Hello and welcome to the Preschool page of the Madison County Library System’s website. My name is Martha Womack. As youth services director for this system, it will be my pleasure to connect with families of children ages 5 and under through this monthly blog. I hope that you will like our new website and that it will meet your family’s needs!

My husband and I live in Canton. We are the proud parents of a poodle-mix named Willie, and a “grown –up” son, Matt. In my former life, I spent almost 30 years as a school library media specialist. I heard many words of wisdom about what I should do to motivate young children to become lifelong readers. I think that my very favorite adage is “Teachers show your children how to read. Librarians teach your children how to LOVE to read!” There is a difference!

The youth services staff of the Madison County Library System is eager to share recommendations with you for great books for your preschooler and toddler. In addition, let your children make their own choices at the library. This practice empowers them and helps them to be excited about books. Age appropriate titles for preschool children can be found at all five branches of our system. You may also find our online catalog to be a great time saver. Believe it or not, you can now place books on hold online and just pick them up at your local branch! Please come to the children’s sections anyway to visit with our children’s specialists and read the summer away!

Check out the other features and links for preschoolers and toddlers in this section and don’t forget that anytime is the right time to visit your library. We appreciate your suggestions, ideas, and concerns. You can contact me at (601)859-7733, ext. 107, or mwomack@mcls.ms .

See you next week -------

Martha