Not Your Parents' Library

I remember when all you ever heard about the library was how the librarian couldn't wait to "shush" you for being to loud. That has all changed these days, especially at the Brookfield Public Library.

Whether you take your child to the many story time readings or you are next to one of the flat screen TVs that adorn the walls at this library, you will notice one thing: this library is a cool place to be.

"It really has come a long way since I started here in 2001," Vicki Brostrom, supervisor of children's services, said as we talked about all the new technology in the library.

"You can download your library book now from (the cloud ) and read it on your Kindle and when it's due back...it disappears from your device and becomes ready for someone else to read," she said. There also are audio books, DVDs, interactive areas and computers everywhere, not to mention books ... lots of books!

This morning we visited one of the many story times the Brookfield library hosts. We got to see Janice "Mama Bear" Baer not only read, but act out several scenes of a children's book to a room of engaged three-year-olds. Janice has been with the library since 2003 and is actually a "hired storyteller."

The kids love the high-energy interaction and the puppets that are used to tell one of the millions of stories that live within the walls of the library.

The next time you have a few minutes to kill with the kids, make sure to check out the Brookfield Public Library but be careful, because a few minutes here may turn into a whole day of fun.