At Silver Spring Library, children have their own inviting space, the entire 5th floor of the library! We invite you to come and explore. It’s a great space for children to discover books, attend programs, do homework, read, use our computers, and play in our Early Literacy Center.

Step off the elevator or turn from the stairs and you see two halves to the 5th floor. On the left are materials for older children, generally those in elementary school. To the right is the baby, preschool, and beginner reader area. Wander from one to the other if you wish.

Here’s a look at the area for older children. Lots of books! Fiction and fact books and graphic novels.  You can also find audio books on CD, children’s magazines, family DVDs, and series books.

Try one of our internet computers for children with Microsoft Office software. Lots of children use them for homework and for fun, too! We also have AWE station computers. They are loaded with child-tested software that makes learning science, math, geography and reading fun.

Check out the area for younger children and
their grown-ups.  Explore our Early Literacy Center. It is designed with interactive structures for you and your child to enjoy and play with together.  Every corner is filled with opportunities to develop young children’s pre-reading skills and help them become lifelong readers and learners.

There are plenty of board books for babies and toddlers. Those are the hard-backed ones designed help very young children learn how books work.

Picture books get lots of room here, too!  Picture books are the foundation of reading together with parents and developing a love of stories and learning and reading! They’re great entertainment even for older children and adults.

Try out our AWE learning station computers for younger children.  Learn letters and numbers, follow puzzles, draw pictures, play with shapes, and more!

Our children’s program room is where storytimes and other special children’s programs take place.  It’s a glassed-in room right in the middle of the 5th floor. You can even watch what’s going on from outside the room!  Try out our many storytimes:  Baby Storytime, Toddler Storytime, Preschool Storytime, Science and Math storytimes, Pajama Storytime, bilingual French and English Storytime, and more!  Come build with Legos on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.  Sometimes we have dance sessions, crafts, and more!

We also have a Reading Nook. This is a quiet room away from the usual bustle where parents and children can sit and read together. This is also where we have our monthly Read to a Dog program. Great nonjudgmental reading practice especially for new readers!

The children’s floor at Silver Spring Library is truly a special space.  Come explore!