Mitchell Library in The Woodlands recognized as Family Place Library

THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- The George & Cynthia Woods Mitchell Library will be formally recognized as a Family Place LibraryTM on Thursday, February 15, 2018.

By earning this designation, the George & Cynthia Woods Mitchell Library will join more than 500 sites across 31 states that have committed to serving as a hub for healthy child and family development within their communities.

Kathleen Deerr, the National Coordinator of Family Place LibrariesTM, will make a formal presentation in the Children’s department of the library at 10 am. MCMLS Library Director Jerilynn Williams, along with members of the Library Advisory Board, the South Montgomery County Friends of the Library, and other local dignitaries, will be in attendance as the official banner is presented and the library’s Play-Learn-Grow space is dedicated.

Library staff have been working to earn this designation during the past year and a half. Laura Harper, MCMLS Children’s Coordinator, and Mitchell Library Children’s Librarian Shelly Lane, traveled to the Family Place Training Institute in New York for a 3-day intensive training in Family Place Library principles and practices.

The training was followed by the implementation of an early literacy play area in the library to encourage child development through play. The addition of books, toys, music, and multimedia materials for babies, toddlers, parents, and service providers to the library’s collection as well the presentation of a five-week program of workshops promoting healthy child development and early literacy skills were significant steps in the implementation process.

As a Family Place LibraryTM, the George & Cynthia Woods Mitchell Library strives to ensure that parents and caregivers of young children recognize the library as a place to play, learn, and grow.

The George & Cynthia Woods Mitchell Library, located at 8125 Ashlane Way in The Woodlands, TX, is a branch of the Montgomery County Memorial Library System. Mitchell Library’s participation in the Family Place LibrariesTM movement has been supported by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, and a State-funded grant from the Texas State Library and Archives Commission.

Family Place LibrariesTM is a nationwide network dedicated to helping libraries build healthy communities by nourishing healthy families. A proven change agent, Family Place Libraries TMsupports the transformation of libraries into community centers for early literacy and learning, parent education and engagement, family support and community connectivity, in order to help ensure that all children enter school ready and able to learn. Learn more about Family Place Libraries at http://www.familyplacelibraries.org/.