# A Tale of Two Children's Room Renovations
In 2022, two long-awaited and much anticipated renovations were completed at two regional libraries... These bright, modern Children's Rooms reopened to the public with fanfare, special guests like Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, Jaxson de Ville, and more.
These projects were made possible, in part, by the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program which is administered by the Community Development Division. It is awarded annually through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to support neighborhood development. Additional funding sources include: the City of Jacksonville and the Library Capital Project which include fines and fees collected by Jacksonville Public Library.
Take a look back at both projects and feel free to send us your feedback and questions here.
# Charles Webb Wesconnett Regional Library
Photos from the Grand Re-Opening
Library staff member cutting the blue ribbon at the Grand Re-Opening Celebration
A special guest storytime!
Jaxson de Ville stopped by to greet fans and check out the space!
Jaxson de Ville helping local kids at the craft station.
What a great place for storytime and other events!
Plenty of space (and storage) for crafts.
The Concept and Design (Webb Wesconnett)
Want to see how it all started? Check out early conceptual plans for the redesign of the Children's area at Webb Wesconnett. As you can see, various spaces for reading, growth, and interaction were envisioned and included.
Construction Photos (Webb Wesconnett)
(gallery of images detailing the renovation)
March 2021: Construction begins to the Children's area of the Charles Webb Wesconnett Regional Library
March 2021: Construction begins to the Children's area of the Charles Webb Wesconnett Regional Library
March 2021: Construction begins to the Children's area of the Charles Webb Wesconnett Regional Library
March 2021: Construction begins to the Children's area of the Charles Webb Wesconnett Regional Library
April 2021: It's April and construction is in full swing at Charles Webb Wesconnett Regional Library as the Children's area is cleared out to make room for renovations.
April 2021: It's April and construction is in full swing at Charles Webb Wesconnett Regional Library as the Children's area is cleared out to make room for renovations.
April 2021: It's April and construction is in full swing at Charles Webb Wesconnett Regional Library as the Children's area is cleared out to make room for renovations.
April 2021: It's April and construction is in full swing at Charles Webb Wesconnett Regional Library as the Children's area is cleared out to make room for renovations.
May 2021: In May the spaces are cleared and made ready for renovations at Charles Webb Wesconnett Regional Library.
May 2021: In May the spaces are cleared and made ready for renovations at Charles Webb Wesconnett Regional Library.
May 2021: In May the spaces are cleared and made ready for renovations at Charles Webb Wesconnett Regional Library.
May 2021: In May the spaces are cleared and made ready for renovations at Charles Webb Wesconnett Regional Library.
June 2021: The framing of the Video Lab and Recording Studio is nearing completion. Things are getting exciting at Charles Webb Wesconnett Regional Library!
June 2021: The framing of the Video Lab and Recording Studio is nearing completion. Things are getting exciting at Charles Webb Wesconnett Regional Library!
July 2021: The piping for the bathrooms are nearing completion at Charles Webb Wesconnett Regional Library!
July 2021: Drywall being installed all throughout the Charles Webb Wesconnett Regional Library!
August 2021: Wall behind the Info Bar being finished up with drywall and the first layer of paint at the Charles Webb Wesconnett Regional Library!
August 2021: Newly renovated restrooms at the Charles Webb Wesconnett Regional Library!
August 2021: Newly renovated restrooms at the Charles Webb Wesconnett Regional Library!
September 2021: The Video Lab and Recording Studio has drywall and framing installed!
September 2021: New window framing in the Video Lab and Recording Studio!
September 2021: Wiring and electricity installation overhead in the Children's Area at Webb Wesconnett Regional Library!
October 2021: First coats of paint painted onto the Video Lab and Recording Studio in the Children's Area at Webb Wesconnett Regional Library!
October 2021: First coats of paint painted onto the Video Lab and Recording Studio in the Children's Area at Webb Wesconnett Regional Library!
October 2021: Cabinet instillation is going great in the Children's Area at Webb Wesconnett Regional Library!
November 2021: Cabinet instillation is continuing along at the Children's Area at Webb Wesconnett Regional Library!
November 2021: Restroom installation is just about finished up in the new Children's Area at Webb Wesconnett Regional Library!
