Thanks to a federal Library Services and Technology Act Preschool Connection grant, the Children's Room at the Main Library has been re-arranged and improved. The Children's Room is now more accessible and convenient to parents and their children from infancy on.

The area for babies and toddlers now features a comfortable carpet and a sturdy play table where board books are available. The section is shielded from the space for older children so that parents can more easily supervise, and it's bright and inviting.

The book collection has been re-arranged so that all picture books are together in the young child area, and all the chapter books for older readers are shelved in the area for older children. The grant also funded new audio-visual equipment and interactive toys for young children like a "touch board" and wood puzzles.

The new space can now house a lapsit program for babies, which is held on the second Thursday of every month at 9:30am. No pre-registration required--just bring your baby (newborn to 2 years old) for a 15 to 20 minute program. Toddler Time for youngsters aged 2 to 3 1/2 is held on the third Thursday, also at 9:30. Once they reach 3 1/2, children are eligible for the school-year Story Hour program (registration required, ask for details at the front desk.)

Stop by the Main Library in Montrose to see what's new!