ANSONIA – The Ansonia Library is so much more than books, and thanks to its unique programming for kids, the library was recently feted by the state for its ​‘Outstanding Children’s Services.’

The library was one of six from across Connecticut honored by The Connecticut State Library’s inaugural ​“Excellence in Public Libraries Awards.”

An awards ceremony was held Aug. 14 at the state library in Hartford. Ansonia Library’s children’s librarian Jen Shuart said she was honored to be recognized at the state level.

“It was exciting,” said Shuart, who attended the ceremony with members of library staff. ​“We do a lot of work here. It’s a very small team and we work hard to provide unique programming and service in general.”

The Children’s Room at the library offers free, interactive programs that have run the gamut from a visit from marine biologist visits, to grandparents’ day tea parties, to unicorn days, and story time on a bus for first-time school bus riders.

Other popular programs have included a teddy bear clinic, where members of Naugatuck Valley Health Department helped ease kids’ fears about visiting the doctor using teddy bears as the patients.

Programs for older kids have featured friendship bracelet-making, pizza and paint classes, glow in the dark painting and henna art.

Shuart said the programs are geared for ages 0 to 18.

The library also works closely with the public schools and established a teen advisory board for Ansonia High School students to join, which helps students attain required community service hours before they graduate.

A toy library is among the library’s newer additions, which gained national attention earlier this summer when Shuart appeared on The Kelly Clarkson show Just like borrowing books, kids can borrow toys through a grant-funded initiative courtesy of the nonprofit Traveling Toys, Inc.

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Shuart, in her interview with Clarkson, shared stories about how the toy library has positively influenced families in her community.

“The impact that the toy library has had on families in Ansonia is monumental,” Shuart said on the show. ​“The collaboration with Traveling Toys has truly opened new doors for learning and connection while easing the financial burden on caregivers.”

Shuart said she and the staff are working with other libraries to establish their own toy libraries.

According to state library development director Dawn La Valle, nominations for the awards opened up in January and closed at the end of February. The awards were open to public libraries that demonstrated significant impact on their communities within the last two years. 

La Valle said a panel of library professionals, educators, community leaders and representatives from the State Library, evaluated nominations and selected awards recipients. The other libraries that won awards were Danbury Library, Darien Library, Hamden Public Library, Hartford Public Library and Wilton Library Association.

“Ansonia demonstrated the hallmarks of developing critical and strategic partnerships and relationships collaborating with town officials and the community; creative, innovative program planning for maximum impact resulting in a significant increase in the budget to sustain the programming,” La Valle said via an email.

Shuart, who’s been the children’s librarian since 2021, said the library is an invaluable resource for the community. As a mom of two kids, a college freshman and a college senior, Shuart said she’s in tune with what families look for in their local library.

“I’m super passionate about it, and we have reinvented who we are and what we are – we are so much more than books,” Shuart said.

Ansonia Superintendent of Schools Joe DiBacco was one of those in the community who nominated the library for the award.

“I have witnessed firsthand the invaluable impact that the Ansonia Public Library has had on our students and the broader school community,” DiBacco said in his nomination letter. ​“Their dedication to providing engaging and educational experiences for children is evident in initiatives such as interactive storytelling sessions, STEM-based learning activities and summer reading challenges. These programs have been brought into our elementary schools and have enriched our students’ academic experiences and have cultivated a love for reading and discovery beyond the classroom.”

Shuart said the library is currently accepting donations for new and gently used Halloween costumes for babies, kids and adults for its upcoming Halloween Costume Swap Shop event. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 11 at the library (53 S. Cliff St.), and anyone is welcome to pick up free costumes.