Furniture Update Refreshes Children’s Library

Thanks to support from local sources, the Joplin Public Library’s Rosemary Titus Reynolds Children’s Library has been given a refresh with the installation of eight new pieces of furniture, three reupholstered chairs, three newly recovered window seats and a fresh and fun play carpet. After being open eight years and having more than 1.5 million visitors through the Library’s doors, many of those being families who frequent the Children’s Library, the space was due for some upgrades.

For the furniture, the Friends of the Joplin Public Library and Arvest Foundation came together in a collaborative effort, with Friends of the Joplin Public Library contributing $20,000 and Arvest Foundation donating $6,270. There are new chairs by the computer area and by the window seats, plus three chairs near the play area have been reupholstered. The ones by the computer area replace rocking chairs and are both larger, and easier to clean. The new chairs by the window seats also offer an easier to clean fabric, and replace chairs that were unfortunately malfunctioning, as the bearings were going out.   

For the circular window seats, the Library contracted with Branco Enterprises Inc to frame out and ready the window seat frames and Ken’s Kustom Upholstery to create brand new seats. The previous seats had separated from the walls and had several rips.

“These popular seats are such a favorite spot in the Library!  We knew they needed to be done correctly to ensure they’d stand up to years of wear and tear from book reading kids,” said Christina Matekel-Gibson, Youth Services Librarian.  Lastly, one of the most popular spots in the Library, the Children’s play area, located near the Storytime Room, has a newly installed large oval carpet for children to sit and play on.  The carpet features Pete the Cat, a well-known picture book character.

Thanks to the updates, the space has a fresh new feel and is ready to take on additional years of use from children and caregivers!