Child-centered library of Koosha House of kids was reopened

On Monday 7 September 2015 the child-centered library of Koosha House of kids was opened in the basement of Dabir-ol-Molk Toys and Health House and started its service for kids and adolescents in the neighborhood. This library is equipped with quality books which are categorized for different age-groups and  book reading sessions and related book activities will be held in this center.

This place was used as a social service center which wasn’t well-equipped and in good condition. After consulting and cooperation with Read with Me experts the idea of maintaining a child-centered library was formed. A library which attracts children and adolescents to reading not by classic methods but in a creative and impressive way. By the supports of the Institute for Research on the History of Children’s Literature in the framework of Read with Me project and by the efforts of tutors and authorities of Dabir-ol-Molk House  this idea came to action.

Establishing child-centered libraries in deprived areas is one of Read with Me project goals, libraries equipped with quality books in shelves and furniture appropriate for children. In child-centered libraries of Read with Me in addition of quality books availability, decoration and layout is also specially considered. In these libraries the shelves are designed somehow that children can easily reach the books and enjoy the visual arrangement of the library.

In the Koosha House of Kids library (Dabir-ol-Molk) there are cozy and comfortable spaces embedded for children and seasons were inspired for the decoration.

In the opening ceremony of Koosha House of Kids library, the children were present with their families. At the beginning of the ceremony one of the tutors talked about the reason of the ceremony and importance of opening the library. The children played and sang with their tutors. A group of children performed a play which was prepared by themselves and the ceremony ended with cutting a cake and serving children and mothers. Also a Read with Me expert was present at the ceremony and read aloud a book for children.

Koosha Kids House has started its activity in Dabir-ol-Molk Toys and Health House concentrating on working children in Emamzadeh Yahya neighborhood, Baharesten since 2001. Dabir-ol-Molk historic house which has been restored by Tehran Municipality, now is a place for educating, training and playing for Labour children and the children from low-income families. Last summer the tutors of the center attended Read with Me workshops to enrich their activities. Afterwards Read with Me project was officially started in this center since October 2014.

This post is also available in: Persian