Oak Lawn Library staff bring games and crafts to Polk Recreation Center

Oak Lawn Library staff are bringing educational activities to Polk Recreation Center in Northwest Dallas through a program called Library Hour. Held every other Tuesday, the initiative serves students in the center's after-school program, drawing a steady group of 20 to 45 children ranging from kindergarten to sixth grade.

The program focuses on hands-on learning, games, and crafts. Recent activities have included beading, painting, and paper crafts. During a recent session known as Flight Lab, students learned to fold six different paper planes, customized their designs, and tested them by launching them across the room.

Jillian Zinkie, the library public service specialist who coordinates the program, noted that the content varies with each visit. “Each visit is a little different depending on what we bring,” Zinkie said. “We try to keep things creative and flexible so kids can participate at their own pace and socialize with their friends.”

Zinkie added that the program has become a familiar part of the students' routines. “The kids are always curious about what we’ll bring each time, and they’re usually excited to see us when we arrive,” she said. “Over time, it’s become a familiar part of their afterschool routine, and we’ve seen consistent participation from many of the same kids.”

Library staff stated that the program helps reach children who may not otherwise visit the library while building relationships with local families and recreation center staff.

Manya Shorr, director of libraries for Dallas Public Library, described the collaboration as a way to meet people where they are. “This is the beauty behind libraries and other city departments working together,” Shorr said. “It’s about meeting people where they are and building connections.”