A Place to Play: An Assessment of a Public Library’s Play Centers

Authors

  • Stephanie Smallwood
  • Jeannine Birkenfeld

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5860/cal.16.4.9

Abstract

Play is vital for early learning. It is not ‘recess’ or a ‘timeout’ from learning, rather it IS the way young children learn.” Because play is the foundation of early learning, the Springfield-Greene County (MO) Library District (SGCL) installed Racing to Read Play & Learn Centers with toys and accompanying activities in their children’s departments at all ten branches seven years ago. These centers have been well received, but SGCL staff wanted to determine the value to families in the community and the level of kindergarten readiness provided by the centers. A formal evaluation would help library staff learn how families used the centers, how they could be improved, and opportunities for center growth and development.

Author Biographies

Stephanie Smallwood

Stephanie Smallwood, MLIS, is the Early Literacy Specialist for the Springfield-Greene County Library District in Springfield, Missouri. A former early childhood teacher, she has worked with young children and families for fifteen years. She is currently serving on ALSC’s Early Childhood Programs and Services Committee.

Jeannine Birkenfeld

Jeannine Birkenfeld is the Youth Services Manager of the Schweitzer Brentwood Branch, a city branch of the Springfield-Greene County Library District. She serves on the evaluation team responsible for assessing early literacy programming and resources within SGCL’s ten branches.

References

Sue McCleaf Nespeca, “The Importance of Play, Particularly Constructive Play, in Public Library Programming,” Importance of Play Whitepaper, Association for Library Service to Children, September 10, 2012, http://www.ala.org/alsc/sites/ala.org.alsc/files/content/Play_formatted.pdf.

“Quick Facts Greene County, Missouri,” United States Census Bureau, accessed August 10, 2018, https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/map/greenecountymissouri/PST045217#viewtop.

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Published

2018-12-12

Issue

Vol. 16 No. 4 (2018): Winter

Section

Features

License

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