Hon. Karen B. Johnson Central Library - Schenectady Public Library

The Hon. Karen B. Johnson Central Library is the largest library in Schenectady County and the central library among the 9 locations across the county. It contains 180,000 volumes and serves a county population of 160,000. The Central Library is the second Family Place Library in the county library system and 2024 marks the 3rd year of active Family Place Library activities at the Karen B. Johnson library. The impact on the community is positive and the library is rich in support from library administration and staff. The library receives praise from the community as one of the many places providing an important community resource in early learning. With that said, librarians have adapted the Parent-Child Workshop (PCW) to meet the needs of our community and named it Stay & Play. 

The Youth Services Department offers story times, grab & go resources, and multiple events on a weekly basis. Youth Services Librarians repeatedly hear that socialization is one of the most important aspects of Stay & Play, toddler time and most library programs. Many families have made friends at Stay & Play that continue for years beyond. The play space is a valuable neighborhood resource in the busy urban landscape beyond the doors of the library. Learning through play is the foundation of a growth mindset, and that adaptive brain development is inherent to the Stay & Play experience and the experience of the library as a whole.