“The only thing that you absolutely have to know,” said Albert Einstein, “is the location of the library.”

Ours is on East Broad Street, and we know it well. It is a bastion of books, a sanctum of study, a place where questions are asked and answered. That’s a lot, but it is even more than that, thanks to a devoted, creative and energetic staff of librarians: It is a vital center of our community, a nexus where neighbors meet to engage, intellectually and otherwise.

We are parents and caregivers, and we write to thank Westfield’s librarians for their efforts on behalf of our smallest residents. They and their volunteers have recognized a dearth of free activities for toddlers, and have with enormous enthusiasm leapt into the breach. There are story readings, of course. But also dance. And yoga. And music. And crafts. And playtime. It’s all done joyfully and lovingly and selflessly – no one expects this of the library, and they do it anyway.

Yes, we know the location of the library. And thanks to the efforts of Westfield’s librarians, our children will grow up knowing it, too, and they will always love it.

Josh & Abby Miller and Sylvie Danny Schwartz & Heather Williamson and Phoebe and Owen Jenn & J-Young Kim and Hannah and Alex Barbara El-Khoury Kate & Greg Salmon and RJ and Declan Nina Ovryn & Jerry Schwartz Westfield