This month, Rangeview Library District’s Anythink Brighton begins Family Place^TM programming, offering unique resources to an underserved segment of the Adams County population – birth to 3-year-olds and their caregivers. In October 2008, Anythink became the first official Family Place library in Colorado. The Family Place workshops – the principle components of Family Place – are now offered at four Anythink locations. By the end of 2010, the workshops will be offered district-wide.

Family Place Workshops at Anythink Brighton will be held every Saturday, Feb. 27-March 27, from 10-11:15 am. Families are encouraged to sign up for all five weeks, and capacity is 12-15 families.

Family Place Libraries™ is a network of children’s librarians nationwide who believe that literacy begins at birth, and that libraries can help build healthy communities by nourishing healthy families. Founded by the Middle Country Public Library in Suffolk County, Long Island, in 1979, the goal was to create a community-based learning place for parents while encouraging parent-child interaction. Family Place Libraries position the public library as a recognized source for early childhood information.

The parent/child workshops are at the heart of the Family Place Libraries program. Workshops are five weeks long and focus on everything from nutrition to speech development. Two library staff and one outside expert participate in the workshop. No chairs are placed in the room, and a variety of activities are displayed based on age and interest. The workshop offers an informal setting for parents to interact with their children while asking questions of the invited experts, whether they are about parenting, nutrition, or early literacy.

Another important aspect of Family Place is the accessibility of parenting resources. Through the flexibility of Anythink’s new word-based materials organization system, WordThink, “Parenting” sections are now available at most Anythink libraries near the children’s areas. All of these areas also offer developmentally appropriate toys for children to play with – another important element of Family Place.

To find out about Family Place workshops near you, visit our calendar.