The is pleased to announce that its Burchell Children’s Room is the recipient of the 2012 “Best of Westchester” award from Westchester Magazine. The Library officially opened its much-anticipated children’s room in September 2010, following the completion of a $3.5 million renovation.
The new Burchell Children’s Room replaced a much older facility and has brought the library’s children’s room into the 21st century. Board Chair Pamela Dubitsky says, "The Library Board of Trustees is very proud of our wonderful staff and honored that our Children's Room has won this exciting award. Since being renovated, the Children's Room has become an essential 'go-to' destination for children in Larchmont and Mamaroneck; we know it will continue to attract many young families to our vibrant community."
The entire room was designed to enhance the learning experience of children and great care went into researching how children learn in today’s world. The renovation incorporated many elements into the design of the new children’s room that encourage play while stimulating learning and the development of early skills in literacy, mathematical thinking and problem solving.
“The Children’s Room was an instant success and has become a magnet to children and their parents”, said Miriam Curnin, library board chair from 2006-10.
“With its lively variety of activities and its warm atmosphere, it’s constantly busy with both scheduled programs and spontaneous visits. There’s so much to do that interests and delights children from infants on up and lays the groundwork for making kids lifelong readers, one of our primary goals.”
The Burchell Children’s Room is named for former Town Supervisor, George Burchell and his wife Peg, whose generous bequest of $750,000 was the impetus for the project. They were lifelong library users and in honor of their dedication and generous contribution the new children’s room bears their name. The Burchell’s believed that a public library is the heart and soul of a community.
“With this belief in mind, the Library Board worked tirelessly to mount a successful fundraising campaign comprised of donations from members of the community, grants, and support from the village and town”, said Diane Courtney, library director from 1995-2011. “The Board worked with library staff to create the vision of a new children's room. Every object in the room works to serve these goals.”
To learn more about the Burchell Children’s Room and for information about its many programs and events, visit the library’s website at www.larchmontlibrary.org.
