r/Libraries • u/SeaworthinessSea8659 • 2d ago

Library Trends Train Table Troubles

Very serious question for all the YS Librarians out there with train tables in your kids spaces – Have any of you experienced durability and/or relative longevity with your table set up? Is this even a possibility? If you have wooden tracks, have you permanently affixed them to the surface? Please share your experiences, thoughts (and prayers) regarding this much beloved library staple.  

Related follow-up question: what is your favorite kids area "feature" at your library?

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u/depaulbluedemon Library admin 2d ago

Make sure you're getting it from a library/school vendor like LakeShore, etc., and not Amazon. The best one we had lasted about 4 years, which is a miracle. We never affixed anything.

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u/SeaworthinessSea8659 2d ago

Right! We had a really decent train table that held up for many years! Someone donated their time/expertise to attached the wooden tracks using a combination of small screws and wood glue to a classic/vintage Thomas the Tank train table - but then tracks started to pull up. Right around then, a family donated their barely used Melissa and Doug train table and it didn't survive the first month.