Sources: The Power of Play: Designing Early Learning Spaces

The Power of Play: Designing Early Learning Spaces. By Dorothy Stoltz, Marisa Conner, and James Bradberry. Chicago: ALA Editions, 2015. 224 p. Paper $55 (ISBN: 978-0-8389-1255-3).

The Power of Play: Designing Early Learning Spaces is a discussion of how libraries are reinventing space to offer “play and learn opportunities” (xiii) to families. Predicated on the idea that play and interaction with caregivers enhances literacy learning, this book is designed as a hands-on guide in developing a library plan to implement early literacy play spaces in libraries of all sizes and budgets.

Stoltz, Conner, and Bradberry invite libraries to explore many dimensions of play. In the first section, “The Magic of Play,” the authors discuss the importance of play through the centuries, capping it with examples of three public libraries whose play spaces enhance early literacy learning. Each discussion includes examples of how play can be used to reinforce pre-reading skills through interaction of parent and child and how the librarian can model interaction in these innovative play spaces. The second section, “Play and Learn Destinations,” describes transformation at three public libraries. In the third part of the book, “Mindful Planning and Creative Design,” the authors describe easy step-by-step methods for creating and renovating early learning spaces. This discussion covers types of themed areas, types of toys, use of a designer (or not), working within different budgets, staff training, and floor plans for small, medium, and large projects. The last chapter is inspirational and motivational, filled with comments from parents and caregivers on how these “playscapes” and interactions encourage literacy learning in their children. The many appendixes include sample surveys for customers, activity plans, logic models, activity sheets, a list of companies and resources, and sample play-and-learn guidelines for use as the library designs an early literacy space. Additionally, the book includes a companion website with printable documents from the appendixes. Clear, direct writing with lots of explanatory photographs, diagrams, and floor plans makes this book accessible to the public library audience for which it is written.

“Transforming underutilized public spaces into dynamic early learning places is a great starting point to help families do their best for their children” (xiii). Stoltz, Conner, and Bradberry have provided the research, developed the plan, and given step-by-step instructions for turning any library into an early learning space. What are you waiting for?—Jenny Foster Stenis, Reader’s Services, Pioneer Library System, Norman, Oklahoma