The Second Century - The Newark Public Library

Main Library Children's Room Reopens

Wash-up sink comes in handy after arts and crafts projects.

For several months the Main Library’s Children’s Room had been closed for renovation and technological improvements made possible by funding from the City of Newark. It reopened on April 14, during National Library Week. The new room now has two areas dedicated to technology, putting it in the forefront of children’s rooms across the country. One area is for children in pre-K to grade 3; the other for those in grades 4 through 6. The twelve computers with Internet access, word processing and educational-programs technology are teaching preschoolers computer literacy and assisting preteens with research for their homework. There also are computer classes on a variety of topics.

In addition to being a benchmark for technology, the room offers a superb book collection and has many other new features.

Fran Poteet, Principal Children’s Librarian, assists children at one of the room’s twelve computers.

Upon entering, patrons notice a rainbow of colors adorning the walls and other surfaces—making it cozy and more inviting. The room now has modern furniture and fixtures, including more than 150 running feet of new shelving. An expanded arts and crafts area—complete with a cleanup sink—and a gazebo-like structure for story-telling and programs give the multipurpose room stylish functionality.

“Even with all the added furniture and shelving,” explains Fran Poteet, Principal Children’s Librarian, “we now have more open space, thanks to a 200-square-foot addition.”

The room offers a variety of services: Club Success/Homework Club, the Prudential Foundation Summer Reading Challenge, and pre-school visits. The expanded collection consists of more “board” books, concept books, and books for beginning readers. For additional information, stop by or call (973) 733-7797.


Volume 10 Number 2, Summer 1999