Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in Philadelphia, PA

I have always been a big fan of libraries. As a poor kid but an avid reader, the library was my home away from home. My mother and I made weekly trecks, like clockwork, to the library.

Now my daughter and I do the same thing, but we also use the library as a play destination instead of just a place to find books. We make full use of storytimes during the day, and have lately been going far and wide to enjoy pajama storytimes as a way to get out of the house in the early evenings (sadly, here in Philly it now gets dark at 4:30pm. Ug.).

Philadelphia libraries are currently at risk in the budget crunch that is now facing the city. This makes me terribly sad; I hate the idea of some kids not having a library in their neighborhood. I live outside the city limits in a nearby suburb, so my library isn't at risk.

If you want to help the Philadelphia libraries stay open, visit the Friends of the Free Library site. They are working hard to keep all branches open and running. Let's keep the money where it matters!