This exciting “Discovery” space will be focused entirely on helping children, from birth through age 8, develop pre-emergent and basic literacy skills by using print, non-print, and electronic media and realia.

A unique feature of this area will be a large, flat-panel viewing screen mounted to the floor, encouraging children to look into the ocean, out into space, or around the world as a window into their own imaginations. The area will also feature several personal computers, loaded with lap-sit software to stimulate early learning and develop hand-eye coordination.

The area will house in-depth collections of board books, picture books, easy readers, chapter books, and fiction and non-fiction readers. It will also feature a large collection of non-print learning materials, including educational toys and games, available for checkout.

A Kinder Gallery will display art produced by local children during library programs, and a glass wall will serve as a gallery for a permanent exhibit of rare and valuable classic children's books.

The Children's Library will be located in close proximity to the Children's Activity Center, a multipurpose programming room, enabling librarians to encourage toddlers, preschoolers, and early elementary-age children to participate in the Library's nationally recognized pre-emergent and year-round reading incentive programs.