Children’s Discovery areas offer a safe, creative space for children to explore and learn which strengthens their cognitive development. The discovery areas in each library are designed to prompt exploratory and play-based learning through interactive environments and innovative displays.
Currently, there are no free and accessible learning and discovery centers in Deschutes County for babies, toddlers, and young school-age children. This absence of resources can lead to a decrease in kindergarten readiness.
Discovery centers in each library will be free of charge. The Library is working with a highly respected design firm to develop functional and interactive spaces specifically designed to activate interest, encourage exploration, and foster connection.
We are raising $5 million to cover the costs of the customized design and creation of these innovative discovery and learning spaces within all community libraries.
Each library includes an experiential environment designed to engage young visitors. These interactive spaces encourage social and imaginative play and can be easily rearranged to become elements of make-believe play.
Playful shapes are designed to support seating at a variety of heights and can be arranged to create nooks and crawl-through portals.
Specially designed for Deschutes Public Library, these mobile carts serve as interactive play and learning stations. Their flexible design enables them to be moved between and used in all libraries, ensuring a constant variety between locations.
This explorer trailhead example offers prompts that can be customized by library staff to encourage kids to explore nearby books curated by the library. Questions can be changed daily to encourage ongoing discovery and to ensures a new experience every visit.
The carts found in updated branches will include tops designed for exploration and interactivity. For our youngest visitors and their caregivers, a simple mobile offers a way for infants to play and learn. An angled mirror allow the caregiver to see the infant from a new perspective.
This unique staircase in the new Redmond Library serves as a creative element for children and adults to enjoiy.