The Wichita Public Library is proud to be a Family Place Library, part of a national network focused on helping families give young children the strongest possible start in life. Our local Family Place initiative is named in honor of former Wichita City Manager Robert Layton, recognizing his lasting impact on the community and his commitment to strong, thriving Wichita families.

At the heart of Family Place is a simple truth: parents and caregivers are a child's first and most important teacher, and we are here to support you.

Supporting the Earliest Years

A child's brain grows faster in the first three years than at any other time in life. By age three, about 90 percent of neural connections are formed, building the foundation for language, learning, and social development.

Strong kindergarten readiness begins long before a child enters school. The everyday moments you share with your child talking, reading, playing, singing, and writing build the early literacy skills children need to succeed. Yet families with babies and toddlers often find there are limited community activities and supports designed specifically for ages 0–3. Robert Layton Family Place helps fill that gap by putting parent and caregiver support at the center of everything we do.

Every Child Ready to Read

Our work is guided by the nationally recognized Every Child Ready to Read framework. This research-based approach shows that simple daily interactions make a big difference in preparing children for school. At Wichita Public Library, families will see these five early literacy practices woven throughout our spaces, collections, and programs: Talk, Sing, Read, Write and Play. We intentionally model and support these practices so caregivers will feel confident using them at home.

Play Spaces Open Every Day

Every Wichita Public Library location features a dedicated early childhood play space designed especially for children ages 0–5 and the adults who care for them. These spaces are open any time the library is open, making it easy for families to drop in and learn through play.

Parenting Collection

One of the most powerful supports we offer families is our Parenting Collection, available at every Wichita Public Library location and intentionally placed near the early childhood play space for easy browsing while children play.

This carefully curated collection is designed to meet caregivers where they are with practical, trustworthy information you can use right away. Topics include:

• Early brain development and milestones
• Sleep, routines, and everyday parenting challenges
• Social-emotional development
• Kindergarten readiness support
• Local family and community resources

Specially Trained Library Staff

Family Place is more than a space, it's a commitment. Wichita Public Library staff receive specialized training in early childhood development and family engagement so they can better support families with young children.

Our trained staff can help caregivers:

• Understand early learning milestones
• Choose age-appropriate books and activities
• Support kindergarten readiness at home
• Connect with trusted community resources

Library staff at the Advanced Learning Library can also help parents and caregivers complete the Ages & Stages Questionnaire (ASQ), a trusted developmental screening tool for young children. After completing the ASQ, families can schedule a one-on-one appointment with library staff to:

• Review their child's results
• Understand developmental milestones
• Get personalized activity ideas and learn simple ways to support learning at home
• Connect with community resources if needed

This supportive, strengths-based conversation is designed to help caregivers feel informed, confident, and empowered.

Whether you are a brand-new parent, caring for multiple young children, or supporting a grandchild, the Parenting Collection offers judgment-free support and expert guidance.

We also offer online parenting tools like ParentTV. ParentTV offers thousands of on-demand videos and courses with content designed to support those who care for children, from infancy to teenage years. More than 40 experts provide research-based advice that is easy to understand via short, smart videos for busy teachers, parents, grandparents, and caregivers.

Parent Child Workshops

At the Advanced Learning Library, and coming soon to the Rockwell Branch , families can participate in special Parent Child Workshops. These multi-week, play-based sessions bring together parents, children, and local child development experts in a relaxed, supportive environment.

Workshops help caregivers:

• Better understand their child's development
• Learn simple ways to support early literacy and readiness
• Ask questions in an informal setting
• Build community with other families

Supporting Families from the Start

Robert Layton Family Place is the Wichita Public Library's commitment to walking alongside families during the most important years of a child's development.

Stop in to play, browse the Parenting Collection, or connect with our staff. You'll find the Wichita Public Library is here for you, every step of the way.

Robert Layton Family Place By the Numbers

At the heart of the Family Place is a simple truth: parents and caregivers are a child's first and most important teacher. Here is the impact that the Robert Layton Family Place made in 2025.