Beyond the Books: A Look Inside Waukegan Public Library

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LLC Loves libraries! In celebration of National Library Week we’re giving you a look inside some of our favorite libraries. Going beyond the books to the amenities, programs, and features that make them our favorite places.

3, 2, 1, blast off!

Looking for a library that will keep your preschooler busy? If you haven’t heard about the children’s department at the Waukegan Public Library, it’s time you have.

The room that will blow you away is their Early Learning Center. This space changes theme periodically. Currently, it is space-exploration themed.

This space is intended for ages birth to eight. It touches on many of the senses (not taste) and hits various foundational skills, such as colors, shapes, and letter and number recognition. Little ones will have a blast pretending to be an astronaut as they go in a rocket ship and click buttons, walk on the moon, and use astronaut gloves to explore various objects.

Have a little one who needs to be contained for a bit? There’s a special space to play with crawlers as well.

This space has tons of STEAM opportunities: building blocks, building bricks, computers, puzzles, and craft supplies.

While you’re there, you may want to check out story time. (I wrote a review on their story times as well. View it here.)

In addition to the ELC, the children’s department is very spacious. Unlike the way libraries used to be set up with books tucked into shelves with only the spine’s title to select from, many books are displayed. The shelves have a meandering feeling to them that lead you through to the back, where you’ll meet Lizzy, the library’s resident bearded dragon.

The children’s department has lots of space to sit and read or play a game. It also has 18 computers to either play or do homework on. This space is also for teens and is different from their young adult book collection and space.