Library unveils revamped children's area

Since early this year, Jen Watson, assistant director and youth services coordinator with the ELANCO Library, has been dealing with an empty children's room. "Everything (was removed)," said Watson. "All the books. All the shelves. Everything."

Everything was removed from the children's room for a good reason. On June 1, from 10 a.m. to noon, a grand opening was held to showcase the new paint, carpet, tree fixture, teen/community room, and an early learning room that was created out a former storage closet. The date also kicked off ELANCO's Summer Reading Program.

According to Watson, the early learning room has been designed for use by children from birth to age 5 or 6 and their families. "(The new room has) a sensory wall and some seating for adults," she said, adding that the room is also stocked with educational materials. She added that one focus of the room is to give new parents a place to socialize. "Some of the feedback we received from the community is that is something they liked about the library, so we wanted to listen and give them what they needed," she said. The space is furnished with a rug, couches, and shelving for toys. Places for parents to read to their children are a hallmark of the remodeled children's room.

Library director Anna D'Agostino pointed out that parents may bring older children as well, and that the low walls of the room allow for supervision of children in other parts of the children's area. She also noted that a story time for babies will be held in the new room over the summer. Baby story time will be held on Mondays, June 17, July 15, and Aug. 19, at 10 a.m.

The teen/community room will offer a space for interviews and meetings for young people as well as a rental option for community groups. The former conference room was redesigned with teenagers in mind. "We wanted to bring some color in here," said Watson, who pointed out that the ceiling was opened up and furniture replaced with more flexible pieces to make the room feel larger. Lighting was updated as well.

"It's a more effective teaching space as well as a conference room," said D'Agostino.

The library is still working to raise $57,000 to cover the costs of the updates. "We have the capital campaign going on," said D'Agostino, noting that area residents may have received a donation card in the mail and that there are donation boxes in the library as well as a QR code on the back of the Summer 2024 Events Catalog that can be used to make donations. "We want to say thank you to an anonymous donor for contributing $150,000 toward the construction," she added.

More information about the ELANCO Library may be found at http://www.elancolibrary.org.