Situated in the business district of Midtown Manhattan, 58th Street Library is typically known as a library for adults—but not anymore. Within the last six months, it has steadily been growing  its offerings for its tiniest patrons.

The branch has a whole new budget dedicated toward having a children’s librarian, and it has begun to expand its role as a children’s center in the community. The branch now offers storytimes for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. And they've grown exponentially: 58th Street is now not only kid-focused, it’s quickly becoming the place to be for storytime.

“We were known for adult literacy, but now we’re a full service library and cover the spectrum,” noted Library Manager John Bhagwandin. 

The newly renovated children’s area, which was once the DVD/media collection, is now located right at the library entrance. It even has new furnishings: a new table, a multi-colored carpet, and, ultimately, an easier way for caregivers to read and play with their children.

On a recent Tuesday, toddlers are visibly fascinated by the books, windows, and people passing by as they wait with their mothers and caregivers to go upstairs to storytime with Leah Labrecque, their first ever children’s librarian.

Labrecque has been with the library for about six months, but she has already created, developed, and enhanced storytime with classes so popular they're now scheduled every day of the week. That morning, she started storytime by explaining the importance of reading and early literacy to the caregivers. Then, she sang and signed hello, slowly gaining attention from the little ones, some of whom signed along in response. As Labrecque started to read, toddlers became entranced with her voice and movement.

For the next half hour, the toddlers are—for the most part—engaged.

They sign along, wobble to touch the book, or interact with their caregivers. As the session comes to an end, Labrecque rushes to get ready for preschool storytime with classes from Lighthouse Guild, which holds programs for children with visual impairments. She showed off new literacy supplies, gushing over the materials she’d researched and discovered: touchable picture books, felt puppets, color boxes, scarves, and a brand new board to write rhymes on so  caregivers can simultaenously act out songs and sing along together with their child.

Labrecques' ultimate goal is to “make the library accessible to everybody," she said. “I want to create a warm and welcoming environment for babies, toddlers...for each age level. Storytime isn’t just about entertainment, it’s also developmentally appropriate...with a set goal.” Leah explains. She spends much of her time looking for props and conducting research.

But, she goes one step further: “I want to build a community between nannies, parents, kids, and books and foster a sense of community with new moms." 

And so far, she’s done just that.

As her second class begins, the branch's littlest patrons are still scurrying arond the branch: Babies play while caregivers check out books, toddlers wander into another storytime, and 58th Street hums along as it serves more members of its surrounding community—even some of its tiniest ones.