In a 2024 US Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Mental Health and Well-Being of Parents, 65% of caregivers of young children reported feeling isolated and lonely following the pandemic. Eva Shapiro, associate director of early literacy programs and services for New York Public Library (NYPL), sees this as an opportunity.
“We can’t imagine a better third space than the library,” Shapiro told attendees of “Infant Programming Reimagined: Connecting Caregivers and Communities through Libraries,” a June 28 session at the American Library Association’s 2025 Annual Conference and Exhibition in Philadelphia. She and copresenters from NYPL discussed ways to make the library more welcoming and inclusive of infants under 18 months and their adult caregivers.
What makes people feel more welcome at the library? Simple touches such as clear signage, eye contact, smiles, verbal greetings, open seating, and clean spaces go a long way, said Amber Moller, manager of early literacy programming at NYPL.
For libraries looking to reconfigure their spaces, Moller said it doesn’t take much. NYPL, for instance, reconfigured its infant areas for about $2,500 to $4,500 per space—and some at even no cost. Sometimes it just means moving furniture or making materials more accessible, she noted.
“It grinds our gears when we walk into a space and all the board books are on high shelves,” Moller said.
Initiating free play and art programs after a storytime gives caregivers more time to connect and build community. At NYPL, staffers use low-budget activities such as sensory circles (hula hoops outfitted with textured objects like scarves, loofahs, bubble wrap, and cellophane), paper sandboxes (boxes with toilet paper, scarves, or streamers), and paint in a bag.
“In an art program, there’s a lot more passive time where families can get to know one another,” Moller said.
Shapiro also suggested that children’s librarians can engage caregivers and understand their needs by asking questions, including: Is this your first time at the library? How did you hear about this program? And, how does your baby like to play at home? Likewise, she advised that staffers can facilitate caregiver-to-caregiver conversations with strategies such as name tags and “I notice” statements.
The library should also assess when it chooses to hold storytimes, Moller recommended. “It might not be 10 a.m.,” she observed. “It might be 4 p.m., 5 p.m., or weekends … so working caregivers can attend.”
Presenters emphasized the importance of enlisting partners to help spread the word about the library’s offerings. Samantha Terrazas, manager of early childhood outreach for NYPL, suggested reaching out to WIC offices, pediatric clinics, breastfeeding support groups, baby yoga classes, and local doula services, for example.
“Offer to table [at their events], offer to sign up their families for library cards. Let them know you’re happy to attend, whatever the event is,” said Terrazas. “A lot of times they think library books—they don’t realize the resources libraries have.”
