SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) — The Stephens Central Library Children's Department had its grand re-opening on Sept. 9 after being closed for remodeling for six days. Here's what's new in your local library.

The remodeled area now features an interactive play space designed for children ages newborn to 3 years old to develop cognitive and emotional skills to prepare them for kindergarten and pre-K.

"Our play center features five different areas that children can play at, and it's mostly aimed at kids that are age 0-3," Youth Services librarian Amy Dennis said. "We're looking at motor skill development, we're looking at literacy and writing, we're looking at dramatic play and puppetry and puzzles. All kinds of stuff, stuff that you would normally see in an intentionally-made children's area."

The department's shelves have also been rearranged to tailor to children's reading comprehension as they grow. Entry-level books such as picture books can now be found near the front of the new space, with books becoming more complex the further they are from the front.

"Our selection progresses along with literacy development, so as those skills progress, you'll find that our collection also widens," Dennis said. "We go from picture books to board books to easy-readers to graphic novels, chapter books, and then we end in the back with nonfiction."

Instead of being occupied by toys, the rear section of the space now has study tables, homework areas and quiet reading nooks.

The changes come after the Texas State Library and Archives Commission announced in December 2023 that the Tom Green County Library System was among the 15 state libraries selected to receive a Family Place Libraries Project Grant. According to the announcement, the grant would provide "funding for the training and equipment necessary" for each library to accomplish the following three goals:

• Host workshops for children ages 0-3 and their caregivers.
• Develop an interactive space for this age group to play and learn in the library.
• Forge strong partnerships with organizations serving young children and their families.

The Tom Green County Library System stated on social media on Sept. 3 that the children's department would be closed on Sept. 9 while the renovations were underway.

News Source : https://www.conchovalleyhomepage.com/news/local-news/stephens-central-library-debuts-remodeled-kids-area/