Library to Add 'Family Play and Learn Spot'

Richfield's Augsburg Park Library is working with the Children's Museum of Minnesota to create a dedicated early literacy space for children and their families.

Being called the "Family Play and Learn Spot," the new area aims to let children and families talk, sing, read, write and play together at the library.

As part of the Hennepin County Library system, Augsburg Park Library aims to serve the community as best it can. According to Hennepin County Library's website, the new spot is part of a larger library renovation, and will be designed to reflect "the unique character of the Richfield community." A similar area has been added to the Hopkins Library alread.

Why is a space like this necessary? For many reasons, according to HCL:

• Hennepin County Library is committed to serving people of all ages at Augsburg Park Library. We believe the library, along with the support of community partners, plays an important role in the early learning of young children and in ensuring they enter kindergarten ready to learn.
• We recognize that parents and other loving family members and friends are a child’s first and best teacher, and the library staff is dedicated to supporting them as they prepare children for success.
• Playing is how kids learn. Playing helps kids use imagination to solve problems—it also helps them learn to work with others and prepares them to learn to read.
• We are committed to creating spaces in libraries where children and caregivers can talk, sing, read, write and play together.
• See more photos from early literacy spaces at Hennepin County libraries on Flickr.

The new play area is scheduled to open in the fall, but before the library moves to far ahead, it wants feedback from the community.

An open house will be held at Augsburg Park Library from 6-8 p.m. Monday, April 8. Anyone interested is invited to attend, share their ideas and listen to more details on the proposed space.

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