Exploring books and listening to stories helps foster a child's curiosity and joy towards literature.  It also supports students in developing a deeper understanding of written language as they begin to recognize and identify letters and sounds.  To provide a variety of literary experiences that connect to the curriculum, teachers should select books and materials that are both developmentally and culturally appropriate.  When placing listening materials such as CD players and headphones in this area, it is important that teachers demonstrate proper use and care of this equipment before allowing students to use them independently.  The Library interest area is a Creative Curriculum and ECERS-3 required center.  Depending on classroom space, the reading and listening areas can be separate or combined.