Annabelle Bailey, 3, is captivated by the book she has chosen from the children’s section of the Main Branch of the Ottawa Public Library.
The children’s sections in many of Ottawa’s public libraries may undergo a facelift thanks to a new project promoting literacy in their youngest patrons.
Plans to renovate existing children’s areas into enriched Early Literacy Spaces are in the works, says Jane Venus, manager of children and teen services for the Ottawa Public Library.
“These spaces will be about making the library a family destination, a place where you want to come and spend some time and learn,” says Venus.
Bright colours, interactive elements and plenty of floor-space dedicated to active play and exploration will appeal to children of all ages, from babies up to six or seven years.
At the same time, the spaces will be stocked with resources, such as signs and materials. These tools will help teach parents how to get their little ones reading at home and on their own.
According to Venus, while the project is still in the early planning stages, the vision for the Early Literacy Spaces is to make the library a comfortable place where parents want to bring their toddlers and preschoolers to stay, play and learn.
In the past, “you built your library and you just filled every inch of it with books because that was what people were coming for,” says Venus. “We want to change that.”
Ottawa libraries have already had some success drawing in older children and teenagers with their Teen Zones and on-site video gaming areas.
Venus says that Early Literacy Spaces will hopefully continue that trend for younger children and their parents.
Mary Wiggin, the executive director of the Ottawa Community Coalition for Literacy based in Centretown, adds that it’s good that the project wouldn’t just focus on children. The program would also concentrate on teaching parents about valuable literacy skills.
Lori Nash, president of the Friends of the Ottawa Public Library Association, agrees that the project would be a great move forward for the city, especially since the Early Literacy Spaces are designed for children in the earliest stages of skill development.
“The early days are such a crucial time to get children interested in the library and reading,” she says.
The Friends of the Library help finance many of the Ottawa Public Library’s projects.
As the organization budgets its funds for the next year, Nash says that they will eagerly help with any special funding requests that come directly from children and teen services.
But despite aide from groups, such as the Friends of the Ottawa Public Library Association, finding sufficient funds to implement the Early Literacy Space project across Ottawa may be challenging.
Venus says that with limited finances and 33 branches of varying sizes and public demands, the library board will have to prioritize where the renovations are needed the most.
She adds that some library branches, including the Main Branch located in Centretown, will likely be candidates for the program given their available space and high user demand.
Branches scheduled for overall renovations in the near future will likely be the first to see elements of the program phased in throughout 2009.
While the search for renovation funds continues, Venus says that a short-term objective is to place interactive tabletop displays promoting early literacy throughout the libraries.