Article: Children's Library Service Article Body There are children's collections in all of our libraries and mobiles, providing books for all ages, from babies to teenagers. It's free to join the library and you can join at any age. Here are a few questions that you may like to ask. How do I join the library? Joining the library is easy. In fact it is possible to borrow two items as soon as you come into the library and let us know your name, age and address. When your parent or carer signs as guarantor and shows identification (something with their name and address on it such as a household bill or a driving licence) you can upgrade to full membership. How many books can I borrow? You can borrow up to ten items at any one time, for up to three weeks. If you need to keep them for longer we can extend the loan for a further three weeks, as long as no one else wants them. Just bring the books into the library or telephone us with your library card handy. What if I bring my books back late? There are no late charges for items borrowed on a children's library card. What if I can't find the book I want? Library staff are on hand to help you find what you want. You can request any book, even if it belongs to another library in Barnsley. Bring along your library card, complete a request and we'll do the rest. Requests are free for children under 14. What can I borrow? We have books for all ages, both stories and information books. There is a great range of books on CD for those who prefer to listen to stories. Here is what you will find: For the under 7s Board books - small, chunky books just right for little hands. Ideal for sharing with babies. Picture books - with lots of pictures and not too much writing. Great to read with young children. Learning to read - books aimed at children beginning to read on their own. Easy to Read (7 to 9 years) Short stories for children who have just started reading on their own. The books have large writing and plenty of pictures. This is the time to let them choose what they would like to read for themselves. You could also try listening to a book on CD - perfect for bedtime. Children's fiction (8 to 12 years) Longer stories for older children. Lots of favourite authors such as Jaqueline Wilson, Philip Pullman and Anthony Horowitz. This is the time when children are likely to want to read independently. It's an important time to experiment with different types of books and discover what they like. If a full book's too much, let them try our joke books or graphic novels instead. There's a great collection of books on CD for this age group too. Teenage reading (12 to 14 years) Stories written for teenagers. We also have some information books on subjects like relationships and health. Encourage teenagers to chat on the internet about books. Good sites include Teenreads.com and Readingzone.com Information We have a great range of information books for homework or leisure interests. There really is something for everyone. Want to read some Indian folk tales? Find them at the library. Fancy taking up wrestling? Find out how at the library. You can also try our great range of Online Reference Resources for help with your homework or to answer that tricky quiz question. CDs and DVDs There's a great range of story and song CDs that can be borrowed free of charge and you can take up to four at a time. Try playing them in the car or at bedtime. Family films on DVD can be borrowed with an adult library card and there is a small charge. Choose from old favourites and brand new releases. Parents' Collections Collections of books on parenting issues are available at all libraries. Subjects include pregnancy, child health and behaviour and education. There are also books to use with children to help them to overcome problems and issues. ICT PCs with internet access are available to use free in all libraries in Barnsley. There is a small charge for printing. Under 16s will need to have an internet permission slip (available at the library) signed by a parent or guardian in order to use the library computers. Story and Rhyme Times Come along to any of the Story and Rhyme times held in Barnsley Libraries to enjoy rhymes, stories and songs. All events are free of charge and open to all parents/carers with babies and toddlers. For more details contact individual branch libraries or ring Bookstart on 773935. Library Library Day and time Session details Age range Barnsley Central Telephone 01226 773952 Monday (weekly) 9.45am to 10.30am 11.00am to 11.45am Due to the popularity of this group, we are now offering a choice of two sessions. 0 to 2 years Barnsley Central (Contact Dodworth and Gilroyd Children's Centre Telephone 01226 294584) Monday (weekly) 2.00pm to 3.00pm Provided by outreach staff from local Children's Centres. Come along with your children for lots of fun, stories and a sing-along. 0 to 4 years Barnsley Central Telephone 01226 773952 Tuesday (weekly, term time) 10.00am to 10.45am 2 to 4 years Barnsley Central Telephone 01226 773952 Thursday (weekly) 1.30pm to 2.30pm 0 to 4 years Cudworth Centre of Ecxcellence Telephone 01226 710535 Friday (weekly) 1.45pm to 2.45pm 0 to 4 years Darfield Library Telephone 01226 752548 Thursday (weekly) 10.00am to 10.45am 0 to 4 years Dearne Community Children's Centre (Bolton on Dearne) Telephone 01226 752548 Thursday (weekly, term time) Rhyme times at 1.40pm and 2.15pm 0 to 4 years Dodworth Library Telephone 01226 281395 Tuesday (fortnightly, term time) 2.00pm to 3.00pm Run by outreach staff from local Children's Centre. Please check with the library for dates 0 - 4 years Dodworth Library Telephone 01226 281395 Thursday (4 weekly) 10.00am to 11:00am Please check with the library for dates 0 to 4 years Goldthorpe Library Telephone 01226 893278 Tuesday (weekly) 10.00am to 10.45am Run by outreach staff from local Children's Centres 0 to 4 years Hoyland Telephone 01226 355832 Monday (weekly) 10.15am to 11.15am Run by outreach staff from local Children's Centres. Please check with the library for dates and times 0 to 4 years Mapplewell and Staincross Library Telephone 01226 382309 Monday (weekly, term time) 9.30am to 11.00am Run jointly with staff form local Childrens Centre 0 to 4 years Monk Bretton Telephone 01226 206714 Wednesday (weekly) 1.30pm to 3.00pm New families are welcome 0 to 4 years Monk Bretton Telephone 01226 206714 Thursday (fortnightly) 2.00pm to 3.00pm Run by outreach staff from local Children's Centre. Please check with the library for dates and times 0 to 4 years Penistone Telephone 01226 762313 Wednesday (weekly) 10.00am to 11.00am This is held when the library is closed to the general pulbic and is now run by outreach staff from local Children's Centre. Please check with the library for dates 0 to 4 years Wombwell Telephone 01226 753846 Tuesday (weekly) 10.00am to 10.45am 0 to 4 years Worsbrough Telephone 01226 203372 Monday (weekly term time) 10.30am to 11.30am Run by PSA from 0 to 4 years Worsbrough Telephone 01226 203372 Tuesday (weekly) 10.30am to 11.30am 0 to 4 years What else is available? Bookstart Bookstart is a national programme that encourages all parents and carers to enjoy books with their children from as early an age as possible. Study Support View the pages at Study Support for more details Holiday Activities We have children's activities during most school holidays and sometimes during term-time. Look for posters or ask at your branch. Children's Collections Collections of Children's material are available at Jump Children's and Adult Learning Centre, Blacker Hill Lifelong Learning Centre and Dearne Community Children's Centre. The venues are open for material to be borrowed as follows: Jump Children's Centre, Church Street, Jump. Monday 12.00 to 1.00pm Blacker Hill LLC, Wentworth Rd, Blacker Hill. Friday 9.30am to 11.30am Dearne Community Children's Centre, Thursday (term-time) 1.30pm to 4.00pm School Class Visits School class visits to libraries can be arranged. Telephone Central Library 01226 773952 for details. Barnsley Central Library is a public access building, Barnsley Council and the PCT have worked in partnership with Disabled Go to develop an access guide for disabled people, their friends, family, carers and colleagues in relation to such buildings. More information is available on our Disabled Go webpage. Dont Forget! We're here to help - if you have any questions, just ask. Also, if you have any suggestions as to how the Children's Library could be made better, we would like to hear from you. Here are the contact details for Children's Services: Mail Children's Services Central Library Shambles Street Barnsley South Yorkshire S70 2JF Telephone 01226 773952 Email BarnsleyLibraryEnquiries@barnsley.gov.uk