The Donald Berman Children’s Library
Opening new Chapters for Learning and Discovery.
The new Children’s Library on the 3rd floor of the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Learning Center is open to serve seventy six thousand children who live in Bnei Brak and the area.
Entering into the spacious Library, you will be enchanted with the colors and design, which lend a magical atmosphere for children and adults alike. The Librarian’s desk, the special reading spaces and niches, the fabulous toddlers and tots corner, the state of art computers and multimedia equipment and the shelves laden with thousands of books – leave the visitors amazed.
A UNIQUE FEATURE
Having planned the Library together with its partner, the NII Foundation and other specialists in the field, the library design – its layout and equipment, make it fully accessible. For the first time, children with developmental delays and other special needs are given the opportunity to enjoy a library and informal educational activities alongside their normative siblings and peers.
We anticipate that the Library’s innovative new model for inclusion will encourage libraries throughout Israel to follow in its path.
Suggested Activities for Children:
- Guided Library Tour – becoming familiar with the library – for kindergarten and elementary school groups – morning hours
- Interactive Story Hour for different age groups. With musical accompaniment
- Puppet shows – encouraging children’s interaction.
- Meet the Authors – for school groups
- Computer Data Center – guided assistance for students – grades 5-8, for preparation of schoolwork, presentations, etc.
- Creative Writing Workshops In Hebrew, English and Yiddish
- Thinking out the box- 3D puzzles and more
- Creative Thinking- scientific concepts
- Journalism – creating and editing a school/family newspaper
- Origami – paper creations
- Bibliotherapy Groups – emotional enrichment
Activities for Adults:
- Resource Center for parents, educators and therapists – 1,500 volumes focusing on education, child development, psychology & therapeutic methodology
- Evening lectures and workshops on child education and development
The library programs emphasize inclusion, creating an atmosphere of acceptance and respect. The library serves as a community based resource center for parents and the library staff undergos disability awareness training.
Partners:
FAQS:
Did you know that?
Haredi parents want their children to read lifestyle appropriate literature that coincides with their values. For that reason, in recent years Haredi libraries have been opened in Jerusalem, Modiin Illit and Beitar Illit. They are the most frequently visited libraries in all of Israel
