Don’t simply accommodate families with young children - draw them in and make your library a destination! In this hands-on guide, an early childhood specialist, a designer, and an outreach librarian take you step-by-step through the process of designing an early learning space that fits your space limitations and budget. With a strong focus on making play spaces welcoming for parents, caregivers, and children while reducing stress for library staff, the authors:

Use current research to explain the importance of play in regard to early literacy and learning
Show how underutilized spaces of any size can be transformed into play spaces, with planning secrets for small, mid-size, and large play environments
Offer tips for reinventing reading nooks as “playscapes” that encourage fun and play
Present models of successful early learning spaces from across the country, with illustrations and floor plans
Suggest ways to motivate adults to help young children develop a sense of discovery, energizing adults and children alike to pursue the lifelong enjoyment of learning
Include sample guidelines, surveys, and plans to help you adapt your play spaces to the needs of your community
Present a vendor list, tips for cleaning toys, worksheets, and other tools for pulling it all together, from engaging library staff and community partners to hiring architects and contractors


With the help of this book, you can transform neglected spaces into joyful places that help parents inspire their children to learn.