ROOMS TO GROW ACTIVITIES AT LIBRARIES BEGIN WITH THE BOOKS.(PREVIEW)

Byline: JOYCE BASSETT Staff writer

When most people think of libraries, they think of quiet places filled with books. But when kids are involved, a different atmosphere develops.

From the smiles on preschoolers wearing mini-headphones and engrossed in the latest read-along computer book to the child sprawled out on a reading platform with his nose just inches from a page, learning is a current generating excitement throughout a library children's room.

As a child, I fondly remember taking bus trips with my mother to downtown Troy and to visit the Troy Public Library on Second Street. My latest youthful obsession -- be it Olympic heros, astronauts, women athletes or rock stars -- were easy to discover. I saved my dimes for the copy machine and brought home copies to decorate my notebooks.

I've taken my kids to the wonderful children's room in the Shenendehowa Public Library, and we visit the extensive young-readers section …