A few weeks ago, Shawna, Boo, Sparkles, Bruiser, and I all ventured out to visit a new-to-me library. The destination: Wethersfield.
The library was a quick drive from West Hartford and was easy to find. I was able to manuever Bruiser and Sparkles in their double stroller up the ramp in the front of the library and around the main floor to the elevators. We then headed down to the ground floor and found the children’s section.
Oh, and I can’t forget that on our way through the main floor, we passed this area with a self-serve coffee machine similar to the one we saw at the Farmington library. You can make a cup for just a $1.
Now, the main reason we were at this library was to have the kids test out the children’s section, but we also knew that on Wednesdays and Fridays, year-round, they have a drop-in playtime from 10am – 12pm along with a storytime at 11am. (check here for more information on their children’s programs).
One of the first play areas we saw when we arrived, was this great area that was fully enclosed. A little sign on the outside said that it was donated by the Wethersfield Moms Club. Well, thanks to them I actually was able to sit down and relax for a minute without having to chase my two little ones. Plus, they seemed to be very happy playing with all the activities available inside.
The entrance to the fully fenced in area.
Some of the toys inside.
Bruiser playing peek-a-boo in the playhouse.
Shawna modeling the parent resting area.
Right outside of this play area was an area with a train table and a few computers for the children to use. Sparkles thinks she is proficient in using a computer at 15 months and always goes straight for the electronics. Once I see her trying to take a bite out of the mouse, however, I am quickly reminded that she is still to “wittle” for this activity.
On the other side of the children’s section there is another play area. This one has another train table, a lego table, and more toys. On the downside (at least for me) my kids were able to escape from this play section. On the upside, though, there was a rack here filled with good magazines to pursue while the kids played.
Nearby there was also an area where the kids could play with puzzles. Bruiser did take a little spill off his stool, but other than that, they had fun.
After playtime, we headed over to the Children’s Program Room for storytime.
The room is located right by the first play area we visited. I did not take a whole lot of pictures of storytime because I thought that might look a little odd. But here is a picture of the room. Plus, there are more pictures of storytime and other events held in the Program Room here on the Wethersfield Library website.
Storytime was quick (about 15 minutes) and there was also a little song the kids could dance to. They seemed to be entertained by the session. Towards the end, I think Boo and Sparkles wandered to the back of the room to check out the chairs, but that was fine.
So after playtime and storytime, the kids, of course, began meltdown mode. It was lunch and naptime and they wanted to let us know. Before we headed out, though, I, of course, needed to check out the restroom situation. Now there ae two bathrooms that I saw in the children’s section: (1) one was very small and did not have a baby changing station and (2) the other was much larger (I could bring the stroller in it) and it did have a baby changing area. So if you have kids in diapers, head towards the back of the children’s section (past the stairs) and use the larger restroom.
Once we got back on the main floor, Shawna headed out with Boo and I made a pit stop with the twins to get a little food in their system before we got back in the car. I asked the nice librarians if it was ok to have food in the area near the coffee machine. They said that was fine.
So Bruiser and Sparkles chowed down on their “pouches” while I jealously eyed the coffee machine (I’m trying to stay away from caffeine while I’m pregnant). Then it was in the car and we headed home.
All in all it was a nice time at the Wethersfield Library. I think for the next visit we would just hang out in the gated area most of the time (at least until I can get at least one of the twins to acknowledge me when I call their name or until I am no longer pregnant and too tired to chase them :).
Tell us, what is your favorite Connecticut library?
THE MOMSENSE
Wethersfield Library
515 Silas Deane Highway
Wethersfield, Connecticut
860-529-2665
http://www.wethersfieldlibrary.org/
Get directions here:
Hours:
Monday 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Tuesday 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Wednesday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Thursday 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Friday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sunday 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (October through May)
Year-round drop-in playtime: Wednesday and Friday 10am – 12pm
Year-round storytime: Wednesday and Friday 11am; Saturdays 10:30am; all ages
Tips & Things to Bring
- If your kids are escape artists like mine, take them to the fully gated play area
- There wasn’t really any structure to the open playtime, it just seemed like it was a good time for kids to meet-up
- The storytime is quick, about 15 minutes
- The Children’s section is located on the ground level. When you enter the building from the parking lot, you are entering from the main level. Hidden away in the back, past the main desk and to the right is the elevator you can use if you are lugging a stroller
- The library has two train tables, a lego table, and a puzzle section (if any of those activities are particularly excited for your kiddos)
- There are two restrooms on the ground level. One is near the computers and is small and does not have a baby changing area. The other is located towards the back, past the stairwell and is much larger (I could fit the double stroller inside) and has a baby changing area.
- The library has other children’s programs. Click here for more details.
- The library was accessible with a stroller.
- Self-serve coffee is available for $1/cup on the main floor near the entrance.
COMING UP:
On Thursday, Shawna will show you where she and her family worked up that appetite for Joey Garlic’s.