Dover Free Library has been offering
services to the community’s children since its founding
in 1913. Beginning in 2002, thanks to a grant from the Freedman
Foundation, children have had their own space, the children’s room. The beautiful wooden bookcases and
cabinets were handcrafted by local cabinet maker, John Thurber.
Providing a free exchange of information
and equal opportunity to learn, the purpose of the
children’s library is to encourage a love for reading,
learning and imagination. It is a place where fun and
learning go hand in hand. State certified
children’s librarian, Tamara Hamm, currently works 18
hours a week serving the library needs of community children
and their parents. The children’s room is open
during regular library hours.
In the Children’s Room there are collections --books, videos, DVDs and audiobooks--
now totalling over 5,000 items that can be borrowed. For
the youngest of our young patrons (infants and toddlers), there
are fiction and non-fiction picture books and board books.
For children learning to read, easy reader books, early
chapter books and book/audiotape kits are ideal choices.
A large fiction and non-fiction juvenile collection of
chapter books is geared toward readers ages 9-12. The
extensive video, DVD and audio book collection is one of the
largest offered by a public library in the area.
Educators, homeschoolers and parents will appreciate the education resource shelves specifically designed to complement school
curricula.
Other facilities and
equipment include: a
computer center with dedicated on-line access and CD-rom
availability, a listening center, a craft area (photo at left),
puppets, building blocks, puzzles, board games and globes.
Typing tutor, math games, science games, and foreign
language instruction are among the computer programs available
for use by patrons age 12 and under.
The Children’s Garden
(pictured below) is intended
to help children learn about the natural environment, but it
also serves as a source of enjoyment for adults. Make
plans now for taking part in the learning and new life we hope
will flourish in the garden this spring.
Preschool Storytime is conducted every Wednesday of the month (September
through May) beginning at 10:30am. The photo (above left)
features “story time” with Curious George.
School visits by
Dover Elementary School students are held the first and third
Friday of every month. Homeschoolers are encouraged to
contact the children’s librarian to arrange homeschool
visits.
Seasonal programs are offered. Call (348-7488) for details
about seasonal programs.
Family Film Nights are usually held once a month on a Friday,
free and open to the public. We select movies that can be
enjoyed by all age groups and serve refreshments. Check
the HomePage for titles, dates and time.
Children under 14 are welcome to register
for a Library Card with a parent or guardian’s approval.
The co-signing adult assumes responsibility for lost or
damaged materials. Children are allowed to borrow
materials from any area of the library in keeping with the
principles of the Library Bill of Rights of the American
Library Association. We welcome opportunities to suggest
materials to the age and interests of children. Suggested
reading lists are also available free of charge. Final
choices, though, always rest with the children and their
parents. Books may be borrowed for 3 weeks.
Magazines, videos, DVDs, and audiobooks have a loan limit
of 2 items each for a loan period of 1 week. Children may
take advantage of the interlibrary loan system and reservation
policy.
For more information on borrowing, go to
