Salt Lake City Main Library

The Salt Lake City Main Library is more than simply a place to check out books. It is a gathering place for preschoolers and their families and a place to foster a life long love of learning. The casual atmosphere and variety of activities that are available for preschoolers assures that there will be something for everyone to do. The children's section of the Salt Lake City Main Library is very spacious and filled with preschooler sized furniture and activities. Preschoolers should always use their inside voices inside a library, but because of the layout and the space available sound does not travel as it does in other buildings so you do not need to worry about being embarrassed if your preschooler slips and is louder than you wanted them to be.

Furnished for Preschoolers

The children's section of the Salt Lake City Main Library is filled with preschooler sized couches and tables. Preschoolers will find many places that they want to curl up with a book and they will enjoy being in a place that is just their size. The drinking fountains have step stools in front of them so that independent preschoolers can get a drink without asking for help.

The restroom in the children's section even includes a preschool-sized toilet and preschool sized sink. For newly potty trained preschoolers this bathroom will be a novelty and something that they will remember as part of the fun they had going to the library. The preschool-sized toilet may even encourage reluctant potty trainees or preschoolers that are afraid of public restrooms to give it a try.

Fun Reading Spaces for Preschoolers

In addition to the preschooler sized furniture that preschoolers can use to read books in comfort, the children's section includes 2 large reading caves and several smaller ones. The "Crystal Cave" is a frozen wonderland with a skylight that preschoolers can sit under and look at the sky. Preschoolers can climb the stairs to a winter hideaway that sits beneath the sky light, perfect for reading a favorite book. There is plenty of seating with a bench seat that goes around the perimeter of the cave. If your preschooler prefers a more private location, a more secluded section of the crystal cave is located to the right of the entrance.

Grandma's Attic features a more rustic theme, but it is equally as fun with a carpeted reading loft for preschoolers who love to climb. The loft includes a preschooler sized rocking chair for comfortable reading. The lower level of the cave is open and spacious, with warm wood floors. A rocking horse sits in the middle for preschoolers who want to take a break from reading and get some energy out. This cave has stairs to climb and benches to walk across. Preschoolers will love reading and playing in this wonderful themed reading area.

There are several smaller caves that are cut out of the wall and provide a small, quiet area for preschoolers who would like to read on their own. These caves are too small for mom and dad to follow without ducking but they are very exciting to preschoolers who are anxious for a place of their own.

Computer Stations for Preschoolers

A computer station is located in a small cave in the wall. The entrance is low for adults but perfect for preschoolers. Several computers are available for use by preschoolers visiting the library and offer a variety of educational games and computer software. Many of the games are too advanced for preschoolers but that didn't stop my son from trying. He enjoyed the opportunity to play on the computer and use games with familiar characters in them, such as The Magic School Bus.

Preschool Story Time and Activities

The Salt Lake City Main Library offers many activities and events for preschoolers. A family storytime is put on every Monday night for children ages 2-8 at 7:00 p.m. This makes an excellent family activity and encourages your preschooler to get excited about reading. Preschool story times are put on at the Main Library on Wednesdays at 11:00 a.m. and Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. Additional times are offered at other Salt Lake City library locations.

Dog Day Afternoons is a fabulous literacy event that is offered at the Salt Lake City Main Library every Saturday afternoon from 1:00-3:00. Seasonal crafts and other events are put on throughout the year.

Amenities for Mom

A mothers room is provided in the children's section of the library for nursing mothers or mothers of infants that need some quiet time. A comfortable rocking chair is provided for soothing a fussy baby. There is a changing table located next to a sink for convenient diaper changes and clean up.

Photos courtesy of The Salt Lake City Library System and Rachel Lister