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Photo courtesy of Grosse Pointe Library
Children are sponges for new information, whether they are babies crawling around to see the world or older kids reading by themselves. That is why having a fun, educational place to visit and check out books like your local library is so essential to these early years of development.
Metro Detroit has a large variety of well-staffed and well-designed libraries that have special and unique areas for children. These are exciting for kids and parents alike because there are play areas like a tree fort, or have great events and services that make life easier and better for families.
Plus, they host events both inside and outside for families to participate in together. For example, the Grosse Pointe libraries have libraries that do storytime for kids on Zoom for people who want to stay home, outside for people who are social distancing as well as in some of the branches, depending on coronavirus restrictions. Kids of all ages love to hear a book read to them, so these are great ways to get out of the house and enjoy a story as well.
Many of these libraries are open to the public for anyone to visit; you don’t have to live in that city to enjoy the space. However, if you want to check out books, most libraries require you to be a resident of that city and may ask you to provide a driver’s license to get a library card. Also, some libraries still charge overdue fees, so be prepared if you don’t visit often to find a way to return your loaned items in a timely fashion.
Here are five great Metro Detroit libraries that offer innovative services as well as entertaining areas for kids that are available year-round.
Clinton-Macomb Public Library
This is an ideal library experience for toddlers and young kids because they’ll love to see Thomas the Train greeting them as they enter. There are lots of areas for kids to get their wiggles out like the play land or theater for puppets before settling down to do some serious reading, whether it is an early reader or a chapter book. The library also offers kid-friendly reading challenges and STEM-to-go kits.
Grosse Pointe Ewald Branch library
One of the best features of this beloved branch is the giant fish tank, which families and kids stare at for hours on a regular basis. While the space is great, families also will enjoy the services. For example, there’s the recently created New Parent Outreach program, offering free delivery of library books and other resources to new parents in their baby’s first year. There are also outdoor storytimes, Zoom book experiences and more.
Southfield Public Library
Everyone has fun at this Southfield charmer. From the children’s area fireplace to the indoor treehouse to the castle with the sleeping dragon, kids will be delighted with all of the options of things to see and do. This spring, make sure you visit the outdoor reading garden and take a spin in the nearby playground.
West Bloomfield Public Library
Kids of all ages will enjoy this library, which tries to offer something for children from infancy up to high school with its play stations, playhouse and pirate ship play area. There’s also a nearby nature center for families on their visit.
