Facelift will feature reading nook and star-bright lighting

By Colleen Gundlach
Photo by Savage Frieze

Generations of Norfolk children have spent many happy hours in the Children’s Room at the Norfolk Library. Originally located in what is now the Reference Room, the Children’s Room moved to its current location about 30 years ago when the beautiful addition was built. That room, with its welcoming make-believe turret reminiscent of the overall architecture of the building, has housed untold numbers of story hours, Corner Clubs, special programs, pajama story times and individual play and reading times. Now the room is slated for a facelift that will enable it to welcome many more generations of children to come.
Children’s Librarian Eileen Fitzgibbons says part of the impetus behind the renovation is to make the space more comfortable for relaxing and reading and for adults who accompany the children. The seating will be made more accessible to adults, who can’t sit comfortably in small, child-sized chairs, and a comfortable reading nook is planned for the window on the east side of the room. “We want it to look classic but kid-friendly,” she says.
The overall look of the new design is planned to be “more magical,” according to Fitzgibbons. “There will be sparkly paint on the ceiling and new, fresh colors. We will also lighten up the heavy, boxy look of the bookcases and make them easier for children to reach.” Each bookcase will be stepped back a bit to create platforms where children can build with Legos, play with cars and trucks, or just read. Plans are also underway for a more accessible sink area and a new, updated bulletin board, perhaps a magnetic one.
Ann Havemeyer, the library’s director, is enthusiastic about the new look for the Children’s Room. “We have a high, wonderful ceiling in this room that one rarely notices,” she says. “We are planning to paint the ceiling blue and will have a new chandelier called ‘Ursa Major,’ which will replicate the constellation in LED lights.” She stresses, though, that the original cove molding surrounding the ceiling will not be disturbed, nor will the woodwork. “We want to add to the room, not change it,” says Havemeyer. “It needs to be integral with the building as a whole.”
Cabinetry in the hallway leading to the Children’s Room will be remodeled as well, to make it multifunctional. It will accommodate children’s backpacks and coats when the kids get off the school bus for afterschool programs at the library.
Some of the funding for the project is being provided by the Library Associates, says Havemeyer. “The fundraising the Associates did was so successful this year that they were able to support a good portion of the project.” The remainder of the costs will be borne by the library itself.
Demolition of the Children’s Room will begin the second week of February, with completion expected in early spring. “Chris Peterson is doing our woodworking,” Havemeyer says. “He is constructing the woodwork off-site and will deliver it complete. He has done work for us in the past in keeping with the ambience of the library as a whole.”
Children’s programs will continue uninterrupted during the process, with most programs being relocated to the Great Hall. “It will be lively in the Great Hall this month,” says Fitzgibbons. “We will shake things up out there.” All of the children’s books and DVDs will be relocated temporarily to the Reference Room, where they can be checked out as usual.
A grand reopening celebration of the Children’s Room is planned for late spring, but the room is expected to be open again by April.