LIBRARY’S NEW CHILDREN’S ROOM A PLUS

After school every day, Elizabeth Damu would race across the street to the Ridgewood Library. Not to make sure her preferred reading hadn’t been checked out yet, but to guarantee a spot in the small children’s section or find a computer before they were all occupied. “Ten minutes from the time school ended,” she says, “the area would be filled up.”
Nowadays, thanks to the addition of a children’s-only floor in the basement, she no longer has to rush.
On Friday, March 10th, the Ridgewood Library, along with funding help from Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Borough President Helen Marshall, State Senator Serphin Maltese, State Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan and City Councilman Dennis Gallagher, officially opened the new $1.85 million Children’s Room - a 3,000 square foot brand new library space. In addition to six new computer work stations with filtered internet access, there are freshly stocked homework help books, picture books, a variety of pleasure reading, and hundreds of videos.
“This is an investment that will expand the imagination and creativity of a new generation of readers,” Borough President Marshall said.
“I think it’s amazing,” said Insessa Suler, the Ridgewood Library’s adult librarian. “Everything is brand new. There was not enough room before. We waited for this children’s room for a long, long time.”
Since the new floor opened, Suler estimated a 15% increase in children at the library. “I’ve seen faces I never saw before.”
Hema Mavinakere said her two children are part of the new crowd. Citing issues with overcrowding she did not bring her kids, Aril, 9, and Rara, 3, before. Now “that is not a problem.”
Located directly across the street from P.S. 93, the library’s after school and reading programs have seen increases in attendance.
Separated from the rest of the patrons, the children are advised to keep the noise level down, but not nearly to the extent as before when they shared space with the adult users.
“Because of the adults, they were restraining us before,” Damu said. “We were too noisy. ‘Don’t do this, don’t do that,’ they told us.”
Damu also said some of her classmates weren’t allowed to join because of her worries about mixing with strangers. Now with a security guard and a floor filled with children, that is no longer an issue.
“I am thrilled to have played a role in re-opening the children’s room at the Ridgewood Library,” Assemblywoman Nolan said. “As a child, I used the Ridgewood Library and developed a life-long love of books. I am proud to have secured State funds toward the completion of this meaningful project.”
“Each of these age groups really has different services that they need,” said Tom Galante, Queens Library Director. “Kids need their own space and adults would prefer space where they don’t have to be right there with them. When kids are studying and doing their homework, they tend to talk more, and they should be able to. The separate floor is a great setup for everyone involved,” Galante said.