Ahh — the summertime family vacation. The word vacation sounds so enticing, but we know that a trip of any significance involves tedious planning and some unexpected bumps in the road.

Believe it or not, the library’s resources on travel go far beyond coffee table books. Countless epic road trips and journeys abroad have started at the Information Desk with our knowledgeable reference staff. They are experts at finding you the shortest distance between your dream vacation and the resources you need to make it a reality.

Once you have decided that an escape is in your future, consider these four tips to keep your family vacation from reaching Griswold proportions:

1. Research.

Whether taking a flight or taking a road trip, you’ll want to become as familiar with your destination as possible before you arrive. Your library card gives you access to travel books, magazines, and videos, as well as the digital library at eBonnerLibrary.org. There you’ll find information on your destination’s customs, cuisine, language, and more from Global Road Warrior. You can also access A to Z Maps Online for everything from weather patterns to site seeing. If another language is spoken there, pick up a few phrases before you go with Mango Lan-guages. Make sure to download the app to take with you.

2. Plan and schedule.

First make a list of everything you need to do to prepare for your trip, then schedule each task on a wall calendar. Schedule your vacation itinerary on the calendar, too. Check the website of the library where you are going to see if there are Summer Reading or Lifelong Learning events happening while you’re in town.

3. Anticipate challenges.

Breakdowns of both cars and kids can sap vacation joy. Plan ahead by familiarizing yourself with the Chilton Library of vehicle repair manuals in the digital library. Even when the car is happily on the road, an audiobook can miraculously occupy restless kids and drivers. Don’t forget to download plenty of digital diversions from TumbleBooks, OverDrive, Freegal, and Flipster for the road.

4. Pack smart.

Keep all travel documents in one place, whether in a physical or digital organizer. Under-pack to leave room for souvenirs and gifts you’ll bring home. Pack digitally with free eBooks, magazines, music, and movies from OverDrive, Flipster, Freegal, and Hoopla. If you just have to have a physical book, grab one from the library before you go, or check to see if the library where you are staying honors cards from other libraries. NoveList Plus will help you find perfect summer reads whether you prefer a book you can smell, scroll, or listen to.

Who knew your library card could take you so far?

All of the following classes and events take place at the Sandpoint Branch Library, 1407 Cedar, unless otherwise indicated.

Library activities

- Friday, June 9 — Teen Writers Club, 3 p.m. Serious and budding writers of all writing platforms are welcome on a drop-in basis to collaborate and exercise their skill. For information, contact Morgan 263-6930 ext 1245 or morgan@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Saturday, June 10 — Computer class on internet basics, 8:15 a.m.sharp. The amount of information available on the internet is staggering. Learn how to sift through it efficiently to find useful information. Space is limited and preregistration is required; call 263-6930.

- Saturday, June 10 — Original Soul Psalms and Songs with Jesse Warburton, 2 p.m. A new creative expression combining poetry and music presented by Jesse Warburton (AKA Brother Music).

- Monday, June 12 — Organic Seed Saving, 1-3 p.m. Come and discuss organic gardening and seed saving. Bring food and seeds to share if you can. If you can’t, come anyway! Information: Camisse Nitkowski 263-6248.

- Tuesday, June 13 — Mother Goose Reading & Singing, 10:15 a.m. Program is for children ages 0 to 3.

- Tuesday, June 13 — Preschool Story Time, 11 a.m. Program is for children ages 2 to 5.

- Tuesday, June 13 — Make It at The Library, 3 p.m. Kids and families create with robotics, circuitry, fiber arts, Legos and other projects.

- Wednesday, June 14 — Clark Fork Stories and More, 10:30 a.m.; stories, crafts, prizes and snacks for kids ages 3-8. At the East Bonner County Library District’s Clark Fork branch, 601 Main.

- Wednesday, June 14 — Clark Fork Make It at the Library, 2 p.m.. Kids make a variety of age appropriate projects. East Bonner County Library District’s Clark Fork branch, 601 Main St.

- Wednesday, June 14 — Crafternoon; create GeoMobiles; 1:30 p.m. Create a craft to take home. Free family fun. See the poster on the Events page at eBonnerLibrary.org.

- Thursday, June 15 — Clark Fork Crafternoon, 12 p.m. Free family fun with a project to take home at the East Bonner County Library District’s Clark Fork branch, 601 Main. Visit eBonnerLibrary.org for craft details.

- Thursday, June 15 — Building with an Architect. 3 PM. A Build A Better World Summer Reading program for 2nd grade kids and older. Marcus Valentine of Architect’s West Inc. will talk about how he designed the library remodel and expansion, and then we’ll do an architecture project.

- Saturday, June 17 — Computer class on cybersecurity, 8:15 a.m. sharp. Learn how to keep yourself safe in the sometimes perilous world of the internet. Space is limited and pre-registration is required; call 263-6930.