Spaces

To be truly inviting to young children and families, libraries are creating special spaces where children can discover the joy in learning and investigation, while their parents and caregivers can feel included and welcomed. Creating children's areas that provide an array of experiences ensures that youngsters of many ages will have multiple ways to learn, interact with other children or their caregivers, and achieve a sense of accomplishment.

Small changes can result in big dividends that, for families with young children, can make navigating the library so much easier and enjoyable – such as ensuring that changing tables are available in both the men's and women's bathrooms, that space has been provided for stroller parking, and that a private area has been set aside for nursing mothers. Even when you have limited space, adding color (a bright area rug), some aspect of play (a magnetic wall with alphabet letters) and features that encourage parent/child engagement (an overstuffed chair big enough to snuggle up together in) can immediately signal to children and their families that this space is for THEM!