Pekin Public Library Installs Light Board in Youth Services Department
The Pekin Public Library recently added a new attraction to the Youth Services Department! Everbright, a large light board, has been installed on the wall to the left of the department’s entrance. Everbright reimagines a giant Lite-Brite, but uses dials, rather than pegs, to change the colors to make pictures or designs. Hundreds of dials easily rotate through a spectrum of 158 different colors. At 2 ½ feet tall by 8 feet long, several kids can use the light board at once.
Everbright is the latest addition to the library’s growing collection of interactive play stations to encourage early literacy. Literacy comes in various forms, not just reading. This light board helps develop the building blocks for early literacy; engages young learners in geometry and mathematical thinking; and builds spatial intelligence and logical problem-solving skills. In addition to the light board, the Youth Services Department purchased several interactive play stations last fall, which we named the “Pekin Play Cafe.” This play area is open Monday–Friday from 9am–2pm in the Teen Domain and on select Early Release Days. Thank you to the Friends of the Library, Ameren, and Lila Hoffert for their financial gifts to fund these unique additions to our library.
Join us over Spring Break, April 1–6, to try out the light board, and enjoy various activities to entertain the kids, while continuing to support their literacy advancement. We’re providing “drop-in” activities all week for the upcoming Solar Eclipse, as well as a Dragon Scavenger Hunt. Bluey fans are invited to a special “Bluey” themed storytime on Monday, April 1, at 6pm or Wednesday, April 3, at 10am. We’ve planned a Medieval Adventure on Friday, April 5, from 10am–4pm. Kids can decorate crowns and shields, create a catapult, and play Medieval games.
Our online event calendar at pekinpubliclibrary.org offers a complete list of free activities for all ages, including weekly storytimes, special events, and more.