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As the weather gets warmer, many humans are looking forward to venturing outside without a lot of cumbersome layers. There are also many animals that are no doubt looking forward to the warmer temperatures, even as the penguins and polar bears remain thankful for the modern convenience of air conditioning.

If you’ve realized that neither polar bears nor penguins are native to Kentucky, then you might already be thinking about zoos. If you’re already picturing zoos, you may be picturing the next family outing. If you were already picturing zoos before reading that last sentence, then you might really love zoos and can’t wait till you can go to one. If you’re in both camps, then you may already be aware that April 8 is National Zoo Lovers’ Day. And if you didn’t know, you know now.

Maybe you already have a favorite zoo in mind to visit. They might even be some well-known zoos that are just an hour or two away by car. Drive up north on I-75 and you can come across the Cincinnati Zoo (www.cincinnatizoo.org) where you can meet Fiona, the World Famous Hippo (How do I know she’s famous? She’s Instagram famous). Head West on I-64 and you can see the Louisville Zoo (louisvillezoo.org) where you can walk in the Gorilla Forest or hang out with vampire bats (to clarify, you will not actually hang from the ceiling).

Maybe your ideas about a zoo are on a much smaller scale. Wendt’s Wildlife Adventure (www.wedntswildlife.com) in Carlisle, KY has its share of exotic animals like zebras, kangaroos, and sloths without having to navigate downtown traffic. Maybe you’d actually like to pet a furry friend. There are plenty of petting zoos in the area, including River Hills Ranch (www.riverhillsranch.us) in Richmond or Evans Orchard and Cider Mill (evansorchard.com) in Georgetown.

There are plenty of places to experience animals, and that includes the library. Before you head off to the zoo, you can learn about your favorite animal. You can read about the efforts in Yellowstone to save the grizzly bear in “Return of the Grizzly” (599.784 Urbi). Run with the distant relatives of the dog you dress every Halloween by reading “Spirit of the Wild Dog” (599.77 Roge). Or even after you have looked into the one or six eyes of the Brown Recluse spider and learn more about them by reading “The Anatomy of Insects and Spiders”(571.3 Beve).

I’ve always enjoyed zoos. I’ve enjoyed taking my kids to them and allowing myself to be a big kid at the zoo (while only petting those animals that I’m allowed to pet, thank you very much). Zoos are a great way to introduce children to the beauty and diversity of the natural world along with introducing them to all the myriad species they share the planet with. As spring becomes summer, now is the time to plan a trip and enjoy some quality time with the kids and with a 500 pound gorilla. Just don’t take any zoo animal home as a pet, no matter how much your children beg.

And you can also come enjoy these programs at the library this week, and the only animals here are of the human variety.

• On Tuesday, April 9, at 6 p.m., Ron Kibbey’s Comedy Classics presents a comedy treat! Join us for four comedy classic shorts from the 1930s featuring Laurel & Hardy, Thelma Todd & Zasu

Pitts, Charley Chase and Our Gang (aka The Little Rascals). All to be preceded by a classic cartoon. Popcorn and snacks provided.

• On Wednesday, April 10, at 2 p.m., the Kentucky Picture Show features Dennis Quaid in a feel-good family drama circa 2002. A Texas baseball coach (Quaid) makes the major league after agreeing to try out if his high school team made the playoffs. Rated G. Popcorn and snacks provided.

• On Sunday, April 14, at 1 p.m., the library is hosting Winchester Fiber Arts, a program where you can bring a fiber art project to work on. All fiber arts are welcome, crochet, spinning, needlepoint, embroidery, cross stitch, quilting, weaving, rug hooking, etc. Beginners welcome!