Big changes for Story Corner
Children section of library ready for remodel
DANBURY — A makeover is in the works for a frequent hangout spot of Reece and Ryland Mead in the Danbury Library.
The 7- and 8-year-old brothers attend almost all of the library’s children’s programs, from music and art to computer programming classes.
Recently, it was building winding snakes and colorful icicles out of blocks and plastic pieces with new friends during the “ImagArena” session in the children’s Story Corner on the library’s second floor.
But the Story Corner and portions of the junior floor could look much different next year as library leaders develop a $200,000 plan to remodel the popular space.
The plan includes transforming the Story Corner into a formal separate space, enclosed by a new glass wall instead of the dark curtain that sets it off from the rest of the floor now, assistant library director Katharine Cheung said.
“We’re definitely excited,” she said. “We’re still working on the plans, but we hope we can get the funding together to get this completed by about this time next year.”
The corner also will get new audio, visual and technology upgrades to help the library support more advanced presentations and video, including a ceiling-mounted projector and new speaker system, according to the plans.
The remodel also will include a new sensory space, which is a separate therapeutic area with certain objects and activities designed to stimulate children with special needs. It will be one of the first of its kind in a public library in Connecticut, Cheung said.
The Library Board has agreed to put up $100,000 for the project and the City Council recently endorsed a plan to apply for a state grant to cover the rest.
For Ryland and Reece, it will be a welcome upgrade. They are home schooled by their mother Roxy, a former school teacher, and spend several days a week checking out books and participating in programs at the Danbury Library and other area libraries.
“It really could use it,” Roxy Mead said, of the proposed changes. “It’s surprising, given the size of the city, how it compares to the other towns’ libraries.”
Tim Merle, who led the ImagArena video and activities, said most libraries and community centers he visits around New England have made the upgrades Danbury is considering. He had to lug his own projector up to the Story Corner after finding the old machine the library has on a cart.
But that didn’t stop the dozen children giggling their way through Merle’s program with blocks and Lego pieces.
Five-year-old Karm Shah and 7-year-old Andrew O’Donnell built ramps and robots and cars. They’ll spend many afternoons playing and learning in programs in the Story Corner throughout summer break.
“It’s great there are so many programs,” said Lynn O’Donnell, Andrew’s grandmother. “His mom works, I work, so this is a great help during and after work hours. It would be great to see it improved even more.”
Arpi Shah, Karm’s mother, agreed before getting dragged into the children’s building project herself.
“I love this, momma,” Karm said. “Can we do this every day?”