Official Press Release from The Yonkers Public Library
The Yonkers Public Library will celebrate the newly designed children’s room The Cove at the Riverfront Library with a two-day open house on Tuesday, April 18 and Wednesday, April 19, 2023 from 11 am to 2 pm. The two-day event is open to the public and will feature a ribbon cutting ceremony with Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano and other elected officials, story times, children’s musical performance and information tabling with community partners.
Designed as a multi-purpose indoor play and learning destination for pre-k children, The Cove renovation was conceived with input from Sarah Lawrence College‘s Children’s Development Institute. It recognizes play as a crucial element to early childhood development – something that improves the cognitive, physical, social and emotional well-being of children.
The space features a nursery gym, a dramatic play area, reading nooks, riding and rocking toys, blocks and other manipulatives.
“The Cove is a catalyst for the library to reimagine the way children play, socialize and learn,” said Jesse Montero, Library Director. “As one of the sole indoor play areas in the downtown, the space has already become a play and social destination for young kids and their caregivers who also get to discover new library books, programs and services whenever they visit.”
Furniture and play equipment for The Cove was purchased in part with funding from a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and through increased capital investment from the City of Yonkers.
“Educating and inspiring our children requires continued investment in the spaces and resources they share outside the classroom,” said Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano. “We are committed to supporting our Yonkers Public Libraries as they develop and foster learning at every level. Congratulations to the YPL leadership and staff for creating this creative and imaginative space for our young residents to enjoy.”
Schedule of Events:
Tuesday, April 18, 2023
- 11:00 am: Children’s Storytime
- 11:45 am: Free play in The Cove and information tabling with partner organizations and tours of other new library spaces
Wednesday, April 19, 2023
- 11:00 am: Ribbon cutting ceremony with Mayor Spano and elected officials
- 11:30 am: Musical performance with Zev
- 12:00 pm: Free play in The Cove and information tabling with partner organizations and tours of other new library spaces
