The Early Learning Center will be closed from Monday, November 26 through Saturday, December 8 in preparation for our new exhibit, “Oink, Baa, Moo: Farm Fun!” We are sorry for the inconvenience.
The Early Learning Center (ELC), located in the Children’s Department, is a unique space for kids to interact with different learning opportunities. From the Art Studio to the Lego table to the pirate ship, the ELC is a colorful, interactive place where kids can discover the fun of learning. Come for the storytimes, stay for the arts and crafts, and watch your child get excited about all the hands-on activities within reach. It’s a one-of-a-kind Waukegan experience that you and your child will come back to again and again.
Tour of the ELC
Art Studio - Come and Create a masterpiece in our Art Studio.
Music Hall - Budding musicians come show your musical talents in our Music Hall
Nature and Play Center - Come learn about the creatures that live under the ground in our Nature and Play Center.
Crawl Space - Little ones will explore the world around them in this interactive, sensory filled Crawl Space.
Theater - Sing, dance, or put on a play in our Theater area.
Math and Science Lab - Build a tower out of blocks or Legos in our Math and Science Lab.
ELC Programs
Have you visited the Waukegan Library’s Early Learning Center (ELC)—A Children’s Learning Museum right here in Waukegan! It’s open during library hours and free to the public.
For the Fall of 2012 WPL is offering:
Early Learning Tips
Great Books
Choose from thousands of books in the ELC collection specifically designed to help your child read and learn. Below is just a small example of the wealth of knowledge available to spark your child’s interest and imagination.
What People Are Saying about the New ELC…
“The ELC room is a great area for children to enjoy themselves in a safe area. While at the same time they are constantly learning about the different theme they change every year. The ELC room educates, entertains, and definelty motivates children as well as parents to bring their children to the fun activities the library provides.”– Elizabeth Cordova
“My kids never want to leave. There’s plenty to keep them playing and learning for hours.” – Christy Porter
“There is nothing like this at any other library. My grandchildren can’t wait to visit and use all the wonderful learning centers. It is presented in a way they have no idea they are learning. It is always well kept and the staff is very helpful and encouraging.”
“The ELC is more fun then McDonald’s Play Land.” – Naomi Adams
ELC in the News
On November 2, 2008, the Waukegan Public Library unveiled its new Early Learning Center (ELC), a hands-on environment where the children of Waukegan have a place to actively learn. Modeled in part after the Kohl’s Children’s Museum in Glenview, the ELC provides five stations—music, nature, science, craft and pretend play—each with theme-related books easily within reach.