Buda Public Library Receives Family Place Library Certification

“There is this window of opportunity from zero to three, even by the age of two a child’s brain is 85 percent developed,” said Sanders.

The Buda Public Library was recently certified as a Family Place Library™. The program focuses on expanding children’s services, while providing resources to parents on how to nurture their child’s development.

As a newly certified Family Place Library, Children’s Librarian Martha Sanders sees a big opportunity.

“There is this window of opportunity from zero to three, even by the age of two a child’s brain is 85 percent developed,” said Sanders. 

In fact, 90% percent of brain development happens between birth and three-years-old.

“The Family Place Library program is geared towards infants to three-years-old.”

A key element of the program is parent involvement.

“We’re required to offer at least two parent child workshops every year. We’ve brought parents, their children and resource professionals together for a five week series.  We’re required to continue to grow our parent collection and to continue to update our toys.”

The library was also required to provide a play area, because play time is a big part of a child’s development. 

“It’s very important to a child’s social development, their development in vocabulary, and their development in large motor skill. The toys lend themselves to child development. We have some awesome hard-wood blocks, we have a barn with barn animals, and we have dinosaurs.”  

The play space also serves as a platform for parents to connect with other parents.

“It just gives parents an opportunity to socialize with other parents. It gives them an opportunity to get out of the house and come let their children play with some fresh toys and interact with other children.” 

The Buda Public Library was awarded a state grant to take part in the program. Library staff  attended a Family Place Libraries Training Institute in Centereach, New York.     

After an evaluation, Family Place Libraries National Coordinator Kathy Deerr, presented the official banner to the Buda Public Library.

“It is a joy to work for a city and for a director that is open to new ideas and looks forward to a future where we’re providing resources, materials and services that will reach the needs of our community.”

For more information on Family Place you can go to familyplacelibraries.org. 

You can watch the video version of the story here:  Buda Public Library Family Place Library Certification Video