What could be better than a library to chill on a hot summer day and warm up on a cold winter day? It’s a place where children first learn about the beauty of books, letting their imagination run wild and travel with numerous protagonists.
Libraries come in all shapes and sizes and as we will see, some children’s libraries get extra stars for providing cosy and stimulating places for children and books to meet. This one for example, the children’s area at the Clinton Macomb Public Library in Michigan. It has a puppet theatre with many plush toys to put on a play, a cosy circular bench and lots of room to run around. Don’t miss the lighthouse in the background, part of a fancy bookshelf.
Speaking of fancy bookshelves, here’s another one, also at CMPL. It’s a steam train complete with smoke plume. And in the foreground, a fire engine. Reading truly is an adventure for all senses in such a setting.
Photo: San José Library
The Willow Glen branch of San José Library provides lots of space to crawl around or play, emphasizing the importance of early contact with books. Children who remember libraries as fun and safe settings that once piqued their curiosity will be more likely to pick up books even in adulthood.
Shelves stacked with the latest books or old classics and a comfy place to sit and read or interact with avid readers – what could be better? This colorful set-up can be found at the Cambrian branch of San José Public Library.
Amazing attention to detail was paid in the arrangement of this children’s corner of the Calabazas branch of San José Public Library, right from the colorful wall decoration to the furniture that’s true to the theme: The armchair is made up of three books, two closed ones and an open one, and the benches are shaped like books that offer their spine for a bit of a rest.
The photo was taken in 2009 and shows a problem that libraries frequently face: closure. Due to lack of funds, mainly, but also other reasons like declining readership, staff shortage and lack of space. Let’s hope that every library that’s closing means one that is opening somewhere else. Happy reading!
