Let’s Celebrate Mary Ellen Braks, Public Services Manager for the Spokane County Library District (SCLD).
Mary Ellen is being honored as a HOPE Community Champion for her work to increase access to the Emotional Growth building block for all families in Spokane County.
It is a privilege to interact with families and watch children grow and expand their skills. We do a lot of work creating spaces that feel safe for all families to be in. The libraries are designed to enhance emotional growth for children and adults.
The Spokane County Library District serves all residents in Spokane County, Washington with 11 full-service libraries. Their mission is to provide resources, experiences and places that empower people to learn, explore, and succeed. And do they ever!
Libraries serve as community gathering places, especially in outlying areas. Libraries are an especially important asset to new parents and caregivers who often feel exhausted, overwhelmed and isolated.
COVID impacted the interactions that we were able to have with families - We lost almost the entire toddlerhood of a generation. The children we knew grew and started school. It is nice to see families returning to programming.
Mary Ellen and the staff at the SCLD work hard each day to create a warm, welcoming, child-friendly environment where everyone feels that they belong.
We want parents, caregivers and children to feel comfortable in the library. Many elements make it a child friendly place. Staff are trained to be welcoming.
If a child is having a meltdown or trouble sharing, we help! We let them know that they are in a safe, supportive environment and that meltdowns and not sharing are developmentally appropriate behaviors for young children. We take it as an opportunity to connect with the caregiver and share a word of reassurance and model desired behavior.
One program that helps parents/caregivers connect with each other and the children they love is Play and Learn Storytime. Children from infancy through preschool learn while listening and playing with peers and caregivers. It is a wonderful way to create lasting memories and learn the skills that help children become ready to start Kindergarten.
Our staff learns the names of regular patrons and greet them by name. Our programming is designed to help children grow and learn. It is a safe place where children and adults can connect in a social setting and create good memories. Peer play is an important and essential component of getting ready for kindergarten.
Opportunities like these that foster emotional growth are critical for child development at all stages. Children need multiple opportunities to practice emotional and behavioral self-awareness and regulation skills and learn how to solve problems in productive ways.
We don’t just work with little kids; we have a Prime Time Family Program in partnership with schools for children ages 8-11 and their caregivers and it's a lot of fun. We read, discuss what we’ve read and share a meal together. It's a great way to build comfort and community. 75% of the children that attend that program become regular users of the library system.
The Spokane County Libraries are a wonderful place to learn about growing these skills. Access the links below to learn more about the expansive and wide-ranging community programming offered:
What's next for the Spokane County Libraries?
It would be good to know of other work happening in the county to support families with young children. We would love to share programming that we have, and which continues to expand as we become fully staffed again.
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