Pictured: the library’s children’s area is being reconfigured to support the Family Place program. Here are some before and after pictures of the new furniture going up. Photos courtesy Altadena Library.
The main Altadena Library at 600 E. Mariposa St. is introducing some improvements for parents and the ages 0-3 set, thanks to a recent grant from the California State Library.
The library was awarded $15,000 to implement the Family Place Program at the main library. The grant will pay for toys, books and comfortable furniture that support early-learning interactions between children ages 0-3 and their parents, and caregivers.
The Family Place Program is a statewide initiative that helps create family/early childhood space in the children’s area of local public libraries. Modeled on a national Family Place initiative, the project is supported by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian.
Children’s librarian Cassandra Stearns said that the purpose of the Family Place was to develop more famly-friendly programs and reach out to parents and famlies in the community who are not already using the library.
The Family Place “supports the idea that parents are their child’s first teacher, and the way the zero through three age group learns is through play.” The program also encourages early literacy.
In addition, the library will offer a special free five-week parent-child workshop starting in April to encourage the use of the public library by families with children. Each week will focus on a different topic between early literacy, nutrition, child development, speech & language and movement & play.
Right now, the library is rearranging furniture and gradually accumulating what it needs to make the Famly Place a reality. “We’ve just begun to order stuff,” Stearns said. Whle there is already some furniture and toys in place, “we’re still getting items in.”
For more information contact Childrens Services Senior Librarian Cassandra Stearns at 626-798-0833 ext. 109 orcstearns@altadenalibrary.org.
Pictured: the library’s children’s area is being reconfigured to support the Family Place program. Here are some before and after pictures of the new furniture going up. Photos courtesy Altadena Library.
The main Altadena Library at 600 E. Mariposa St. is introducing some improvements for parents and the ages 0-3 set, thanks to a recent grant from the California State Library.
The library was awarded $15,000 to implement the Family Place Program at the main library. The grant will pay for toys, books and comfortable furniture that support early-learning interactions between children ages 0-3 and their parents, and caregivers.
The Family Place Program is a statewide initiative that helps create family/early childhood space in the children’s area of local public libraries. Modeled on a national Family Place initiative, the project is supported by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian.
Children’s librarian Cassandra Stearns said that the purpose of the Family Place was to develop more famly-friendly programs and reach out to parents and famlies in the community who are not already using the library.
The Family Place “supports the idea that parents are their child’s first teacher, and the way the zero through three age group learns is through play.” The program also encourages early literacy.
In addition, the library will offer a special free five-week parent-child workshop starting in April to encourage the use of the public library by families with children. Each week will focus on a different topic between early literacy, nutrition, child development, speech & language and movement & play.
Right now, the library is rearranging furniture and gradually accumulating what it needs to make the Famly Place a reality. “We’ve just begun to order stuff,” Stearns said. Whle there is already some furniture and toys in place, “we’re still getting items in.”
For more information contact Childrens Services Senior Librarian Cassandra Stearns at 626-798-0833 ext. 109 orcstearns@altadenalibrary.org.