Staff writer
Children and their parents will benefit from money given by the community foundation to the Hillsboro City Library in the near future, as painting and remodeling efforts near completion for a new children’s area.
“This library has been here since the ’70s, for about 40 years, and this is the first time we have ever repainted and created a special area for children,” said librarian Delora Kaufman.
Kaufman said the library was funding the painting project and foundation funds are being used to create reading kits for children, parents, and families to use at the library.
“We are following new Kansas guidelines for the 6X6 program,” Kaufman said. “This will teach six reading skills to young patrons by the time they are six-years-old.”
To facilitate use of the reading kits, Kaufman said she was in the process of moving a central table into the children’s area and reorganizing kit activities pieces such as flannel graph boards and figures, magnetic boards, puzzles, games, even a laminating machine.
“Eventually the laminator will be open for the public to use on Tuesday mornings,” Kaufman said. “But this is new and I am just learning it today, so that will be available to others sometime in the future.”
For now, bright yellow and red paint liven up a formerly drab corner as plans for the children’s area continue to evolve.