A century of reading: Children's room at library is 100 years old
By GERI PARLIN / La Crosse Tribune
In 1905, the La Crosse Public Library did something amazing. It turned its second floor into a children's library.
"We were pretty cutting edge," said Sherri Sinniger, children's library programmer at the La Crosse Public Library.
Across the nation, the first children's rooms opened in the 1880s, so La Crosse wasn't far behind.
But those early days were tough going for young readers. They had to climb to the second floor of the library, and when they got there it was a room that looked pretty much like the rest of the library ?large chandelier, adult-size tables and chairs and a somber atmosphere.
Still, the younger set was pretty darned excited as was captured in the March 5, 1905, issue of the La Crosse Chronicle:
"An army of school children, one thousand strong, stormed the La Crosse Public Library yesterday when the juvenile department was opened and they took away with them 604 books."
Children were so excited, in fact, that they wiped out every children's book in stock.
"So great was the demand among the children that the entire supply of children's books became exhausted, and it was found necessary to close that department at 6 o'clock."
My, how things have changed.
For one thing, the library is in no danger of running out of books.
"In 2004, we circulated 230,096 items," Sinniger said. That includes everything from books to videos and CDs.
But that's not the only big change in the children's room. As anyone knows who has crossed the bridge into the children's room, there is nothing intimidating here. Instead, there are quiet places to read, fun places to giggle and play, and a big boat where kids can snuggle down and read books.
In the early days, supply had trouble keeping up with demand.
"Often, they had to ask those who lived near (the library) to give up books so others, who would otherwise have a long walk, could have books," SInniger said.
"The 1905 annual report talks about the lack of books," Sinniger said.
"Because of insufficient supply, we can give books out only as they are returned," according to the report. "The books will soon be worn out."
Nowadays, no child has to walk away from the library without a book. And often a visit will include a storytime, a play group or other special activity.
Etiquette and education were a bigger part of children's literature back then, Sinniger said. "Literature was more didactic. It was more teaching kids manners, teaching them the right way to live."
Now, she said, children's books are about fun.
And that's what the children's room is about, too.
"We have Longfellow, our resident giraffe," Sinniger said. He was purchased in the 1960s and received so much love that he had to be sent out in 1996 to have his legs and tail restuffed.
"We have puzzles and a puppet theater, board books for babies, made of heavier cardboard, so babies can't rip them. They can drool on them, and we can clean them right up. We also have videos and DVDs that people can check out for a week, and there's no cost. We have CD-ROM games for the computer and CD-ROM games to be played here."
The entrance from the main library to the children's room narrows down to provide as much of a noise buffer as possible.
"We get pretty noisy," Sinniger said. "It's not a surprise that we need a noise buffer. ... We have a lot going on here."
IF YOU GO
WHAT: La Crosse Public Library's centennial celebration of the children's room.
WHERE: At the La Crosse Public Library, 800 Main St., and the Masonic Center, 118 S. Eighth St.
WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 26. The celebration begins at 1 p.m. at the Masonic Center with music and stories by Randy Peterson, then children will be given kazoos and they will march back to the library for the rededication and cake cutting, then back to the Masonic Center for a 3 p.m. performance by Hans Mayer; tours of children's room from 4 to 5 p.m. with old-fashioned games.
THERE'S MORE: The Kiwanis Club has donated 1,000 copies of "Read to Your Bunny" by Rosemary Wells, to be given to the children; library staff will be in turn-of-the-century costumes.
INFORMATION: (608) 780-7128.
FUN FACTS
Children's room circulation figure in 1905: 8,933
Children's room circulation figure for 2004: 230,096
Total children's room circulation figure over 100 years: 8,208,682
Geri Parlin can be reached at gparlin@lacrossetribune.com or (608) 791-8225.
By GERI PARLIN / La Crosse Tribune
In 1905, the La Crosse Public Library did something amazing. It turned its second floor into a children's library.
"We were pretty cutting edge," said Sherri Sinniger, children's library programmer at the La Crosse Public Library.
Across the nation, the first children's rooms opened in the 1880s, so La Crosse wasn't far behind.
But those early days were tough going for young readers. They had to climb to the second floor of the library, and when they got there it was a room that looked pretty much like the rest of the library ?large chandelier, adult-size tables and chairs and a somber atmosphere.
Still, the younger set was pretty darned excited as was captured in the March 5, 1905, issue of the La Crosse Chronicle:
"An army of school children, one thousand strong, stormed the La Crosse Public Library yesterday when the juvenile department was opened and they took away with them 604 books."
Children were so excited, in fact, that they wiped out every children's book in stock.
"So great was the demand among the children that the entire supply of children's books became exhausted, and it was found necessary to close that department at 6 o'clock."
My, how things have changed.
For one thing, the library is in no danger of running out of books.
"In 2004, we circulated 230,096 items," Sinniger said. That includes everything from books to videos and CDs.
But that's not the only big change in the children's room. As anyone knows who has crossed the bridge into the children's room, there is nothing intimidating here. Instead, there are quiet places to read, fun places to giggle and play, and a big boat where kids can snuggle down and read books.
In the early days, supply had trouble keeping up with demand.
"Often, they had to ask those who lived near (the library) to give up books so others, who would otherwise have a long walk, could have books," SInniger said.
"The 1905 annual report talks about the lack of books," Sinniger said.
"Because of insufficient supply, we can give books out only as they are returned," according to the report. "The books will soon be worn out."
Nowadays, no child has to walk away from the library without a book. And often a visit will include a storytime, a play group or other special activity.
Etiquette and education were a bigger part of children's literature back then, Sinniger said. "Literature was more didactic. It was more teaching kids manners, teaching them the right way to live."
Now, she said, children's books are about fun.
And that's what the children's room is about, too.
"We have Longfellow, our resident giraffe," Sinniger said. He was purchased in the 1960s and received so much love that he had to be sent out in 1996 to have his legs and tail restuffed.
"We have puzzles and a puppet theater, board books for babies, made of heavier cardboard, so babies can't rip them. They can drool on them, and we can clean them right up. We also have videos and DVDs that people can check out for a week, and there's no cost. We have CD-ROM games for the computer and CD-ROM games to be played here."
The entrance from the main library to the children's room narrows down to provide as much of a noise buffer as possible.
"We get pretty noisy," Sinniger said. "It's not a surprise that we need a noise buffer. ... We have a lot going on here."
IF YOU GO
WHAT: La Crosse Public Library's centennial celebration of the children's room.
WHERE: At the La Crosse Public Library, 800 Main St., and the Masonic Center, 118 S. Eighth St.
WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 26. The celebration begins at 1 p.m. at the Masonic Center with music and stories by Randy Peterson, then children will be given kazoos and they will march back to the library for the rededication and cake cutting, then back to the Masonic Center for a 3 p.m. performance by Hans Mayer; tours of children's room from 4 to 5 p.m. with old-fashioned games.
THERE'S MORE: The Kiwanis Club has donated 1,000 copies of "Read to Your Bunny" by Rosemary Wells, to be given to the children; library staff will be in turn-of-the-century costumes.
INFORMATION: (608) 780-7128.
FUN FACTS
Children's room circulation figure in 1905: 8,933
Children's room circulation figure for 2004: 230,096
Total children's room circulation figure over 100 years: 8,208,682
Geri Parlin can be reached at gparlin@lacrossetribune.com or (608) 791-8225.
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