ATHOL – Books with topics ranging from potty training to divorce are available through the Lending Library at the Valuing Our Children Family Center, 217 Walnut St. “We’ve been doing this since our inception,” said VOC Executive Director Kena Vescovi Monday, “Anybody can look through the books.” She said they try to get books that highlight trends and there are some for parents with children in the autism spectrum.
The library, redesigned about six years ago, also loans out activity bags for mainly pre-school children that can help with eye and hand coordination, sorting, counting, color recognition, and picture and design creation. Activities include geometry, patterns, blocks, peg boards, lacing and puzzles.
Book topics include: Child Anxiety/ADHD, Pregnancy/Babies, Autism, Fatherhood, Parenting/Discipline, Domestic Violence, Board Books, Interactive Books, Social and Emotional, Sensitive Issues, Picture Books, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), and Beginner Reader.
Activity bags available include: Number Kits, Alphabet Kits, Kindergarten Readiness, Shape Bag, Fairy Tale Kits, Baby Bag, Goodnight Kit, Learning Backpack, Literacy Kit, Color Kit, Social & Emotional Learning Backpack, and a STEM kit.
The Lending Library is open during reception area hours, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Generally, activity bags are loaned out for a week and books for two weeks.
For more information, call 978-249-8467, or email info@valuingourchildren.org.