Plymouth District Library's Midnight Forest playspace offers families a climbable tree, a slide and a toy checkout system on the Youth Level at 223 S. Main St.
The space opened June 10 with a ribbon cutting and grand reopening celebration. It features mounds and balance beams for active play, a turf area for imaginative games, a dedicated Baby Nook for infants not yet walking, and an integrated workspace where caregivers can supervise while they work.
The playspace caps a year-long renovation the library funded through planned savings and investment. That project also added expanded reading areas, individual study and group collaboration spaces, a reimagined technology commons, more natural light, and upgraded HVAC, lighting and technology infrastructure, according to Plymouth Today.
Lauren Baker, the library's youth services coordinator, told Plymouth Today in July that the space changes how families use the building. "Through play, children develop language, problem-solving and social skills," Baker said. "This new magical space will help the library continue to be an engaging place where learning is accessible and inclusive …"
Amal Marini, a Plymouth patron and mother of a 4-year-old and a 3-year-old, told the publication in July that her family had watched the construction through a plastic barrier during weekly visits. "The new play area is great because the kids love to move and use their imaginations," Marini said.
Toys in the Midnight Forest are available to check out at the Youth Help Desk. Patrons browse a toy menu and hand staff their library card. The library rotates the selection periodically. A dollhouse, toy kitchen and other items are expected to arrive in the coming weeks and months, according to the library's visitor guide. Friends of Plymouth District Library funded the additional play features.
The library has posted visitor guidelines for the space. Adults must stay with children at all times. Shoes stay on. No food in the play area. Climbing, jumping and rough play should be redirected to quieter games, and the decorative mushrooms are off-limits for climbing. The Baby Nook is reserved for children not yet walking.
Parents should also note that children's movies and video games have moved to the main floor near the holds shelf. Youth audiobooks and early reader books now sit on the two window walls flanking the Youth Help Desk.
The library said it is continuing to observe the playspace and accept visitor feedback.
Upcoming at Plymouth District Library
- Thursday, Sept. 17 — Author Talk with Yasmine Cheyenne
- Thursday, Sept. 17 — Film screening, "Free for All: The Public Library"
- Sunday, Sept. 20 — Cookie Vote / School House Rock Marathon
- Monday, Sept. 21–Friday, Sept. 25 — Community Costume Swap donations accepted; swap open to voucher holders Saturday, Sept. 26, 10–11 a.m., and to the public until 2 p.m.
