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Library praised by families for having baby cribs attached to its desks

Home> Life

Published 12:17 14 Apr 2023 GMT+1

Library praised by families for having baby cribs attached to its desks

The new addition to the library is already very popular

Rhiannon Ingle

Rhiannon Ingle

One library has received an avalanche of praise from by families for having baby cribs attached to its desks.

Henrico County Public Library, based in Virginia, US, has totally revolutionised libraries after introducing the game-changing piece of kit that is being hailed as an 'amazing' invention.

All about providing inclusivity and accessibility for the local community - working parents clearly can't get enough of it.

One library has received an avalanche of praise from by families for having baby cribs attached to its desks.
YouTube/VCU Wilder School

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The library's director, Barbara Weedman, explained the reason behind her decision to bring in the baby-handling desks.

Once a single mum herself, Weedman began to notice how tricky it could be to parent in public spaces that weren't specifically designed with families in mind.

She told Insider: "I know how challenging it can be for caregivers to access things that are welcoming for them, much less intentionally designed for them, in public places."

After realising that other parents struggled with the same problem of trying to balance and look after a child while using the library's services, Weedman knew it was time for a change.

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Back in 2017, the director started to work alongside the community as well as a design group to bring her incredible idea to life.

When the Fairfield Area Library opened back in 2019, the revolutionary Computer Work and Play Stations were to be used.

"It's amazing to have access to something like that."
YouTube/VCU Wilder School

She recalled: "On opening day, a mother with an infant and a small child sat down at a Work and Play Station to use the computer and placed her children in the carrel - without having received any direction from staff.

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"It was gratifying to see that the design was immediately intuitive."

And the praise didn't stop there.

Matt Hansen, a local dad of a two-year-old, said the new stations were a great way to get some much-needed work done without having to faff around with a babysitter.

He said: "A couple of times a week, I need to hold some office hours to knock out some emails, place inventory orders, and take care of the many other things that require me to sit down at a computer to accomplish.

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"It's amazing to have access to something like that."

Whether its used by caregivers who 'may not have internet access at home' or just need 'a quiet place away from home to get a little work done', Weedman assures that all kinds of people are welcome to use the resources.

"We want the library to meet all their needs at once."
YouTube/VCU Wilder School

Hansen echoed her point, saying: "Whether you're answering emails and placing quick orders like me, or just need access to a computer to job hunt, pay bills or whatever you need, having the ability to put your kid in a safe place at arms reach where they can be occupied and not be strapped to your side for free is an amazing thing."

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The library director explained that the new desks are a great way that libraries can be 'supportive'.

She went on to call the Work and Play Stations 'a piece of infrastructure that helps meet information needs and makes our spaces more accessible and inclusive for caregivers of small children'.

Promoting a strong ethos that parents 'shouldn't need to arrange childcare' just to visit a library, Weedman stated: "We want intergenerational groups to visit us all together, and we want the library to meet all their needs at once."

Clearly overjoyed by his local library's latest addition, happy dad Hansen concluded: "I can't emphasise enough how amazing it is to have access to something like these as a public service."

Featured Image Credit: YouTube/VCU Wilder School

Topics: Real Life, Life, Parenting

Rhiannon Ingle
Rhiannon Ingle

Rhiannon Ingle is a Senior Journalist at Tyla, specialising in TV, film, travel, and culture. A graduate of the University of Manchester with a degree in English Literature, she honed her editorial skills as the Lifestyle Editor of The Mancunian, the UK’s largest student newspaper. With a keen eye for storytelling, Rhiannon brings fresh perspectives to her writing, blending critical insight with an engaging style. Her work captures the intersection of entertainment and real-world experiences.

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