Andrea Compton, Youth Librarian

This is one of the bustling areas of the South Branch Library for patrons and staff.  This area is used for most storytime programming conducted by staff, as well as some special events hosted by outside groups that don't need to be contained within a room.  When not in use for programming, this is a great seating area for patrons and guests.  Comfortable lounge furniture can be found around the outside perimeter and youth can be seen sitting in the open space reading books, playing with busy bag activities, having fun on our light board, putting puzzles together, and playing on our AWE Early Literacy stations that offer educational gaming opportunities across a variety of subjects.

This area is not available to be rented out for outside groups, but appears as a facility listing as it's a place in the library that is utilized for library programs.  It's surrounded by the children's collection at the library, housing materials for beginner readers through middle school.  It's also located in view of the children's play area located inside the Mall of Abilene, so parents are able to monitor their children whether they're inside the library or at the play area.

Amanda Sasser, Youth Librarian

The Children's Area of the Mockingbird Branch Library is the primary area where kids and families spend time in the library.  This area is used for some library programming and storytimes when not conducted inside the Activity Room.  This means the children's area is not available for renting by the public.  In this area you'll find great seating for the family, access to puzzles, activity bags, and AWE Early Literacy stations providing access to educational gaming across a variety of subject areas.

This area houses the a great collection of reading materials for this age group with materials for beginning readers to middle school.  The Mockingbird Branch is also the only location that separates out its juvenile audiovisual collection of DVDs and audiobooks on CD so they too are housed in the children's area of the library.

Colorful walls and decorations helps to make this area of the library inviting, and while located in the front of the facility by the windows, shades are provided to protect you from the sun during certain times of the day.  Feel free to come attend a program or storytime in our children's area and see what this branch location has to offer for families.