Parsons Public Library staff and community members gathered on Tuesday, Feb. 3 to celebrate being nationally recognized as a Certified Family Play Space Library.
According to Library Director Samantha Graven, the Family Play Spaces program is an early childhood program offered in public libraries that provide safe, engaging, developmentally appropriate library services to help young children and their families feel welcome and supported. Family Play Spaces exists to help prevent child maltreatment and promote healthy child development through the implementation of intentionally designed library programs and services.
“We joined Family Play Space in 2023. We made some changes and moved furniture to create the current play area in the children’s room, and held our first program using the play area in March 2024,” Graven said. “Since then, our play area has been a space of fun, learning, sharing, laughter, and play dates for over 8,300 children and their families. We have seen an increase in circulation, programming attendance, and summer reading participation.”
Bailey Giager brought her son, Trace Giager, to sensory hour ahead of the celebration, making use of the Family Play Space. Giager noted that this was the first time they had visited the library.
“It was really fun for him to come and play with different kids and socialize,” Giager said. “It gives us an opportunity to check out more books.”
Giager said she felt the space was beneficial to parents as well. “I think it’s good for mom, too, to get to be out,” Giager said. “So, it is a good mom and baby activity, for sure. We will definitely be back.”
Another mom, Ashton Parnell, said bringing her children to the library is more manageable than other destinations.
“It’s small, but it still has everything that the kids want to play with,” Parnell said. She also highlighted how clean the space is.
Kacie Dixon said she has been bringing her children to the library for nearly three years.
“We just think it is a fun, safe environment for the kids to come and learn. They get to hang out with some new friends and socialize, and we get to teach them a love of books,” Dixon said. “The staff here is wonderful. They are always so kind and patient with the kids, which is great.”
Dixon said she appreciates having an asset such as the library while living in a small town.
“It’s been quite a journey of learning, growth, and change,” Graven said of the efforts to become a certified Family Play Space.
Graven said that play is important for a child’s developmental growth, and said play can help children develop mental flexibility, problem-solving skills, emotional skills, and the ability to face their fears.
“Life-long friendships begin in this room, and it’s beautiful to see,” Graven said.
She highlighted that the space is a very important thing for local parents too. She noted that parents also get to socialize, and can learn of resources they or their child may need.
“The play space isn’t just for the kids, It’s very much for the parents and the community,” Graven said. “And, we are just getting started.”
During the celebration, several current and former library staff were recognized, including Carol Boone, Willie Markham, and Dawn Cruse.
“Congratulations Miss Willie, Miss Carol, and Miss Dawn. You all worked very hard on this,” Graven said.
Boone said she worked for the library for 18 years before her recent retirement.
“I enjoyed it very much, with the kids,” Boone said. “We played a lot, and I loved each one of them.”
Markham will celebrate 32 years with the library in October. “I’m glad that we finally got certified. It’s been a lot of hard work,” Markham said.
Cruse said working for the library is what she does in her retirement. In her previous career, she was a school counselor for students across all grades.
“This is just a fun social spot for our community,” Cruse said. “Parents network, kids play.”
Graven said she has enjoyed seeing the creativity of the children while they play, and seeing parents get down to play with their children.
“That’s exactly what it’s for, and it’s been a privilege to be a part of this,” Graven said.
The Parsons Public Library is open from Monday-Friday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Saturday: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.; and closed on Sunday. To learn more about the Parsons Public Library, visit parsonslibrary. org, or www.facebook.com/parsonspubliclibrary.
TOP: Trace Giager plays with a shopping cart during Sensory Hour at the library. ABOVE: Dawn Cruse, left, asks Mason Dixon, right, about the car he picked up at Parsons Public Library. Hannah Emberton / Sun Photos
