YOUTH SERVICES
PRINCETON PUBLIC LIBRARY
W E LCOME
T
he Youth Services Department of Princeton Public Library offers a wide range of services and programs for young people of all ages, their parents or guardians and the professionals with whom they work, along with a first-rate collection of books, DVDs, CDs. With so much happening for young people and their parents, you might wonder where to start? A good place would be with a Princeton Public Library Card. Cards are issued free to residents of Princeton Borough and Princeton Township and teachers and are available for a fee to those who work or go to school in Princeton. Non-residents can purchase cards and are welcome to attend programs, use our computers and get answers at the library.
Stay Connected
Website: www.princetonlibrary.org Connections: The library’s award-winning quarterly magazine includes feature stories and an events calendar. Available online or in the library. This Week at Princeton Public Library: News about events and services delivered to your inbox each Monday. Subscribe on the homepage at www.princetonlibrary.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/PPLnj Twitter: @PrincetonPL
Collection by the Numbers CHILDREN’S Print books 52,879 Music CDs 903 Audiobooks 1,867 Video 2,566
TEEN Print books: 7,377 Audiobooks 638 Video 178
SOFTWARE Programs for borrowing 125 GAMES Titles for Nintendo, Wii, Xbox 360, PS3 152
PLUS: A wide variety of digital research, film and music resources as detailed in this brochure
H O MEWORK H E L P
Supporting student achievement at all ages Springboard: After-school homework help from teachers, Princeton University students and adult community volunteers is available 3:30-6 p.m. every Monday-Thursday when Princeton Regional Schools are in session. Students in all grades from all Princeton schools are welcome and registration is not required. Brainfuse: Live, online homework help, skills-building, writing assistance, test preparation and more is available 2-11 p.m. daily by clicking the BrainFuse Link on www.princetonlibrary.org Crunch Time: Before midterm and final exams, we host extended-hour sessions for high school students. Refreshments are served. Databases: The library has one of the most comprehensive collections of digital information sources available anywhere. Staff: Friendly and helpful people will help you find precisely what you need. Springboard is made possible through the generosity of the Concordia Foundation and the J. Seward Johnson Foundation. Brainfuse is made possible through the generosity of Princeton University.
INFANTS I TODDLERS I PRESCHOOLERS A focus on fun and early literacy
Story Times: At some point in every day, there is a story being told at the library. We host a dozen Story Times for children of all ages each week, including stories in five world languages. School Visits: We are out in the community visiting preschools and supporting teachers in promoting the benefits of early childhood literacy for lifelong learning. Nursery and Kindergarten Fair: We can help you find the preschool that is right for your child by hosting an annual gathering of representatives of Princeton’s preschools. Book Bundles: We compile great read-alouds for infants through age 4 and package them for easy borrowing. Activity Room: Our third floor Activity Room is open most times of the day for infants, toddler and their parents to play and socialize. Tumblebooks: With a Princeton Public Library card or on computers in the library, early readers and their parents can gain access to a collection of animated, talking picture books which teach the joy of reading in a format you’ll love. Playaway Views: The library has a collection of these portable, pre-loaded, self-playing video players, each of which holds multiple videos from Sesame Street, Weston Woods, Spoken Arts and other studios. Wee Reads: Our summer reading club for preschoolers, which rewards families who participate in early literacy exercises, has become a model for libraries nationwide.
ELEMENTARY SCH O O L E R S Supporting reading growth and social development Children’s Book Festival: Every September, the library connects readers with writers, bringing 60 of top national and regional authors and illustrators to Hinds Plaza. Readers Advisory: Stumped for what to read? Tell us what you’ve read and we’ll make suggestions tailor-made for you. Book Lists: Since we’re experts on what kids are reading, we can generate gradespecific lists of recommended titles for children. Clubs: We have age-specific clubs where kids can meet other kids who love stories and reading: Children and Stories (ages 5-7), Heads and Tales (ages 7-9) and Word for Word (ages 10-12). Reading to Emma: Emma the reading therapy dog is here Monday afternoons at 4 to “listen” to reluctant readers. Game On: Each Friday at 4, the focus is on fun as young poeple are invited to play video games. Summer Reading Club: Each year, we plan a series of events around a theme while elementary-school-age children read for rewards.
