At Glenview Public Library, we believe play is a powerful part of learning and an essential foundation for early childhood development. Thanks to the generous support of donors through the Glenview Public Library Foundation’s Play Space Campaign, we’re excited to introduce a newly designed play space where children and caregivers can learn, explore, and grow together.
As Fred Rogers said, “Play is really the work of childhood.” Through play, children make sense of the world around them—building physical skills, developing language, and practicing important social skills like sharing, cooperating, and making friends.
In our new space, learning comes to life through both play and books. After a storytime about first responders, children might dress up as firefighters and police officers. Books about animals extend into imaginative play in the animal hospital. Early concepts like colors, numbers, and shapes are reinforced as children build with wooden blocks and Magna-Tiles at the light table. In these moments, reading and play come together to spark curiosity, discovery, and joy.
The space has been thoughtfully designed by our Youth Services Librarians, who specialize in early childhood development, to encourage caregivers to play alongside their children. Face-out picture book shelving, organized by subject and located near the play area, makes it easy to find books that match a child’s interests. Prompts throughout the space help caregivers start conversations that build vocabulary and support children in expressing their ideas.
Families can also look forward to rotating themes that keep the experience fresh and engaging. Each quarter, librarians will update the space based on their observations and the interests shared by children and caregivers. A changing selection of toys, games, costumes, and puppets will introduce topics like community helpers and the natural world.
We invite you to visit the new play space, spend time exploring together, and experience the joy of learning through play. This summer, dive into all things water through our featured theme. Have an idea for how we can improve our play space? Please share your suggestions with our librarians.