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Date: 12/12/2018
AGAWAM – The library may be a great place to check out books, but it’s also a great place to learn. This month, Agawam Public Library unveiled Exploration Station, an interactive area for children to get involved in science.
Exploration Station, funded in part by a grant from the Osterman Family Foundation, helps introduce children to the concept of learning science through means outside of reading books. Pamela Weingart, Children’s Librarian at Agawam Public Library, shared the goals of the library in setting up Exploration Station. “We wanted to expand art, math, science and technology offerings. First, we made a math corner, which was very popular. To compliment that, we decided to do a science center in addition to the math center.”
Children are welcome to drop in during library hours to utilize the Exploration Station. The area includes tools such as kid-safe magnifying glasses and test tubes. Weingart shared, “We change up the materials periodically to keep it fresh. Right now, we have tubes with different liquids inside of them so you can think about density and what it’s like to mix them up. We have a lot and they are all interactive.”
Exploration Station is best suited for children aged three and younger. However, it is open to all ages.
Weingart believes it’s important to have Exploration Station available to young learners at the library. “Libraries have books and that’s important. But we also want to create lifelong learners, which is more than loving to read, it’s loving to learn. By having these stations, we are able to reach people who not yet love books, but love the library.”
The Agawam Public Library hopes to become a place of gathering as well as learning. “We want to make the library more than just a room of books. We want to make it a community center where people will come play and teach their children.”
The library is always changing it up to keep children interested and fascinated by education. “Before we got the math table, we had a craft table. Right now, we have all three. We are trying to have different stations across the library. We have things that change often, it’s great for the kids.”
The Exploration Station is located in the Children’s Room near the toys for young children. It is free to use during open hours.
To learn more about Agawam Public Library, please visit www.agawamlibrary.org or call 789-1550. The Agawam Public Library hours are Monday-Thursday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.