For the Children

About 70% of Hartland residents own a library card, and many of them are parents who want their children to become life-long readers.  Almost 85,000 children's materials were circulated in 2010, or about 40% of our total circulation.  Our popular summer reading program attracted 1,000 participants last year, so the wear and tear on our very small and crowded Children's Department is obvious.  Our new expansion to the south of the library will allow us to to add much more room for children's materials and also will give us room to bring the children's non-fiction out of the adult section and back where it belongs with the other children's books.  We are very excited to have room for many more books, a large and sunny storytelling area, a special area for tutoring and homework help, two areas for early literacy manipulatives, and lots of space for children and caregivers to read together.  In addition, our program room, also located in the south addition, will allow us to do all kinds of craft projects and enjoy other programing opportunities - no more crafting in the stacks!  We offer eight storytimes per week for much of the year, and Miss Sue and Miss Claudia are looking forward to lots of room and lots of light instead of a very small, dark and cramped room for their special stories and playtime. A new family bathroom will make library visits easier for our littlest patrons.  We are fortunate here in Hartland to have so many parents, grandparents and caregivers who care about bringing their children to the library.  We know you will enjoy your new space - we can't wait to have it here for you!