TPL’s middle childhood initiative is a research based approach to serving school-age children. Unique in the public library field, it outlines the value that public libraries can bring to self-directed, interest-driven learning, reading for joy and pleasure and promoting creativity and innovation. Animated and facilitated by expert staff, the public library fosters creativity, self-discovery, exploration, collaboration and innovation for this age group, making the library a destination for all children and families as they grow.

The middle childhood initiative is a coordinated, research based approach. Services, programs and spaces for children six to 12 are agile and adaptable to branch size and resources. The initiative promotes quality standards and builds staff understanding of developmental needs of children and relevant programming. TPL has an opportunity to build spaces that combine emerging technology and innovative design that give children agency to engage, discover and create their own learning environment.

This initiative builds staff knowledge and expertise in child development, including reading and learning. For children, it fosters critical, creative and divergent thinking skills, provides meaningful and intentional literacy and learning opportunities through fun and play, and supports the unique academic and personal pursuits of each child. This approach to middle childhood establishes the library as a destination for families and empowers parents as they support their child’s learning journey.