The Interactive Kids' Spaces Revitalize CML Libraries project emerged from the challenge of transforming our children's areas, which were previously underwhelming and lacked the vibrancy needed to engage young minds. Before the project, these spaces were primarily focused on book checkout, with little else to capture children's imagination or curiosity. The environments were too white, devoid of vibrant colors and dynamic elements that inspire learning and creativity. Additionally, they did not fully embrace the "learn, play, grow" philosophy we aspired to instill. Recognizing the opportunity to evolve, we set out to create spaces that are not just places to borrow books, but vibrant, interactive environments where children can explore, engage, and develop a lifelong love of learning. The result is a more stimulating and colorful experience that aligns with our vision of making libraries essential, dynamic parts of our communities, especially for our youngest customers.

The Key Elements of Innovation in our Interactive Kids' Spaces project include the addition of toddler play areas focused on motor skills development, crawl-up book bins, and giant Duplo blocks, creating a hands-on environment for young children. We introduced train tables and increased display areas, while kids-sized maker tables with bins for craft projects foster creativity. Each location boasts unique features, such as giant Lite-Brites, reconfigurable ball walls with magnetic tracks, chutes, and spinners, bringing kinetic energy, friction, inertia, and gravity to life. Art rails have been added to display children's creations, celebrating their achievements. At the Main Library, special features include a Draw Alive station, a toy electric train, and a market. These innovations are designed to make our libraries more engaging, interactive, and educational, ensuring that each location offers a distinctive experience for young visitors.

The achieved outcomes of our project are promising as we begin to study the impact of these transformative changes. Verbal feedback from customers has been overwhelmingly positive across all locations, with many expressing appreciation for the vibrant, engaging environments. Social media activity from customers has also increased, with numerous posts highlighting the newly enhanced spaces. Notably, at the Main Library, we've observed a significant rise in first-time juvenile print circulation, now at its highest since 2017, following the building's renovation in 2016. At Driving Park, juvenile circulation is rebounding, showing encouraging growth despite not yet fully recovering to 2019 levels. An interesting spike in Readers' circulation was recorded in April, soon after the completion of the new Tween area with updated shelving. We will continue to monitor usage and circulation patterns closely. Attached pictures showcase the before and after transformations at select branches.