Play Library
People's Liberty located at 1805 Elm St directly across the street from Findlay Market always has something amazing happening in their Globe Space. They're been hitting home runs with their Globe Grants which allow an artist to take over the space for amazing interactive art installations.
The latest is the Play Library, like a regular library except instead of books patrons will check out games. There are borrowing memberships available but you can also take the games with a deposit. Julia Fischer is hoping to acquire enough memberships to make the Play Library permanent somewhere in OTR.
Tomorrow night, July 21st the Play Library will host Beer & Board Games from 6-10pm. The adults only (obviously) evening will feature games such as Cards Against, DrunkQuest and Exploding Kittens! I love Exploding Kittens, its kind of like Uno, except instead of shouting Uno your kitten explodes. If you are a fan of The Oatmeal you'll understand Exploding Kittens immediately.
It sounds like the Play Library host these every other Thursday so if you are child free and don't have kiddos to entertain, you can still take advantage and enjoy the library.
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7 exploding kittens!
Julia Fisher has done an amazing job on the Play Library! So creative and it's nice to have a place dedicated to fun for all.
ReplyDeleteFun for all as long as you have a spare cash and a parent who can accompany you. Too bad all you low-income kids!
ReplyDeleteWell aren't you a party pooper.
DeleteThe was a good mix of neighborhood kids when I dropped in. They had just gotten done sculpting robots out of fondant. How much did that cost? OH yeah it was a wallet busting $0!
And yes you probably have to watch your own kids there, I didn't see anything about a baby sitting service.
There are some pretty neat giant crayons making an appearance as well. ;)
ReplyDeleteAm I a party-pooper? I like to think of myself more of an advocate for children, especially those who are in one way or another disadvantaged (lots of ways to be disadvantaged besides economically).
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear there are some free events and services. The original article I read on the place didn't make that clear. Though I will point out that the PUBLIC library, which anyone can join for free, allows children to enter its doors,and hang around inside those doors, without parents/guardians.
I know a lot of us live in a subculture of helicopter parenting but really, elementary-school aged kids are quite capable of navigating their neighborhoods by themselves. According to the City Beat article, kids under fourteen aren't allowed in the Play Library by themselves. Maybe that rule has been suspended?
When I was thirteen, my friends and I were making our first forays into Manhattan on the subway (rule was, had to be at least three of you in a group, how our mothers all came up with the same rule...must have been conspiring behind our backs).
I digress. Aread you really claiming that nine year olds who take themselves to and from school everyday need to be babysat in the Play Library?
Signed,
Unknown/Blue Ash Mom
P.S. Anyone who is spending the type of money the Play Library claims families spend on toys ought to visit a Goodwill and/or the yard sales listed on Craigs List. And the Friends of the library warehouse in Carthage for cheap kids' books.
I'm child free so I wouldn't want to be responsible for anyone's child if I volunteered there.
DeleteBut in my defense you made it sound like low income kids couldn't get in. But in reality NO kids under under 14, rich or poor can get in without an adult.
The Play Library is in its infancy as a company and currently organized as a for-profit. Whether for-profit or non, it needs a sustainable revenue source to continue(ie memberships, events, etc.) She's considered the path to non-profit but its lengthy and wouldn't solve the gap post-Globe residency without a grant waiting for her. The intent is to build a sustainable membership base so that she can continue the project after her 2 months at the Globe.
DeleteThere is a significant social component. It's free to play in the store, it only costs money to check items out. She hosts numerous events and activities (also free). She has also been collecting donated memberships to be able to distribute to said disadvantaged households through neighborhood partner agencies. Its $20 to donate the ability to check two toys out at a time for the duration of the Globe pop-up. I'm sure if there's a way to get a donor that can make it free for all in the vain of a library or museum trust she'd be very interested to discuss. But the reality of the short term is it needs money to keep the program sustainable, and limitations on supervision is based on how much effort it is for a small staff to clean-up and put away items that are played with in-store (which is significant for the younger age range).
I'd encourage you to visit. I think you'd find a pretty open environment that is actively trying to have fund and do good in the neighborhood its located in (an active interest in People's Liberty's mission).