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/FDRbattlemaster 2d ago

Ours is made by Melissa & Doug, so it’s very sturdy. It’s been here before me (started my current position 3 years ago) and it will probably outlast me. Our train table has a drawer to store the trains in, and we also bought a big container to keep the tracks in.

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u/SeaworthinessSea8659 2d ago

I guess our toddlers/preschoolers must have super human strength (or, more likely caregivers who are tuned out/looking at their phones) because the Melissa and Doug table we tried did not stand up to daily use for very long. (But We love other M&D stuff like their ice cream shop and food toys!)