By Hannah Dillon

Elementary school students and their parents enjoyed Family Night at the Library with food, books and activities this week.

Five hundred twenty-five students and parents from Halverson and Lakeview elementary schools attended on Tuesday and 550 students and parents from Hawthorne and Sibley elementary schools attended on Wednesday.

The firemen grilled hot dogs, and there was also potato salad, apples, water and lemonade to enjoy. Library staff ran games and activities out by the library’s old garage.

Inside the children’s library, some tables were set up to make bubble dough, and on a smaller table, tattoos were available.

Patty Greibrok, children’s librarian, then did storytime with the “Red Riding Hood Rap” and talked to parents about what the library has to offer them and their students.

Inside the council chambers, children could pick out free books, and parents got reading handouts. Each family received a pass and went around to various areas. Each area had a teacher to sign the pass once each area was visited, and once the pass was complete it could be entered to win a free gift basket.

Family Night at the Library was a collaboration between School District 241 and the city of Albert Lea.