TEENS A place where teens feel at home School Reading Lists: The library keeps comprehensive lists of books assigned at area high schools and has multiple copies to borrow in a variety of formats. Digital Resources: Need help learning a language? Try our free online Mango service. Want to legally download free music you can keep forever? You can do it with Freegal. Searching for a documentary for a research paper? Our Films on Demand service gives you free access to thousands of films to stream on your computer. College Essay Night: Hear from the experts what colleges are looking for in a college admissions application essay at this annual event. A Cappella Night: In cooperation with the Corner House Student Board, we present this popular after-hours event, the only gathering of a cappella ensembles from all four Princeton high schools. Clubs: We have several ways for teens to meet others interested in having a say in library services or discussing books. Go-Between Club, for middle school students, meets monthly in library to talk about books and other interests. Teen Advisory Board is an application-only peer leadership opportunity for high school students. Those in middle school and high school who love graphic novels can join the monthly meetings of our Graphic Novel/Manga Club. Game On: Each Friday at 4, the focus is on fun as young peoople come together to play video games. Summer enrichment programs: To get teens ready for school, we host Count Me In, a weeklong math camp for girls in grades 6-9, and the Epic and the Odyssey, for rising ninth-graders. Princeton Student Film and Video Festival: This acclaimed two-night festival, held every July, showcases the best work by local, national and international student filmmakers. Princeton Environmental Film Festival: One of the top festivals on the national environmental circuit, PEFF presents award-winning films and noted speakers. Volunteer opportunities: Each summer, a group of dedicated teens helps us with Summer Reading Club and other tasks around the library. Look online for applications. Summer Reading Club for Teens: Read for rewards like ice cream treats and the chance to win prizes such as Kindles and iPads.
PA R ENTS
Resources for parenting Collection: The library has a comprehensive collection of books and other materials reflecting the latest thinking about parenting children of all ages. Ask us for suggestions. Series: We host series on topics of interest to parents, including early brain development, youth health issues and the influence of the Internet. See our quarterly magazine, Connections, for details. Book A Trip: Keep the library in mind when planning your vacation. Fill out the Book A Trip form on www.princetonlibrary.org, let us know what you like and we’ll create a package of materials and have them waiting for you at the Youth Services Desk.
ED UC ATOR S Helping teachers learn Collection: We have a wide range of books to support the professional development of teachers from preschool through grade 12. Ask us to direct you to the Professional Collection. Curriculum Support Services: Our staff can suggest materials from the library’s collection to assist your teaching or to aid in research by your students. Digital Resources: Looking for a way to reinforce the language you’re teaching? Suggest that your students check out our free online Mango service. Searching for a film to show in class? Choose from thousands of documentaries in our Films on Demand collection, which can be web streamed into your classroom. Art Board: If you’d like to exhibit artwork by your students, the third floor has a large diplay area that can serve as a gallery for work by your students.
YOUTH S E RVI CE S STA FF LucĂa Acosta
lacosta@princetonlibrary.org
Susan Conlon
sconlon@princetonlibrary.org
Pamela Groves
pgroves@princetonlibrary.org
Martha Perry Liu mliu@princetonlibrary.org Allison Santos
asantos@princetonlibrary.org
Ann Woodrow
awoodrow@princetonlibrary.org
Learn more about all Youth Services: Visit www.princetonlibrary.org or call Youth Services Team Facilitator Susan Conlon, 609.924.9529, ext. 247
Princeton Public Library I Sands Library Building I 65 Witherspoon St. I 609.924.9529 I www.princetonlibrary.org