After 14 years of service on the Hillsboro City Council and decades as an educator and community volunteer, former Mayor Steve Callaway’s legacy of service in Hillsboro is now honored in the perfect place.

The Steve Callaway Children’s Area of the Brookwood Library was dedicated on Saturday, October 18. 

  

A Place for Early Literacy & Learning

The children’s area at Brookwood Library measures approximately 4,000 square feet and holds more than 41,000 items for Hillsboro’s youngest library patrons. Books and other materials are available in 18 languages for babies, preschoolers, and early elementary children.

 

New front-facing shelving was added to the area during a recent refresh. Front-facing shelving is highly valuable for children by

• encouraging browsing
• supporting independent decision-making
• fostering a love of reading

Showcasing book covers makes it easier for children to:

• choose books
• discover new titles
• feel more engaged with the library

In addition to library materials, family-friendly seating, and an engaging play space, the children’s area includes a Quiet Room that features reading spaces with soft seating, dim lighting, and calming music to soothe children who benefit from a cozy environment.

“We are delighted to name this space in Steve Callaway’s honor to recognize the important role he has played in supporting libraries and learning in Hillsboro,” said Library Director Tammy Wallin. “Learning and literacy are at the core of what we do at the library, and Hillsboro Public Library has always enjoyed strong support from Steve since he values those things as much as we do.”

“My goal is for every child who lives in Hillsboro, that their story would begin with ‘Once upon a time’... and close with ‘...and they lived happily ever after,’” Callaway said.

“With my background in education, I’ve always understood that the ability to read is a foundational life skill that provides independence and critical-thinking skills. Reading can transport you anywhere, into the past, into the future, it can unlock your imagination, guide your dreams, and fuel your ambitions. Early literacy is the key to learning to read.

“The strongest and most important partnership we have as a community is between our libraries and our homes and our schools. The one thing all of these educational entities have in common is they use the libraries. The library is the foundation of our democracy. The fact that everyone has access to our libraries is evidence of that.”

“As a father, teacher, and principal, there was nothing more important, then helping children become fluent readers," reflected Callaway. "With fluency comes independence and thought. And dreams and understanding. Inspiration and resilience.”