Local Generosity Refreshes the Children's Wing!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Frankenmuth Wickson District Library Refreshes Children’s Wing Thanks to Noon Rotary Match Grant

Left to Right: Children's Librarian Beth Emmons, Noon Rotary Members Dan and Kristina Waskiewicz, Library Director Michelle Duclos, Noon Rotary President Mary Ann Hiles, Noon Rotary Members Dan Redford and Michael Bender

Frankenmuth Wickson District Library is celebrating a fresh new look in its Children’s Wing thanks to the generosity of Frankenmuth Noon Rotary and an anonymous donor. A $1,500 grant from the Rotary, and a matching donation from a donor, made it possible for the library to update toys, enhance dramatic play spaces, and introduce new sensory features for local families.

The library reached out to Noon Rotary seeking support to modernize the well-loved play area. Toys in the Children’s Wing had not been purchased in quite some time, and many previous items were donated, heavily used, and in need of replacement. Library leadership was thrilled when Noon Rotary chose to support the project.

“The Children’s Wing is a busy place daily and the toys were well loved. To be able to update the toys and give the room a fresh update is such a benefit for families,” said Michelle Duclos, Library Director. “We removed the computers from the Children’s Wing to create more room for free and dramatic play, which better supports early childhood development. In their place, we added a sensory light table and expanded our dramatic play areas.”

Duclos noted that removing computers from the Children’s Wing was an intentional decision. By reducing screen-based activities, the library is creating more opportunities for hands-on exploration, imagination, and social interaction — all critical components of healthy childhood development. The room’s lively atmosphere encourages children to play together, explore new ideas, and develop appropriate social skills in a safe and welcoming environment.

Mary Ann Hiles, President of the Noon Rotary shared, ‘’Supporting youth development and literacy initiatives in our community is central to Rotary’s mission. We are proud to partner with the library to invest in spaces that help children learn and grow.”

Early Literacy Specialist Beth Emmons led the effort to thoughtfully evaluate and refresh the collection of toys and play materials. She reviewed existing items and selected high-quality toys designed to encourage cognitive growth, creativity, fine motor development, and sensory exploration. A small, designated area was also created specifically for the library’s youngest patrons to safely explore and play.

Quarterly, Emmons transforms the dramatic playhouse into a new themed environment, giving children opportunities to explore different roles and real-world scenarios. Past themes have included a flower shop, coffee house, veterinary clinic, and eye clinic. The newest transformation invites children to run their own pizza parlor.

The newly added sensory light table provides hands-on learning opportunities that strengthen fine motor skills, color and shape recognition, early math concepts, and scientific exploration. Light tables also support sensory regulation and open-ended creativity, allowing children to experiment with translucent materials in engaging and calming ways.

“Literacy and play go hand in hand,” said Emmons. “When children engage in dramatic play, they build vocabulary, practice storytelling, and strengthen the early literacy skills that prepare them to become confident readers. Play is not separate from learning- it is learning.”

Library staff emphasize that the Children’s Wing is a shared community space. With its popularity comes the importance of partnership with families. The library encourages parents and caregivers to actively engage in play alongside their children, to help supervise safe use of materials, and to assist with cleaning up after playtime to keep the space welcoming for everyone.

(above: Children's Librarian Beth Emmons plays at the new light table with 2-year-old patron, Michael Lyons)

The Frankenmuth Wickson District Library extends sincere appreciation to Frankenmuth Noon Rotary and the anonymous donor for investing in the community’s youngest learners. The updated Children’s Wing is already buzzing with imagination, creativity, and joyful learning.

For more information, visit the Frankenmuth Wickson District Library or stop by to explore the refreshed Children’s Wing in person!