North Oak Cliff Library Friends unveil additions to the children’s section

North Oak Cliff Library Friends’ celebration of the refreshed children’s area. Photo by Victoria Hernandez.

The generosity of the Skillman Southwestern Library Friends was celebrated this weekend at the North Oak Cliff Library Branch.

Following the closure of the Skillman branch in September, the former branch’s nonprofit had to close with it. Reaching out to every active library branch, the North Oak Cliff Library Friends (NOCLF) answered with a need: updates to the children’s section.

“We’ve got all the new stuff in there, so the kids are already playing,” outgoing president of NOCLF Diana Rosales said.

Surrounded by laughs and cupcakes shared, kids spread out to use new wooden puzzles, a new area rug and a new cart full of craft supplies.

“We felt like the majority of improvements had to go to the children,” she said.

According to Rosales, requesting items for children to be funded by the City is often more difficult in comparison to adult needs. This decision for children’s items was in combination with requests from North Oak Cliff Branch staff sharing with NOCLF the need for cleaning supplies that are less abrasive for younger kids and a rug. 

In addressing the crowd of parents, library supporters and kids, NOCLF vice president Diana DiStefano expressed her gratitude for the grant.

“We are going to love these items so hard, you won’t believe it,” DiStefano said. “They’re going to be worn and used, and it’s amazing.”