What Is A Librainium?

The word librainium is not found in the dictionary. However, if you live in Lakewood, have children under the age of five, and frequent the library, then you are probably familiar with this interactive play area. Located within the Children’s Department of the Lakewood Public Library, the librainium is filled with letters, shapes, textures, facts, and images that contribute to the development of early literacy skills in young children.

Have you noticed the large letters of the alphabet that are spread throughout the area? Start at the big letter “L” and look to the right. Did you find a green letter “A”? Continue along to the letter “K”. What’s next? Is that an “E”? Find more letters of the alphabet. Do you see a word forming? Could it be the name of a city? Now look for the big red letters that spell “HI” on the sides of the kitchen playhouse. If you look to the left and right you will find a pair of matching round tables with painted red circles. Those aren’t just decorative circles, but are the letter “O”. Help your child see the “O”, the “HI”, and then the other “O.” Put them together to reveal a word!

Perhaps you noted that the world map in the librainium is made of coins from various countries throughout the world. Try to locate currency from France, New Zealand, the country your family traveled to last year, or the country where your great-grandparents were born. Do the layers of curvy wood on the center bench remind you of anything? Here’s a hint: water. Did you recognize it as a relief map of the Rocky River? There are all kinds of amazing and delightful treasures to unearth in the librainium. Bring your children to the library and encourage them to explore. You may be surprised with their discoveries.