MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- The Miramar library held its first children’s story time in the new children’s section of the library March 15 at 11 a.m.

The library plans to continue weekly story time every Thursday morning to coincide with the Bob Hope Theater’s weekly afternoon showing of the newest children’s movie.

Located inside the station’s main library in building 5305, the children’s section was originally found in the reference area of the  library next to the computers and main entrance. Before the section moved, library patrons complained about the distracting noises the children made, according to Gail T. Short, the children’s library coordinator.

Coordinators also feared the children would slip by their parents and out the front door, motivating library staff to strategically place chairs between the children and the exit.

The new section, farther back in the library, is distanced from the exits and confined, helping to limit youthful enthusiasm spilling into the other areas of the library.

Attendees of story time – all weekly visitors to the children’s library – were very impressed with the new accommodations.

“I love that it’s in its own room so you can shut the door and they can be themselves,” said Kara R. Scarbrough, a stay at home mother-of-two. “They can enjoy the books and not worry about being quiet.”

Scarbrough’s children, Jordan, 2, and Kiersten, 4, both attended the children’s story time, and Kiersten spent most of the time trying to decide which new book to take home.

Natalie A. Raffa brought her goddaughter, Sara DeLapena, 2, to the revamped room and was enthusiastic about the newest decorations, space and book selection.

“The numbers of books we have increases daily,” said Short. “We used to run on donation, but now we have a budget to buy the newest titles in books and DVDs.”

The new library will soon receive three computers featuring interactive reading programs designed to encourage children to delve farther into the story, explained Short.

Computers enhance or encourage a love of reading that the children can amplify through the library’s selections of books to check-out and take home.

“We try to encourage the kids to place books as a first priority,” said Short. “Computers are great, but they have their place. I know when I go to bed at night, I would rather snuggle up in my covers with a book, not a computer.”

Just outside the children’s library is the young adult section – a work in progress. Short felt it was important to define the reading selections, giving the young adults a more independent space.

Short plans on incorporating California’s summer reading program, “Get a Clue at Your Library,” into the library’s summer schedule.

The library will invite children and young adults from the station youth centers to tour the shelves April 19.