Children's Services Philosophy |
• each child is unique
• children merit individual choice of reading material
• parents provide for the safety of their children under 10 by accompanying them at all times
• parents are responsible for providing materials selection guidance to their own children
• parents model appropriate library behavior by speaking quietly, selecting books, and reading to their young children
• maintains balance between quality and popular materials
• provides for the pleasure and informational needs of children, teachers, and parents.
• encompasses circulating board books, paperback and hardcover books, books on tape or CD, music CD's, DVD's, and magazines
• includes in-house print and online reference sources and CD-ROM games
• materials for ages birth to 7 are labeled JJ and are found beyond the fireplace
• materials for ages 8 to 13 are labeled J and are found in front of the public desk
We welcome children from birth on. Breast and bottle feeding of infants is permitted. We have a large collection of board books and lullabies on CD, as well as parent books targeting caregivers with infants.
We offer the program Lapsit Storytime on a rotating basis. This program is designed to enhance the rapid brain development that occurs in the very young. It combines reading of books, finger and toe play, chants, and music. Caregivers sit in a circle with their little one and are welcome to stay and visit with each other after the program.
Gale Free Library is now offering assistance for Holden parents seeking to introduce literacy and the library to their newborns. Parents of babies, six months and younger, are invited to stop in at the Children's Room desk to pick up a free newborn literacy kit. As these are the library's gifts to the newest citizens of Holden, they do not need to be returned. Each kit, designed to educate parents and instill reading-readiness in babies, contain age-appropriate board books, a nursery rhyme CD, early literacy brochures and resources, and other related items. To qualify for a free kit, you must: 1. be a resident of Holden, 2. be the parent/guardian of a baby 6 months or younger, 3. bring the baby's birth certificate to the library when picking up the kit. As quantities are limited,
please limit one per family. Funds for these materials were provided entirely through a grant from Verizon Foundation through CMRLS.
Our collection provides a huge collection of materials for this age, including picture books, music CD's, and DVD's, as well as parent materials for caregivers of this age.
We offer the program Lapsit Storytime on a rotating basis for infants through ages 3 1/2 and their caregiver. In this themed program emphasizing repetition and participation, we read stories, chant, do fingerplays and creative dramatics, and sing.
We own many picture books for preschoolers, including special collections of holiday, Caldecott award-winning and issues focused books. We also provide books with audiotapes, DVD's, and music CD's.
Preschool Storytime is offered on a regular basis for children 3 1/2 to 5. This themed weekly series includes stories, fingerplays, songs, a short film and related art activity. Children go into the program room alone.
Service to School-aged Children |
A vast range of materials is provided for the pleasure reading and homework needs of children in elementary or middle school.
Varied, seasonal programs are conducted for this age group. These may include stories, films, crafts, and board or word games. Family programs are scheduled at times which meet the needs of working parents.
Outreach to Holden children in grades 1 through 5 occurs during the school year.
A special space and collection have been set aside on the first floor to accommodate the unique developmental needs of young people from ages 12 to 18. The YA collection is marked with yellow dots. These books generally contain realistic, controversial themes relating to coming of age. Outreach to the Mountview Middle School occurs each spring.
A teacher collection contains a broad range of lesson planning, classroom management, and educational philosophy materials.
Teachers who call the Children's Room with advance notice may also request a deposit of books on a single topic or by a single author to be put aside for pick-up. (For example, Eric Carle or the New England states.)
The Parent Collection contains material helpful to those involved with children. Books are provided for the caregivers audience as well as for use with children.
Some topics addressed through this collection are abuse, adoptions, death, development, discipline, divorce, emotions, family, gender issues, illness, new sibling, potty training, self esteem, sexuality, sleep issues, and teenage behavior.
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