General Information:

There are a number of programs for various age groups. All programs are free but registration is always required and often limited. Sign up for any program by calling Young People’s Services at 274-7071 or by stopping in.

• Storytimes – Family Storytime will be offered at both the Main and Lansingburgh branches for children up to the age of 5, accompanied by parents and caregivers. We will share stories, rhymes, songs and simple crafts.

• Summer Reading Club, a yearly summer project, encourages kids to read and keep track of books read over the summer, and to attend summer programs at the library. The theme for each year is based on a statewide theme, and special bookmarks, prizes, and certificates are awarded to participants.

• Other Programs are offered throughout the year. Ask for a current calendar of events in the Young People’s Room or at either of our branches.

In addition to the programs and services offered by the Young People’s Department of Troy Public Library, information about recreational, educational, cultural, and social service activities and programs for families and children in Troy, Lansingburgh, and Rensselaer County may be found on the Connected Kids Web site.  Also, please check out ALA’s best websites for Kids for online activities and more.

Collections:

• Young People’s Collection: We have a junior reference section, a non-fiction collection ranging from picture books to middle school level books, book and cassette kits, magazines for kids and for parents and teachers, a parent-teacher section, circulating vertical file information on a variety of topics, and an entire room dedicated to fiction. The fiction is divided into chapter books, easy readers, picture books, and toddler books. Bibliographies are available on a number of topics.

• Please note: Children have access to all of the materials in the library. Our staff may not and will not refuse to check out materials to a borrower because of his or her age. The exception is videos; patrons under the age of 18 may only borrow videos if accompanied by a parent. Ultimately, parents are responsible for their children’s choice of materials.

• Young Adult Collection: Popular fiction, classics that often appear on school reading lists, and current non-fiction of interest to teenagers can be found in the “YA” collection. Some of the most asked-for titles are shelved in a special YA section located on the landing at the top left side of the marble staircase. They are easily identified by the bright yellow “YA” stickers with red letters.

Other Services:

• Computers: There is a PC available to young people in this department. Children can sign up for a half-hour time slot. A variety of software programs are available. Word processing and Internet access are available on a Children’s Terminal in the Reference Department. The library Internet and Computer Policy requires a parent or guardian signature for patrons under the age of 18, and parents/guardians are responsible for monitoring their child’s use of this resource. Children under 8 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at the computer.
• Group Visits and Tours: The staff of Young People’s Services will give tours of the main library as well as storytimes or book talks for school classes, scout troops or other groups at any of our locations. Arrangements must be made in advance by calling Young People’s Services at 274-7071.
• Visits to Schools: Staff from the Young People’s Services Department will visit a classroom or school to promote the library and reading. Visits are traditionally scheduled toward the end of the school year to encourage participation in the summer reading club, but can be scheduled at any time during the school year.
• Preschool Lending Library: Nursery schools and day cares can apply for an institutional card, which can be used to check out a classroom collection of picture books that the Young People’s Services staff will select and check out. The books must be picked up at the Main Library but can be returned to any branch.
• Volunteers: The Young People’s Services Department has a number of opportunities for volunteers, student interns, and scouts earning badges.
• Children Policy: In the interest of the safety of children, it is the library’s policy that children under seven NOT be left unattended at the library at any time.