Reinberger Children's Library Center
The Reinberger Children's Library Center at Kent State University is a unique and valuable resource for students, staff, faculty, researchers, and the larger global community. This unique collection includes over 40,000 children's books, original picture book art, posters, and related ephemera, as well as resources for those serving, studying, or creating for young people across multiple disciplines. Regardless of academic background or focus, the stories and lessons learned through children's books hold a profound place in our personal and collective memories.
While our focus is on youth, these resources offer a wealth of insights into diverse cultures, politics, significant events, and human experiences across time, rendering them relevant to all ages, fields and areas of study.
The Center, which opened in 2003, was made possible by a gift of $240,000 from the Reinberger Foundation of Cleveland. It was originally constructed as the Reinberger Children’s Room, a "demonstration" children's public and school library center where thousands of students, paraprofessionals, librarians, teachers and community members have participated in hands-on courses, events and workshops.
In 2008, another expansion was needed after the late Dr. Kenneth and Sylvia Marantz donated more than 25,000 picture books spanning 40 years, along with posters, original artwork, ephemera and character toys, creating the Marantz Picturebook Collection for the Study of Picturebook Art. The Reinberger Foundation, the School and the College of Communication and Information (CCI) funded the expansion of this physical space on the 3rd floor of the Kent State University Library.
Contact
To visit the Reinberger Children’s Library Center, you can make an appointment by contacting:
Michelle R. Baldini, MSLIS
Director, Reinberger Children’s Library Center
330-672-4048