Renovations in part of the Rowan County Public Library are expected to begin this summer.
The American Library Association awarded RCPL with funding for a new sensory play space. The area is intended to embolden early childhood development and encourage children to explore new sounds, textures, and flavors. Officials said the goal of the new room is to create an interest in learning for children in their formative years.
Morgan Mullins, Communications Manager for the Rowan County Public Library, said the new space will also provide a safe space for neurodiverse members of the community.
“It’s going to be a great space, I hope, for some of our neurodivergent adult community members. Who maybe need a quiet place to go, or they need some other form of stimulation. They will be able to go to this room and they will be able to engage with it,” said Mullins.
Mullins added the library is hosting a town hall meeting to better understand what the community would like to see in the new space.
“So, the town hall is us asking for folks to voice their opinions, and we want it to be their space. Just like we always want the community to be invested in us and to think of us as their space, their library. So, we’re essentially letting them decide what going to be in it, and then we’re going to execute our plans based on what they have requested,” said Mullins.
The meeting will be June 28 at 5:30 p.m. Families are encouraged to attend, especially those with young children who will benefit the most from the area. More information regarding the town hall meeting is available online at rowancountylibrary.org.