A reader emailed me last week and suggested that I visit the Cerritos Public Library. If you are looking for places to visit this summer- this is a must!!! The Cerritos Library Children’s Area is modeled more after a children’s museum than a library. My kids loved it from the moment they stepped into the building. The Children’s library is located on the ground floor and the children’s area is united by a theme of saving the planet.
My kiddos were mesmerized from the start by the library’s 15,000 gallon saltwater aquarium. They could have stayed for hours admiring the many colorful fish.
Educational exhibits in the Children’s area include Stan, a 40-foot long, 12-foot high authentic Tyrannosaurus-rex replica. My son Michael fell in love with Stan. The library also has a scale-model NASA Space Shuttle called the “Spirit of Cerritos,” a lighthouse with a siting area, which was also a big hit with my kiddos . In addition, a rain forest tree in this area helps children learn about the rainforest’s healing properties and how trees help clean the air. It’s a popular place for kids to sit under the tree and read books.
The area also features a geologic core model with strata depicting eras of geologic time. Located above Stan the dinosaur is a ceiling painted with a sky that depicts different atmospheric conditions through lighting effects. A blue screen placed next to the Children’s area entrance is used during special events to take photographs of children in front of scenes from literature.
The Children’s Library is also home to The “Wetlands” computer workstation . It offers Internet access through a portal of safe sites for kids. Also in this area are updated and expanded interactive and educational CD-ROM products on topics such as math and geography. We visited during peak times and there were actually workstations available.
There are of course plenty of books, in fact, it has to be one of the largest children’s collections that I’ve ever come across. The library is also home to an Art Studio and a Little Theater. The Library is home to a summer reading program for kids, storytime and art classes.
I have to add – my kids favorite part of our Cerritos Adventure was the Dolphin fountain on the grounds of the Library. One of the Library Staff members suggested that next time we visit we bring a change of clothes and a swimsuit for the kids- she said that a little too late- as we were talking both of my kids ran in to the fountain and had the time of their life. I went home with soaking wet kids who had the time of their life.
Cerritos Public Library
18025 Bloomfield Avenue
Cerritos, California 90703
Phone: (562) 916-1350
Hours of operation:
Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. &
Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
For additional information click here
