The Josephine-Louise Public Library of Walden unveiled its children’s room last Saturday, which was completely renovated and gutted to accommodate additional shelving and floor space.

Library Director Ginny Neidermier said the space was remodeled to create more floor space and an open area to accommodate reading time. The remodel also includes additional shelving, which will accommodate additional books.

“The floor space is a little more open to accommodate our story time,” Neidermier said.

The remodel also included the addition of a desk for three designated children’s computers, which will arrive soon. The computers will have single-player and multi-player educational games and programs, such as coding programs.

The Bruderhof Community donated three fireman’s benches for the computers with the names of the fire hose companies who used to meet in the library, as well as other children’s furniture.

The new children’s desk is at a lower height than the previous one to allow children to see over it and interact with the librarians.
“We really designed it for the children, not the adults,” Neidermier said.

Neidermier said the furniture is Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant. There is new carpeting, lighting and shelving.
Half of the $71,000 renovation was funded by a grant from the New York State Division of Library Development. Renovations began in December of 2018.

Author Colleen Venable gave a workshop at the opening on graphic novel writing. The author of children’s books and graphic novels, Venable grew up in Walden before moving to New York City.

A self-described hyperactive child, Venable said the Walden library was her safe haven, and the place she would go almost every day after school. It was there that she learned to read and eventually write.

To learn more about library programs and collections, visit waldenlibrary.org, or check out the new children’s room at 5 Scofield Street, Walden.