Library children's room renovation is complete. Find out just how amazing it is!

Community members are rejoicing after completion of a three-month-long renovation of the children’s room at West Hempstead Public Library.

Regina Mascia, director of the library, said she worked as swiftly as possible to get the renovations finished, even though work could have been disrupted by a water pipe that had burst. Although causing damage to parts of the library, the rupture did not slow down completion of the children’s room. The room, which was re-opened on March 24, will now provide even more space than before.

“There will be new furniture, a new play area, and I think it’s going to be good for the community,” Mascia said in late January.

Along with these upgrades, the flooring in the children’s room was replaced. With the new deep blue-colored floors installed, the library is ready to bring back various services to the children’s room, such as story telling, sing-along events, Lego play, and more, library officials said.

“We service about 40 to 45 babies and toddlers for story times,” Kerry Nugent, head of children’s services, said.

According to Nugent, the renovations will help accommodate the community’s needs. “We’re really excited about the increased play space,” she said. “We didn’t increase the square footage, but the play space has been updated, increased in size, with many new fun and educational toys.”

One community member, Miriam Donath, said she plans to make use of the updated facility. Prior to the renovations, she would visit the children’s room “pretty frequently” with her daughter. “My now 8-year-old daughter has enjoyed browsing for books there since she was a toddler,” Donath said.

Donath said the children’s room “feels nicely updated,” adding that, “I'm in favor of anything that encourages more families with kids to use the library.”

Victoria Terranova, the children’s librarian, said she is extremely excited about the updated children’s room. “I’m looking forward to families coming in to get books and seeing them use the new play space as well,” Terranova said.

Terranova said she believes that the renovations will be beneficial to the development and education of young children.

“It has been stated through research that children learn through play,” Terranova said. “There are many toys in the new play area that will help with a child’s fine motor skills.”

She said that some of the upgrades to the children’s room include an expanded play area. “We received new furniture in the room as well,” she said.

Some of this furniture includes a new bench, tables and chairs for children to feel comfortable while they learn new things.

Terranova listed the stories and songs for toddlers in the children’s room among some of her favorite programs offered at the library. “All the programs are great,” she said.

Terranova said she “noticed a slight increase” in the number of children using the room now than before renovations started. “It tends to be busy on days when we have programs going on,” she said.

Nugent agreed that more children are making use of the room now. “I am seeing more families and some of the older kids coming back,” Nugent said.

One of Nugent’s favorite programs is story time because she said that kids can “meet new people and new friends.”

Nugent mentioned that in the future, she hopes to renovate the outside area for children to utilize. She wants to make it more “user friendly by adding benches and some fencing.”

Nugent said she is very happy how the children’s room turned out and is looking forward to seeing more people using the room’s services.