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Children

Children of all ages are greeted with smiles and helping hands at both Patrick Beaver and Ridgeview Libraries. In addition to the regular collections of fiction, non-fiction, and picture books, some of the services offered specifically for children, parents, and child care givers are:

The library offers children's books on cassettes, CDs and Playaways.

Battle of the Books

Beginning Readers

Look for the green dots on the spines of our Easy readers to find those most suited for children learning to read.

Books on the Go (Preschool Outreach)

This program provides materials and staff to deliver crates of quality preschool books to area day care providers, and present a Story Time while they are there. The response from day care centers has been overwhelming.

Caldecott, Newbery and Coretta Scott King Award Winners

All award winners are marked with a sticker on the spine for ease of locating.

Children's Music

This collection contains the best music produced especially for children.

Children's Videos and DVDs

A wide assortment of children's videos and DVDs are located in the library. Educational items are found with the books on the same subject. Entertainment items are on separate shelves.

Circulating CD-Roms

CD-Roms circulate for 21 days.

Educational Computers

Computers in the Children's Department contain a wide variety of educational and entertainment games for children. Four are specifically for preschool children aged 18 months through 5 years. Seven have internet access, Microsoft Office, NC LIVE and educational games. One preschool computer is in Spanish.

English Coming and Going

A collection of bilingual materials, language instruction recordings and dictionaries is now available in the Children's Department. Funded by Smart Start, these materials are available in Spanish, Hmong, Russian, Vietnamese, and other languages - and all of them can be checked out. A large Spanish collection is available.

Home-Schooling Materials

The library keeps information about the three active local homeschooling groups. A wide variety of materials useful to homeschoolers is available on the Parents' Shelf.

Kits

This combination of book and cassette tape or book and CD is popular especially with beginning readers. The cassette verbalizes the book, with special sounds to let the child know when to turn the page.

Parent Resource Center

A special collection housed in the Children's Department, the PRC contains books on parenting, curriculum, home schooling, teacher planning, music, crafts, and anything else an adult may need who works with children. This collection was initiated by the Hickory Kiwanis Club, and supplemented by Smart Start and City of Hickory funds.

Programs for your Group

The staff would be pleased to speak with your group about programming in Hickory's Public Libraries, children's literature, or a range of other subjects. Call the Children's desk at Patrick Beaver at 304-0500, extension 7271.

Reader's Advisory

There is nothing more satisfying than connecting a child with a book. We can help you find that perfect book to encourage a reluctant reader and motivate a child just learning to read. Want a ghost story? A mystery? Easy reader? Picture book to read to your second-grader? We are here for you. Bring your child, find a book, and curl up to read!   Click here for lists of books on a variety of topics available at the Hickory Public Library.

Reference Services

Yes, children have reference questions, too. We have been asked about the height of the Empire State Building, what the inside of a Colt pistol looks like, and what is the flag of Rwanda? In addition to the cd-rom encyclopedias, we have a good collection of reference materials. Children's staff will be glad to help you find the information you need, and if we don't have it, we'll direct you to someone who does.

Special Programs

Special programs such as storytellers and other performers are offered at various times during the year. Some performers we have sponsored are the Grey Seal Puppets and Dylan Pritchett. See our calendar for planned programs.

Storytimes for Preschool Children

Storytimes at Hickory Public are included on the calendar of events. These storytimes are free of charge, and open to all who want to attend.

Summer Reading Program

Every summer we plan a variety of programming as part of the State Library of North Carolina's themed presentations. In order to encourage reading over the summer, the library offers incentives to any child who reads.

Tours and special programs

We will be glad to arrange a special program or tour of the department for a class or group of children through sixth grade. Please call ahead for arrangements. The library's telephone number is 304-0500, ext. 7271.