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The Early Childhood Resource and Information Center

1/8/08 - By Anna Fader

indooractivities.jpgUPDATE January 2009: The ECRIC early childhood research materials have moved to the Mid-Manhattan Library Branch, but the Family Room is still at the Hudson Branch. If you are looking for more information about the Family Room, click on the Hudson Branch link. If you are looking for more information about ECRIC, click on that link. Right upstairs from the Hudson Park Branch Library on Leroy Street in the West village, you'll find the Early Childhood Resource and Information Center. This is a unique resource in the NYPL system, a place dedicated to serving the needs of young children (birth to age 6), their parents, caregivers, teachers, and other early childhood professionals.


The Family Room is the heart of ECRIC. The room holds a special collection of books, toys, and learning tools and includes a carpeted block area, housekeeping and dramatic play spaces, drawing easels, climbing & sliding equipment, puzzles, and other learning tools.

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It's a great place spend a cold afternoon, but if the weather is bad, don't expect to have it to yourself.

Baby and toddler story times and other programs are scheduled regularly, but not regularly enough that I could tell you when they are.  By the way, besides a being a nice place to hang out, the ECRIC is a great place to find books and information on early childhood, parenting and preschool.

Find more great activities like this in our Indoor Activities Guide.

Places featured in this article:

Hudson Park Branch Library