Libraries are becoming more popular for families with young children. Realizing that families need a place to have fun together, that is not expensive, and that encourages learning, Burlington Public Library created the Discovery Centre located in the Mattamy Children’s Library at Central.
This is a place where kids can start their own stories and tell them through puppets. They can dress up in costumes. They can share stories through books and use flannel boards to express themselves.
“It’s a fun place and makes coming to the library fun,” said Andrea Gordon, Burlington Public Library librarian. “The Discovery Centre is a place where imagination lives.”
Not only is it fun for the children but it is also fun for the parent or caregiver. Adults come to socialize with other parents, browse and borrow from the collection—and even enjoy a quiet moment or two. There is no charge to visit the library and most of the programs for children and adults are free.
“It’s a great meeting place for like-minded people,” Gordon said. “Most families that come to the Discovery Centre have preschool-aged children so they have a lot in common.”
Each branch library has elements of the Discovery Centre at Central Library. All neighbourhood branches have spaces designated for children and teens. For the younger children, you’ll find books, DVDs, music CDs, age-appropriate furniture, and kid-friendly computer workstations with activities for toddlers and preschoolers.
The joy that children associate with visiting the library will encourage them to keep coming back, even as they grow older.
“The library is a place to start a lifelong habit of reading for pleasure and knowledge,” added Gordon. “We try to make our library branches welcoming and comfortable for parents and small children. It’s not the place of the past where everyone was told to be quiet.”
For more information, visit
www.bpl.on.ca and click on Kids.
