Baltimore County Public Library's two Storyville centers are being given new life this week as part of a refurbishing project.
The Woodlawn location will be closed Tuesday, Sept. 20, and re-open Wednesday, Sept. 21. The Rosedale location will be closed Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 21 and 22 and re-open Friday, Sept. 23.
Storyville, an interactive early literacy and learning center for children ages birth through 5, is designed for parents and caregivers to help children enter kindergarten ready to succeed. These early learning centers host interactive play stations where infants and preschoolers can explore and grow while engaging in developmentally appropriate activities. Books and activities at each site promote cognitive, motor, language and social skills, depending on the age group.
Storyville debuted in Rosedale in 2008 and Woodlawn in 2010.
The work being done includes fresh coats of paint, lighting replacements, portrait holes filled and a new play stove and sink in the Woodlawn kitchen.
While both locations are well-attended, — in fiscal 2016, Rosedale's Storyville had 60,112 visitors and Woodlawn's had 48,251 — there are no plans to add additional Storyville locations at this time, according to Erica Palmisano, a spokeswoman for the library system.
The $28,900 in repairs — $10,440 in Rosedale and $18,460 in Woodlawn — are being funded by the Foundation for Baltimore County Public Library, a nonprofit formed to provide additional resources for patrons.
"Thousands of children come through Storyville each year and scratches and dings are inevitable," said library youth services manager Marisa Conner in a statement. "We're thrilled that the foundation believes so deeply in the Storyville mission and wants the facilities to stay in tip-top shape."