Fibre optics help stimulate kids' senses

Tipene Stephens, 4, is one of many children enjoying the Rotorua District Library's latest feature. Photo / Stephen Parker

The Rotorua District Library's latest feature is lighting up children's faces.

A multisensory room, which features a series of fun, interactive activities made from state-of-the-art fibre optics, is now open on the ground floor of the library.

The room was the brainchild of a member of the public, Bev Emmerson, and has been a joint effort between the library, Friends of the Rotorua District Library and the Rotorua Energy Charitable Trust.

It was designed for children with disabilities as a therapeutic sensory environment but was also for all children to enjoy.

The project has been a year in the making.

Library programmes co-ordinator Karisma Vala said she was thrilled with the room's popularity so far. "We've had nothing but positive feedback from the public. It's a great space for children to use, and provides a safe, therapeutic and stimulating environment for them ..."

The room is the only one of its kind in the region, she said.

Two adults and two children can use the space at any one time and a key for the room can be collected at the library's front desk. It is free for anyone to use.

Ms Vala said she hoped the room would attract more families and children to the library.

"We want for the library to become a community hub ..."

Local mother Pamela Stephens said the new multisensory room was a fantastic place to bring her four-year-old son Tipene.

"He just loves it. It's somewhere parents can bring their children, where they can have fun and make friends," she said.

"I think people should feel very lucky to have access to such a wonderful facility, which is free."