Oxford English Dictionary

More than just a playroom!

Built especially for pre-readers and filled with books, puzzles and toys designed to encourage early literacy, the PAL Center at the Hughes Main Library is the perfect environment for children ages 0-4 to laugh, play and most important – learn! Check the PAL Center schedule to plan your day around your child’s early literacy, coordination, creativity and language development skills

The Play and Literacy – PAL – Center is located in the Children’s Area of the Hughes Main Library and was opened in January, 2005, originally funded through a grant from the South Carolina State Library, the Library Services and Technology Act and the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The specially designed playroom offers bilingual books, toys, alphabet blocks, storytelling puppets, dramatic play costumes and other materials designed to encourage early literacy. The materials in the room are rotated each day so there will always be “new” experiences for the children. There are also special literacy posters and brochures appropriate for children and parents, both English and Spanish speakers.

Playing in the PAL Center is an excellent foundation to becoming a library user! While you are here play with your child and visit with friends, find out how to check out materials, attend programs and become familiar with the library system and staff.

The PAL Center has become so popular, many parents tell us that their children beg to come here. While they’re having fun, they’re learning, too. When your child plays with our toys and puzzles, she is figuring out how to fit things together – thus developing hand-eye coordination and increasing small muscle skills. When your child participates in creative play, such as puppet shows, dress-up and play acting, he is developing problem solving and language skills and building confidence by creating and taking on new roles in front of other children.

Come visit the PAL Center. Children ages 0-4 welcome with adult supervision.