I finally found a way to slow down the rush of the school run yesterday. After picking up my son from school, we headed straight to the Somerset West Public Library. It has become a bit of a weekly ritual for us lately, one that feels like a quiet anchor in the middle of our busy schedule. My son has his own library ID card now, which he is quite proud of, and we find ourselves popping in almost every week or two to refresh his bedside table with a new batch of books.
The atmosphere inside is exactly what you want from a community library: peaceful, quiet, and welcoming. The staff are incredibly patient, which is a blessing when you are browsing with a five-year-old. I must admit that for years I fell into the habit of reading almost exclusively online, while my husband was always the one frequenting these local spaces. Coming back to the physical library now feels different. It is a relaxing, almost meditative activity that I have really grown to embrace.
We generally pick out three or four books each visit. One thing we have started doing is matching our selection with whatever theme they are exploring at my son’s school. It helps reinforce what he is learning in class. A few weeks ago, we were hunting for anything related to transportation; last week, the focus was all about space.
Looking at our haul yesterday, it is clear we are already prepping for Term 3. Since Term 2 is wrapping up, we decided to get ahead by selecting some introductory math books. For a five-year-old, the variety available is actually quite impressive. My son naturally gravitates toward the interactive books—the ones with little windows to lift or shapes to move around that reveal new information. We walked away with some great titles this time, including DK’s First Maths Glossary and How to Measure Everything, along with a Stuart Clark book on space.
Our regular library habit actually started because of the Brick Club South Africa. It is a brilliant monthly initiative that happens every four weeks on a Saturday from 09:30 to 10:30. My son is obsessed with Legos, building, and different shapes, so that first Saturday morning we spent at the library for the club really opened our eyes. The meetings are announced via WhatsApp by one of the librarians who genuinly puts a lot of heart into the project.
Since that first Lego session, we figured there was no reason to wait for the monthly club to visit. It has turned into a regular outing that we all look forward to. Whether he is sticking his head through the LiBee the Bee cutout for a photo or sitting at the tables with a Junior Animal Atlas, it is just a nice way to spend an afternoon. Seeing him develop a genuine love for books and learning in such a calm environment makes the school run feel a lot more rewarding.
I’m a wife, mother and local publisher who traded Johannesburg and two years abroad for life in Somerset West. Through HelderbergStuff, I share lifestyle stories, local discoveries and noteworthy developments across Somerset West, Strand and Gordon’s Bay. For media and collaboration enquiries: marina@helderbergstuff.co.za
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