This year, thanks to the Cortez City Council, the staff at the Cortez Public Library is making the kids’ room more fun and educational for young patrons.
Artist Cheryl Foley of Durango has created two new beautiful murals on the south wall, complete with animals and insects!
Kids can stroll under the rainbow and through the book stacks on a new path created just for them.
The library has created an Early Literacy Center, which gives preschoolers opportunities to improve their skills for getting ready to read. For writing and drawing, the room has easels with a blackboard and a magnetic board with letters.
Manipulative toys help children develop fine motor skills. There’s a little play kitchen with plastic food (yum!) for play and narrative skills. And the library added a special “reading room” and comfy mats and funiture with lots of books, of course!
Last, the library has purchased two laptops, called Early Literacy Stations, for kids 2-8 years old. Parents can check them out for in-library. The Early Literacy Station has no Internet connection, so it is safe and secure. It features more than 60 educational software programs spanning seven curricular areas. The educational titles are displayed using engaging graphics and intuitive menus. Parents need a library card and a state ID to check them one.
The new kid’s area will be decorated with tiles the kids themselves have painted. To paint a tile, come to the celebration on June 6.
The library will be celebrating the opening of the children’s area on June 6 from 5 to 6 p.m. Everyone is invited, refreshments will be served, and the children of the community are welcome to come and paint a tile!
