witnessing a multigenerational family reading separately but together on vacation and vows to recreate that with her own family. Creating cozy, distraction-free reading spaces, exploring audiobooks, and allowing children to choose their own books are all ways to make reading special.
For reluctant readers, Tina advises patience and persistence. “Finding the right book can be a process. Don’t be afraid to quit a book that isn’t engaging and find another. There are too many good books out there to waste time on one that isn’t right for you.”
This winter, families can also look to their local libraries and community organizations for programs and activities that connect and inspire. Tina recommends checking out the Crystal Lake Public Library for fun family events and resources. “The most wonderful thing about libraries is the opportunities they provide,” she says. “They are truly a level playing field, offering knowledge, support, encouragement, escape, and new experiences.”
As the snow falls, libraries remain warm, welcoming places where children can explore their interests, grow their imaginations, and experience the joy of curling up with a good book. You never know what a book may inspire, whether it’s the name of a family pet, an interesting conversation, or simple connection to others, books can ignite a spark in anyone. Tina Serra and her library at Husmann Elementary are proof that the magic of libraries is alive and well, ready to inspire the next generation of readers.
At a library you can escape physically as well as mentally, because books can take you as far away as you wish to go.
For Tina, the true magic of libraries lies in their ability to foster empathy and connection. “Reading creates an opportunity to walk in another person’s shoes or make you feel that you are not alone in your experiences”