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More Public Libraries with Free Play Areas and Storytimes

1/21/08 - By Anna Fader

Nell left a very helpful comment on the recent post about the Early Childhood Resource and Information Center with lots more great libraries with toys and storytimes. I thought it was worth elevating up to its own post:

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ECRIC is a great resource (and has the most play equipment and toys), but the stairs, grime, checked-out nannies, and staff can get to be a bit tiring.

The Baby Lap Time at ECRIC is every 1st and 3rd Wednesday at 11am (up to age 18 months).

There is a great baby and toddler story time at Jefferson Market Library every Thursday at 11am.

The Ottendorfer Library in the East Village has a really wonderful children's librarian and a nice little room with toys and books for babies. They have something like 3 Baby story times and 2 toddler story times—check The New York Public Library website.

Also, Mulberry library in Soho is new and beautiful and has lots of baby and toddler programs. This is the cleanest, most stroller-friendly library and they have a very sweet nice children's librarian.

- Thanks, Nell

Find more great activities like this in our Indoor Activities Guide.

About the Author

Anna Fader

Founder of Mommy Poppins

A fourth-generation Brooklynite, Anna started Mommy Poppins in 2007 to help families find the best things to do with kids in NYC, with a particular emphasis on sharing activities that are free, affordable, and enriching. The site, used by millions of families, has grown to become the ultimate resource for parents in the major US cities, plus travel guides for 100s of destinations.

Anna is a believer in the magic of summer camps, traveling with kids, and that you can raise kids on a budget and still have a rich life full of amazing memories. Anna's first Mommy Poppins book, The Young Traveler's Journal and Activity Book, published in 2025 and co-written with her daughter, Amelia Eigerman, brings that ethos to life, in addition to this website.

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