Katonah Library Keeps Kids Busy During Snow Days

For local youngsters, learning doesn't have to stop if school closes early.

In fact, those days can be some of the busiest for the kids room—which boasts thousands of books, plus much more—at Katonah Village Library, according to children's librarian Stephanie Hartwell-Mandella. 

"People will come after school dismiss, after everyone gets lunch," she said Monday, adding that many mothers had already stopped by that morning to pick up "provisions." "We wil be slammed by 2 p.m."

In case you haven't visited the library, or the children's room specifically, in some time, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Material in the room is appropriate for infants, elementary kids and even sixth and seventh-graders. It offers everything from chess games to doll collections to DVDs to puzzles. A listening center, which may appear a bit old school to adults, is especially interesting for little ones. They "love" listening to stories on CDs and cassette tapes.
• Often times, the library does not close, even if school does.
• Story time sessions cater to different age groups. Find specifics here. 
• Tina, a 20-year-old river turtle, lives there. She appears in one of the photographs at right.