Go to the children's center at the downtown library. I know, I know, I already posted about how wonderful the Dallas Public Library is, but the downtown children's center was recently remodeled and it is amazing.
First, I appreciate the opportunity to talk about homelessness when we visit the downtown library. Many of the folks inside and outside the library appear a bit haggard. There are always lots of questions about why they look the way that they do, why they smell, etc. I am so glad that there is a place where all are welcome to come inside, to rest and to relax.
Second, the entire second floor is only open to children. Even the bathrooms are children sized! To come to the second floor you must have a child with you. There are always at least 3 library employees and I always feel very safe.
Third, there are so many more books and movies at the downtown branch. The renovations increased the size of the children's center to 16,500 square feet with 125,000 books, audiobooks, CDs and DVDs. There are also 6 computers with screens that are bigger than our TV at home. When we went to the children's library yesterday, the computers were filled with children with headphones on playing educational games.
There are also 10 iPads!!! with different educational apps on them. There are also lots of storytimes, puppet shows, and hands-on projects. Yesterday, Madeleine attended an art class where she learned about abstract art. There are also magnetic and chalk walls and a discovery wall that is a 14X14 floor flat screen wall that has a real-time tele-presence but we have not been able to see it in action yet.
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