December 2021: Colorful carpeting being installed at Webb Wesconnett Regional Library!
December 2021: Colorful carpeting being installed at Webb Wesconnett Regional Library!
January 2022: Cabinets have been installed and painted at Charles Webb Wesconnett Regional Library!
January 2022: Shelving units have been painted and installed at Charles Webb Wesconnett Regional Library. Almost ready for some books to get stocked!
January 2022: Colorful and creative designs will fill the walls of the new Children's Area at Charles Webb Wesconnett Regional Library
# Highlands Regional Library
Photos from the Grand Re-Opening
Library staff cutting the blue ribbon at the Grand Reopening Celebration.
A young boy walks through a child-size doorway at the entrance to the Children's Room.
Local news anchor and literacy advocate Tenikka Hughes joined us for the celebration!
The event included crafts and other fun activities for kids and families.
There was even a visit from the animal ambassadors from the Jacksonville Zoo!
The new children's computer area
There are so many spaces to read and play!
There are so many options for seating, all of them easy to move around to accommodate events.
Concept and Design (Highlands)
Want to see how it all started? Check out early conceptual plans for the redesign of the Children's area at Highlands Regional Library. As you can see, various spaces for reading, growth, and interaction were envisioned and included.
Construction Photos (Highlands)
(gallery of images detailing the renovation)
March 2021: Construction is well underway at Highlands Regional Library Children's area
March 2021: Construction is well underway at Highlands Regional Library Children's area
March 2021: Construction is well underway at Highlands Regional Library Children's area
March 2021: Construction is well underway at Highlands Regional Library Children's area
April 2021: Stylized wall structures for the Early Literacy area in the Children's area of Highlands Regional Library go up.
April 2021: Stylized wall structures for the Early Literacy area in the Children's area of Highlands Regional Library go up.
April 2021: Framing for the Study Room walls go up at Highlands Regional Library.
April 2021: Discussion wall is prepped for buildout in the Children's area of Highlands Regional Library.
May 2021: Checkout the Cozy Nook and Discussion Wall taking shape at Highlands Regional Library
May 2021: Study Rooms begin to emerge at Highlands Regional Library
May 2021: Set up of the Roleplay stage begins at Highlands Regional Library Children's area
May 2021: Checkout the Stylized wall section for Early Literacy at Highlands Regional Library
June 2021: Window framing for the Discussion Wall is moving along at the Highlands Regional Library
June 2021: Window framing for the Discussion Wall is moving along at the Highlands Regional Library
July 2021: Drywall being put up all throughout the new Children's Area at the Highlands Regional Library. This corner is the Role-Play Stage!
July 2021: The Cozy Nook at the new Children's Area at the Highlands Regional Library is coming along quite nicely!
August 2021: Drywall and the first layer of paint going up around the Cozy Nook at the new Children's Area at the Highlands Regional Library is coming along quite nicely!
August 2021: Drywall and the first layer of paint going up around the Early Literacy area at the new Children's Area at the Highlands Regional Library is coming along quite nicely!
September 2021: Window framing and glass has been installed at the Highlands Regional Library children's area!
September 2021: Ceiling light fixtures installed overhead in the Highlands Regional Library children's area!
September 2021: Ceiling light fixtures installed overhead in the Highlands Regional Library children's area!
October 2021: Wall cabinets being installed and painted in the Highlands Regional Library children's area!
October 2021: Cabinets being installed and painted orange in the Highlands Regional Library children's area!
November 2021: Ceiling installation finishing up in the Highlands Regional Library children's area!
November 2021: Countertops installed on the orange cabinets in the Highlands Regional Library children's area!
December 2021: New carpet, shelving, and lighting installations in the Highlands Regional Library children's area
December 2021: New carpet, shelving, and lighting installations in the Highlands Regional Library children's area
December 2021: New carpet installation in the Highlands Regional Library children's area
January 2022: Wall art featuring a map of the world in the Highlands Regional Library children's area.
January 2022: The Cozy Nook is finished being painted at the Highlands Regional Library children's area.
January 2022: Shelving units in the Highlands Regional Library children's area are finished being installed and painted. They're ready for some books!
January 2022: Role-Play Stage in the corner of the Highlands Regional Library children's area
