It’s official!
Canyon Lake’s beloved Tye Preston Memorial Library (TPML) is now a designated Family Place Library.
TPML Library Director Natalie Shults and Youth Services Librarian Betsey Leitko made the announcement at a Thursday meeting with Family Place Libraries National Coordinator Kathleen Deerr.
Family Place Libraries is a national research-based initiative designed to develop and promote an enhanced, family-friendly environment by transforming libraries into community centers for literacy, early childhood development, parent education-and-engagement, family support and community information.
Shults said TPML will offer Family Place Workshops beginning in 2023.
“The workshop is a series of programs for children ages 1-3 and their caregivers to learn through play and interact with community professionals about early childhood development,” she said.
TPML sought certification as a Family Place Library in 2019 after the Texas State Library and Archives Commission awarded it a grant.
Former Library Director Roxanna Deane and Leitko flew to New York City for a three-day intensive training in Family Place Library principles and practices.
“Becoming a Family Place Library really deepened the library’s connection to the community and gave us the resources to become a welcoming place for families,” Deane said. “Children have been known to cry when they have to leave the library.”
Shults said Family Place toys are available in the children’s area of the library, along with a collection of parenting resources.
To learn more about Family Place Libraries click here.
