It's playtime at the library

What is it about fun toys that make grown adults happy?

Library officials are getting ready to develop these prototypes, a sort of movable play areas to be housed at both libraries. The purpose is to give the community a sneak peak of what's to come on the second floor of the Biane Library. It's not coming any time soon, but once money is available,the city will build an interactive area for children called Rancho KIDS (Kids Interactive Discovery Space).

This made my editor super excited, even though he is about 54 years older than Rancho KIDS' target audience.

The prototypes are expected to be complete this March. Above is the Big Dig, a station with colored sand where children can either dig for dinosaurs or grow a make-believe garden. At left is an art station with space to hang paintings and a light table for tracing.

"We want it to be educational," said Assistant Library Director Michelle Perera. "We don't want to just chuck a bunch of toys and say, 'go ahead.' "

She called this "purposeful play."

It was something that Councilman Dennis Michael wouldn't mind incorporating into his schedule.

"You talk about purposeful play. God, I'm 62 and I need that," Michael said.

Don't we all.

Read more about the library's future plans in Saturday's Tuesday's newspaper.