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Play Space Fundraising Campaign

Imagination in Motion

Creating a Play Space for Young Learners

A Storied Space for Play

Our Youth Services Department serves thousands of children each year. In 2023, children's books accounted for 66% of all books checked out, and attendance at kids' programs surpassed that of all other audiences. In the 15 years since the design of our children's area, new research has taught us more about the importance of play in nurturing a child's cognitive growth.

To better meet the needs of our youngest learners, we are reimagining this space into a dynamic play area where children can explore, discover, and immerse themselves in a world of stories and imagination. By blending the wonder of books with the power of play, we can offer endless opportunities for growth and learning.

The Power of Play

We believe curiosity and wonder fuel literacy and that play is a powerful catalyst for child development. Through play, children learn to explore, take risks, and engage meaningfully with their surroundings.

Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children, play IS serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.

- Fred Rogers

Research has shown that play:

  • Encourages social and emotional growth by allowing children to make friends, practice empathy, cooperate, and resolve conflicts.
  • Develops language and reading skills by building vocabulary, improving grammar, and laying the foundation for literacy.
  • Sparks learning and discovery by helping children explore, experiment, solve problems, and develop reasoning skills.
  • Ignites creativity and imagination through pretending, storytelling, and artistic expression.

We Reached Our Goal!

Thanks to the generosity of our donors, the Glenview Public Library Foundation has reached its $200,000 goal for the Library's new play space. The dynamic new space, where books and play spark imagination, learning, and discovery, is open and ready to delight Glenview's youngest patrons!

Thank You to Our Generous Donors!

Dreamer ($5000+)

Friends of Glenview Public Library

Shirley Kreutzfeldt

Barnett B. and Ruth K. Rosenblum

Russell and Eleanor Sorenson

Explorer ($2500-4999)

The Weber Family

Learner ($1000-2499)

Ballyhoo Hospitality

Elizabeth Coulson

The Hibner Family

Brian Hoekstra

Kerri Lin

Kiwanis Club of Glenview/Northbrook

Kathleen LaVoy

Lee and Mah Family Fund

The Lutz Family

Marko Niketic Foundation

Willow Lake Orthodontics

Meade Whitaker

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Donate
New children's play area with wooden playhouses, new toys, and colorful patterned carpet.
New play structures in the Youth Services Department.
New Youth Services Library shelves filled with children's books organized under colorful signs like 'Science & Nature' and 'Imagine That!'
New colorful shelving in the Youth Services Department.
Updated furniture in the Youth Services Department.
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