Reading can take you on an adventure to magical places, and Lewes Public Library is exactly that. Just ask Lauren Levin, the Youth Services Assistant at the Lewes Public Library. She is a former librarian at Shields Elementary School in Lewes and worked in the Cape School District as a teacher for 3 years before taking time off to raise her family. She received her undergraduate degree from Penn State and attended West Chester University for her post baccalaureate in teaching.
She began volunteering at the Lewes Public Library 6 years ago, in 2018, helping Jen Noonan, the current Youth Services Librarian. “I took time off from teaching and a part of me wanted to get back, so this was a great way to channel my creativity and the fun part of teaching.” During 2020, her role changed, “Jen really needed more help making ‘send home’ craft kits for kids that could be picked up from the library.” It was then that Lauren brought her daughter with her and started to become a staple in the library. “No one was here, because of Covid; so my 2 year daughter would come in with me, play with all the toys, and I loved being able to help out,” she said. By 2021, Jen tried to convince Lauren to join the staff part-time, and by 2023 Lauren accepted the position. “I love it here—I’m so glad I got back to work, I’m a happier parent, person and human,” she said.
Lauren facilitates all the Storytime programming at Lewes Library on both Tuesday mornings for Preschool aged kids, and Wednesday mornings for Baby/Toddler aged Storytimes. “It’s open to all ages, however, the books are geared toward the specific age that day—I have some theme days like; silly, pets, and I grab books by authors that I love.” Her favorite Baby/Toddler books are by Jane Cabrera and Salina Yoon, “I like how they’re sing-songy,” she explains. For older kids, she recommends Graphic Novels, “they are a great gateway book and are really popular, it’s a good transition from picture book to something more dense text heavy.”
“We aim to make the library so much more than just a place to get books, but also a place people can connect, get together and get educated.”
The Lewes Public Library is both publicly and privately funded, and the community is very involved. “We have hundreds of volunteers—so many that we need a volunteer coordinator,” Lauren says. The Library boasts two designed areas for children; one for Kids and one for Teens. In addition to books, the Kids room has a dress-up play area, a scavenger hunt with a guaranteed prize, computers with free access to ABC Mouse and other activities. The Teen room is also filled with books, and has a Teen Suite for Video Games, Game Nights and Craft Events.
Access to the Library and all activities are free to the public, (and Bonus, so is the parking). If you’re not a local, but want to check-out books, there are two ways to do it. A Visitor Card is $10, good for 30 days, and allows 1 week check-out time. Or a Non-Resident Card is $25 for the year, and allows 3 week check-out time.
“We aim to make the library so much more than just a place to get books, but also a place people can connect, get together and get educated,” Lauren explains. Recently, the library added Millennial Programming, for the gap between retired persons and kids. This includes Cook-Book Club, Book Clubs, free Yoga nights and Game Nights. They are also building a state of the art, outdoor pavilion, slated to be completed this Fall.
For a full list of summertime and year-round FREE activities, check out the Lewes Library website at lewes.lib.de.us. “We love when people just stop in,” so just drop in, and say hello to Lauren.
