PORT ANGELES — The Port Angeles Library will host weekly Baby Playdates through Aug. 17, beginning Wednesday.
The playdates for babies and toddlers and their parents or caregivers will be from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the recently remodeled children’s section at the library at 2210 S. Peabody St.
More to play with
In addition to the early learning furniture and puppet theater already in the section, library staff will provide scarves, shaker eggs, and puzzles for more opportunities to play.
Parents or caregivers must be present at the unsupervised and casual community gathering.
The playdates are in conjunction with the annual summer reading program presented by the North Olympic Library System, which oversees public libraries in Port Angeles, Sequim, Forks and Clallam Bay.
Research shows that regular play can help children tell stories and learn vocabulary, both of which are critical early literacy skills, librarians said.
“Play is important for kids and families,” said Jennifer Knight, youth services librarian.
“A huge part of last year’s remodel at the Port Angeles Library was creating a welcoming, interactive space for families and kids to play in and explore.
“Baby Playdates are a way for the library to encourage play and build community.”
Reading program
The 2016 Summer Reading Program, which continues through Aug. 20, offers an array of events and a reading challenges to encourage children to continue reading throughout the summer.
For more information about the 2016 Summer Reading Program and other events for young people, visit www.nols.org, call the Port Angeles Library at 360-417-8500, ext. 7705, or send an email to youth@nols.org.
