Here's The Scoop / October 2012 / East Shore Library opens new Discovery Place

Oct 1, 201208:15 AMDaily News

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East Shore Library opens new Discovery Place

As a former pediatric nurse, Gail Lindenberg has always loved children.

Gail credited that passion Thursday as she and her husband, Samuel, saw a project they funded unveiled. The Samuel and Gail Lindenberg Family Foundation gave a generous grant to renovate the children’s area at the East Shore Area Library.

And as Discovery Place—the name for the newly revamped area—was christened, it was better than anything Gail had imagined.

“I think it’s fantastic,” Lindenberg said. “Beyond my dreams. It really looks great.”

The renovations began at the start of the year and were completed more than a month ago.

Some of the changes are subtle, yet critical—replacing the blinds and improving the lighting—while others are much more noticeable.

The first thing patrons notice is a big wooden tree based in a computer station with four cubicles. The Giving Tree represents donations from patrons to Discovery Place.

Lindenberg loves the tree because it incorporates the community and gives others a tangible way to give to the library.

At the base of the tree is the computer station with two computers with multi-colored keyboards loaded with games aimed at kids.

Also new to Discovery Place is a writing station with a neighboring mailbox. Kids can write or draw anything they want at the station, then “mail” their creation to the library staff in the mailbox. The mail is then hung on a bulletin board above the writing station.

Discovery Place may be a little louder than most libraries, as children are encouraged to play and interact. “The appreciation of the kids, you can just see it,” said Sam Lindenberg. “It’s beyond the expectations of what I thought it would be.”

Kurt Bopp is assistant editor/web for Central Penn Parent. He frequented many libraries in his lifetime, but none more than the Paterno Library in college where he was a reference desk assistant.  Kurt would hit the library to work, study or nap.