For
Immediate Release
January 17, 2012
Contact: Megan Fischer
Director of Communications
(401) 273-5437 ext. 126
Return to Press Room
Children’s Museum Transforms Public Library
With Innovative Learning Environment
Children’s Discovery Library Opens January 28
PROVIDENCE, RI – Providence Children’s Museum’s first major offsite project – the Children’s Discovery Library,
an interactive and enriching environment for young children and their
families – will open January 28 at Providence Public Library (150
Empire Street in Providence).
A unique collaboration between two community institutions, Providence
Children’s Museum was commissioned by Providence Public Library to
redesign its children’s room and transform it into a captivating space
for early learning. The Children’s Discovery Library
will foster young children’s love of reading; promote parents and
caregivers’ understanding of the importance of early literacy
activities; and provide professional support for early childhood
educators. Key components of the space include:
- “The Forest,” a whimsical woodland environment that inspires imagination and story making with a tree trunk hideaway, giant leaves and other playful props. An artful alphabet mobile of translucent green and yellow birch leaves with letters hidden among them hangs overhead.
- Twenty-six intricately carved alphabet-block doors that open to reveal astronauts and apples, bears and balls and other alliterative objects from A to Z.
- Swirling “story starters,” first lines from beloved children’s books that wrap the walls.
- A cozy reading nook and a comfortable “baby nest” for infants.
- And magnetic poetry, literacy and story-making activities and games.
Providence Children’s Museum is committed to reaching beyond
its walls to share expertise in play and learning – including expertise
in designing innovative learning environments. The Museum has
conceived, designed and constructed artful, imaginative spaces for
children and families for over 30 years.
“It has been a joy to create an engaging and fun play and learning
environment for Providence Public Library, said Museum Executive
Director Janice O’Donnell. “The Library and the Museum
have long been resources for one another, supporting and enhancing a
shared commitment to children and family learning. We know each
other and our community well – we are natural partners.”
The Providence Public Library and its Early Literacy Learning Center
librarians and staff have been leaders in the Providence and Rhode
Island early learning community for decades. “We are very
fortunate to have been able to work with the professionals at
Providence Children’s Museum to create what will surely be a popular
early learning destination for Rhode Island children and families,”
said Library Director Dale Thompson.
The Children’s Discovery Library at Providence Public Library opens on
Saturday, January 28 with a ribbon cutting ceremony and fun activities
for the whole family from 12:30 to 5:00 PM. For more information,
visit www.provlib.org.
