Welcome to the Children’s
and Youth Services Department!

The Children’s and the Young Adult areas that comprise the Youth Services Department are both located on the first floor. The Youth Services collection features non – fiction, and fiction books, magazines, comic books, reference materials, puppets, puzzles, and books on tape and CD, large print, bilingual books, and Spanish language books. There are two  computers with access to the Internet upon request, and word processing workstation available for use, in addition to the library public access catalog (PAC). Programs are offered throughout the year for ages 2 and up. Jody Day, Children’s Librarian, staffs the Children’s and Youth Services Department.

Questions about the Children’s Department please call 413 322-5635 or email

The Holyoke Public Library would like to thank the following organizations for sponsoring the 2006 Summer Reading Program:

Young visitors may enjoy story times and special programs for all ages. There are several story time programs throughout the year. Some are specially designed for toddlers, while others are for preschoolers, school age children, or for families.

Summer Reading Program – Encourages children to maintain their reading skills during summer vacation. Children record time spent reading, receive reading incentives and awards, and attend special entertainment programs. Children who do not read independently may join the Read-To-Me Club.

Preschool Story Times – Developmentally appropriate stories and activities for 3 to 5 year olds, who are ready to attend independently or with a parent or caregiver.

Special Programs - These programs for a variety of ages may include puppet shows, story and craft programs, musical programs and holiday celebrations.

Computers - available in the Children's Room provide a variety of educational resources, Internet access and word processing capabilities. Some computers have additional educational games provided for young children. Selected electronic resources appropriate for children are available on the Library's Web page and students receive help in selecting and evaluating Web sites.

Reading is Essential Program - a program designed to empower parents to take a more active role in the education, health, and welfare of their children through a variety of programs and services that recognize the importance of parent involvement in the intellectual development of their children.  Its activities will complement and strengthen the work of other organizations and agencies in the community and surrounding areas.

Components of the program include programming for children 0 to 5 years old, program series for parents and caregivers, family programs for young children & their parents together, resource collection, and more.

For more information on the Early Childhood Program, the importance of reading to your child, and books & resources, visit your local public library or call us at (413) 322-5640.

Collections:

                    Children's - Board books, picture books for infants, toddlers and preschoolers. Children's stories, magazines and nonfiction for ages 5 to 12. Children's stories and music on audiocassette; unabridged children's books-on-cassette; cassette/book kits; CD-ROMs for children ages 3-12 and children's videos. Specialized lists of books and videos for various ages and interests and professional advice for individuals.

                    Young Adult - A separate collection of fiction and nonfiction books, magazines, reference materials, unabridged books-on-cassette for ages 12 to 16.

                    Specialized lists for books and other media and professional advice for individuals.

                    Parenting Collection - A collection of books, videos and magazines for parents to help them with homework, activities, and issues ranging from toilet training to divorce.

1. The library does not provide care or supervision of children, except to the extent needed to uphold library rules of conduct and use, and does not accept responsibility for such care. Parents or other caregivers are responsible for their children's behavior.

2. Children under the age of eight or in third grade may not be left unattended in the library, except during scheduled library-sponsored programs.

3. Children age nine and older may be left unattended providing they are mature enough to stay alone and observe proper conduct. Such children are subject to the same rules of conduct as other patrons and the same consequences, including being asked to leave the library. This possibility should be taken into account by the parents/guardians when deciding whether to leave a child unattended in the library.

4. Children of any age with mental, physical, or emotional problems which render supervision necessary shall be accompanied by a parent or other caregiver at all times.

5. Children left unattended in the library in violation of this policy may be considered a child in need of care, and the matter referred to the Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services or other authorities.

6. During school hours, minors are not allowed in the library without accompanied by their guardians.

Approved: Holyoke Public Library Board of Directors – April 10, 2007

Users must present a C/WMARS library card in good standing each time they want to use the computers.

Users must sign up at the Circulation desk and notify staff when they are done.

Children ages 12 and younger may register to use the Children's Area computers. Computers are intended for children ages 5 and older.

Users may sign up for one hour of time. There is a 2 hours per day limit on Internet use for each child. If a new user  arrives, they must yield the computer immediately.

It is the responsibility of parents/caregivers to assure appropriate use of computers and the Internet.

Only when needed for homework/research during the school year, will these two computers be connected to access the Internet.

There is a limit of one person per computer unless a child is accompanied by a parent/caregiver

It is forbidden to use the computers for illegal purposes and unauthorized access, including hacking.

Users may not install any software or programs on library computers or download from the Internet.

Use of false identity or stolen library card numbers will lose library use privileges.

Violators of these policies will lose computer privileges.

Computers are shut down 15 minutes before closing time.

Printing is 15 cents per page.

The Internet can be informational and fun, but it may also contain information that may not be true or that may make you feel uncomfortable. Parents are strongly urged to work with their children to develop rules for use of the library and the Internet.

To learn more about keeping your child safe will surfing the Internet visit the following sites:

Kids Rules for Online Safety at http://www.safekids.com/kidsrules.htm

American Library Association at http://www.ala.org/parentspage/greatsites/safety.html

Safe Kids at http://safekids.com/

Child Safety on the Information Highway at http://www.ncmec.org/html/ncmec_default_child_safety.html