Destination: Northeast Regional Library, Raleigh

My family's "home library," as we like to call it, is Cameron Village Regional Library near downtown Raleigh. But we'll also pop in to other libraries around Wake County, depending on errands and schedules.

The one-story building stretches 22,000 square feet and holds 140,000 books for all readers. The long-awaited library, paid for with funds from the 2003 bond referendum, also offers a full slate of free programs and activities for readers of all ages. For kids and families, especially, there's an 800-square-foot youth programming room.

My kids and I loved our brief visit there to return books and check out new ones. The librarians were extremely helpful as my little one looked for books in the Junie B. Jones series. My older one scanned the stacks and looked up books through the library's computer system.

I loved the open, airy feel of the building, especially those windows looking out on the trees. In the youth section, the library offers a bunch of different sitting areas, including small tables for little ones right next to those big windows where they can grab a board book from a bin and sit down to read.

Nearby, you'll find cushy chairs, perfect for gazing out those windows or reading a book to a little one. My tween got comfortable there with the book she checked out.

Like all of Wake's libraries, Northeast Regional has regular programs for young children, grade schoolers, teens and adults. Most months (except when libraries take their regular storytime breaks), you'll find storytimes weekdays and Saturday mornings.

You'll also find activities for kids in grades kindergarten to second grade, third grade to fifth grade and teens. Highlights this month include Survive the Apocalypse, a program for teens, on Jan. 26. For grade schoolers, there's a Library Luau on Jan. 29 that celebrates the new Disney movie, "Moana."