A Family Place Library is a center for early childhood information, parent education, emergent literacy, socialization and family support. Expanding the traditional role of children’s services.
Family Place builds on the knowledge that good health, early learning, parental involvement and supportive communities play a critical role in young children’s growth and development.
Core components of a Family Place Library are:
- Collections of books, toys, music and multimedia materials for babies, toddlers, parents and service providers
- A specially designed, welcoming early learning space within the children’s area for families with young children
- The Parent/Child Workshop – a five week program that involves toddlers and their parents and caregivers; features local professionals who serve as resources for parents; emphasizes the role of parents as the first teachers of their children; facilitates early intervention; and teaches strategies for healthy child development and early literacy
- Coalition- building with community agencies that serve families and young children to connect parents to community resources and develop programs and services tailored to meet local needs
- Outreach to new and non -traditional library users, especially parents and very young children (beginning at birth)
- Developmentally appropriate programming for very young children and their parents, and
- Library staff trained in family support, child development, parent education and best practices
To learn more about the Family Place Library model, go to this website; https://www.familyplacelibraries.org