Avon Free Public Library

UPDATE September 2015: This post is from 2014 and it is possible that it may contain some out-dated information. While this post should still give you a great idea of the overall experience, please be sure to check the Avon Free Public Library’s website for details on the library hours and class schedule.

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Last week we received a Facebook message from a mom asking about reasonably priced children’s programs for her young son. She mentioned that he enjoys the consistency of attending structured classes, but enrolling him in multiple classes each week wasn’t in her budget. She asked if we had suggestions for classes that would offer an affordable alternative.

I loved this question and was excited to respond!

While Shawna and I have had the opportunity to take our little ones to some amazing children’s classes, we don’t have a limitless budget when it comes to kids activities so we like to mix outings, with paid classes, and FREE classes or programs.

In the “free classes and programs” category, one of my favorite options is, of course, the library, with the Avon Free Public Library being at the top of my suggestion list.

I’ve actually written about the Avon library before but that was waaaay back in 2012. During that time I was pregnant with Sweetheart and trying to keep up with two one-year-olds. I was a bit overwhelmed during that season of my life and I actually don’t even know how I captured the handful of pictures I used in that post! So it was probably time for a little update.

Plus, during my visit in 2012, the library was still in the middle of their major renovation project. Now with the project complete, I was excited to get a chance to bring Sweetheart to a class and get some pictures of their updated space!

Let’s start with a library tour . . .

The Avon Free Public Library is located off of Country Club Road in Avon (of course) and is pretty easy to find. Parking for the library is free and situated right next to the building.

The entrance to the building is on the side.

After you enter the main doors, go through a second set of doors and take the elevator (on your left) to the children’s section located on the second floor.

Right as you get off the elevator, there is a space to the right where you can hang coats and other winter items.

Then you can turn around and take in the wonderful space.

Actually, one thing I really like about this library is that the children’s section is basically one large space. A nice feature when you are trying to keep an eye on your little ones. Like Shawna mentioned in her recent post about the NEW Glastonbury playground, sometimes it is nice to have a place where you can enjoy a cup of coffee (yes you can bring your own coffee!), and maybe catch up with a friend, while your little one plays. That is definitely an option here.

To one side of the children’s section is a set of doors. This area is home to the library’s classrooms. More details on those spaces in a second.

The library’s children’s section is filled with inviting spaces throughout. One of my favorite areas is this little reading nook. Not only is it a comfy spot where kids can curl up with a good book, but it is surrounded with an amazing mural created by local Connecticut artist, Ted Esselstyn. The mural was actually created in memory of an area teacher.

The same artist also created the mural surrounding the library’s puppet theater area. You may recognize his work because it is included in many libraries and children’s spaces all across our state.

Here is another great area where parents can relax and keep an eye on their children while they play.

And you can’t have a library play space without a train table!

This is a fun area for the kids as well. All sorts of items to touch and try.

I loved this spot as well. A yoga center for kids of all ages. Mats are on the floor, ready to be used and cards with a variety of yoga positions are displayed on the wall.

And there were a few other spaces to explore.

That day, Sweetheart and I enjoyed a tea party while we waited for her class to begin. We were checking out the Thursday morning drop-in Music and Me program designed for children ages 4 and under. While this Thursday (November 13th) is actually the last day for this class for this session, the program will begin again in January.

And speaking of classes, there are a lot of options at the Avon Library. You can check out their site for all the details, but here are the basics.

Both drop-in and registration-required classes are offered
Registration for classes can be completed in person or online
Registration is opened for Avon residents first followed by non-residents

Right now, many of the library classes are winding down for this session, but there are still a few classes you can catch over the next few months.

November 13th
- Music and Me at 10:30 am (ages 4 and under)
November 14th
- Silly Stories at 10:30 am (ages 4-6)
- Movin’ and Groovin’ with Mr. Tim at 1:30 pm (ages 4 and under)
December 8th, 15th, and 22nd
- Mother Goose on the Loose at 10:30 am (ages 2-4)
- Open Art Studio at 11:00 am

Before the class began, Sweetheart and I checked out the program space. The library requested that I only take pictures of Sweetheart during the program, so I wanted to get some shots of the space before anyone arrived.

First of all, to get to the classes, just head through the doors located in the back corner of the children’s area. This is the area where the music program was held. They even had a mini door for the kids to use. Cute, right?

Inside there were two spaces. To the right was the space for the class.

And to the left was the classroom used for their open art studio (a drop-in art program) and their sensory class. The week I was visiting, the class was going to be opening up pumpkins and letting the kids touch and feel what they discovered inside.

The Music and Me class that we took that morning was really, really cute. Unfortunately, I did a very bad job of trying to capture pictures of Sweetheart participating in the class while attempting to keep other little ones out of my picture. So really the only half-way decent picture I took was this one. Not too helpful, right?

But the class was so much fun. There was singing, dancing, book reading, and lots of playing with scarves and musical instruments. The class even ended with a parade throughout the library which was the highlight of Sweetheart’s morning.

By seeing the structure of the class that we participated in and by reading through the information on the other programs offered at the library, I could tell that a lot of planning and dedication is put into the programs at the Avon Free Public Library. They have two wonderful spaces where the children can learn and explore and they are using them to offer great programming for the community. Definitely worth checking out.

Oh, and one other great thing about the Avon Library, the kids can eat in the children’s section! Bring lunch or a snack and let them get their fill before they pass out during the car ride home. The library just asks that you not bring peanut products and that drinks are in containers with a lid. Easy enough!

So don’t feel like every day of the week has to be filled with paid programs, there are FREE spaces and programs at our libraries you can enjoy. Check out what is offered at your local library or venture out to a library located a few towns over. Most of them will be offering drop-in programs through the end of the year and will be releasing their winter schedule soon. Check out what they have to offer and consider signing up for a class or putting one of their drop-in programs on your weekly schedule. I think you will be impressed with what you find!