Early Childhood Resource Center

WELCOME to the Falmouth Public Library Early Childhood Resource Center!

We are one of only five centers located in Massachusetts and the only one located on the Cape. This center is funded by a grant from the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care.

What is an Early Childhood Resource Center? Since 1992, Early Childhood Resource Center (ECRC) has made materials and resources available to the early childhood community across the state. Materials, services and programs are available for loan (at no cost) to teachers, students, administrators, child care providers, parents and others interested in the education and care of young children. The materials in this collection can be taken out with your CLAMS library card. If you do not have a CLAMS card you can apply for a FREE library card in the Children's Room. The ECRC is sponsored by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care.

How to search our ECRC Collections:

• In order to view our entire collections, in the upper right hand corner you can see Catalog Search.
• Where it says “Title” pull down the menu to “Local Call Number”.
• Then type in ECRC in the blank box.
• Click search.
• From this screen you can then limit the list even further by clicking the "LIMIT/SORT SEARCH" button.

Special Collections Available:
Kids on the Block Puppets
Ellison Machine and Dies

Web site Resources:
WGBH has a great downloadable kit called "Kids, Media and Values—A Wake-Up Call". The kit reveals the truth about kids and media along with tips, tools and resources to help families make smart choices about the use of media in their homes.

Another great resource comes to you from The Alliance for Childhood. This report is called "Crisis in the Kindergarten Why Children Need to Play in School". This report stresses the importance of play and why it is needed in school.

To contact us please call 508 - 457 - 2555 x5 or email Laura Ford, Children's Librarian at

Where are the other Early Childhood Resource Centers (ECRC)? There are currently 5 Resource Centers in Massachusetts:

Northeast area:
Haverhill Public Library- 99 Main Street Haverhill, MA 01830 978-373-1586/1588 x630 Contact: Leslie Todd, Head of Youth Services or Kathy Alexander

Boston area:
Cambridge Public Library - 449 Broadway Cambridge, MA 02139 617-349-4409 Contact: Daryl Mark

Southeast area:
Norfolk Public Library - 139 Main St. Norfolk, MA 02056 508-258-3380 Contact: Robin Glasser, Director or Connie Jones

Cape & Islands area:
Falmouth Public Library - 300 Main St. Falmouth, MA 02540 508-457-2555 x 5 Contact: Laura Ford, Children's Librarian

Western area:
Springfield City Library - 220 State St. Springfield, MA 01103 413-263-6828 Contact: Christin LaRocque