Community Library
Services
Youth Services
The Newark Public Library is a pioneer in the area of children's services with innovative programs and services at the Main Library and the ten branch libraries. The Library's Youth Services collection includes a variety of print and non-print materials for children in grades K-8 and for young adults in grades 9-12. Programs are designed for children in preschool through grade 8. The Library is a cultural and educational cornerstone in the lives of all children who live or attend school in Newark.
Programs and Services
Computers and Internet access are available in all children's rooms (branches and Main Library) for children in grades K-8. Word processing for grades K-8 is also available on the computers in the Main Library children's room. Students need to sign up for computer use at their local library. Parents and guardians are encouraged to monitor their child's Internet use.
After school programs include computer activities, story hours, spelling bees, arts & crafts, table games, movies, contests, and special holiday programs. Please call your local branch library or the Main Library children's room for a schedule.
"Hooray For Children" is a free series of live monthly Saturday programs at the Main Library featuring the best in children's programming. Performances by professional puppeteers, storytellers, magicians, actors, dancers, singers, and mimes run from October through May. This series began in 1971 with funding from the New Jersey State Library and continues to be funded by the Community Development Block Grant. All programs are free and open to the public.
Club Success is The Newark Public Library's Homework Club, an after school homework assistance program in the ten branches and in the Main Library children's room. A certified teacher provides direct homework assistance to children in grades 1-8. Volunteer "junior tutors" also assist as peer helpers and all participants earn an achievement certificate. The program began with grants from the New Jersey State Library and The Newark Public Schools and has successfully continued with funding from The Newark Public Schools, The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, and Lucent Technologies Foundation.
The Prudential Foundation's Summer Reading Challenge at The Newark Public Library is a city-wide recreational summer reading program (June-August) for children in grades K-8. Children participate in the program by keeping a reading log as they earn reading incentives and a certificate of achievement for reading 5 books or more.
A variety of Summer Fun activities at the branch libraries and at the Main Library children's room accompany The Summer Reading Challenge. These activities include computer games, arts & crafts, bingo, table games, chess clubs, spelling bees, movies, and story hours. Please call your local branch library or the Main Library children's room for schedules and times. Groups need to call in advance for appointments.
"Create-A-Book" is a citywide activity during National Library Week in April, where children in grades K-8 create a book with original story and illustrations. The child's work can be fiction, non-fiction, photo journal, and poetry or travel log. A noted author/artist judges the entries for winning creations.
Live Saturday programs at the branch libraries began with the reopening of branch Saturday hours. Funded by The Newark Public Schools, programs by professional performers include folk and multicultural stories, science and social studies programs, magic, songs and music, plays and puppetry.
Public, private, and parochial schools may visit the library throughout the school year for class programs, library orientation, tours, and reference assistance. Teachers may call their local branch library at least two weeks in advance to schedule a class visit. To schedule tours at the Main Library please call 973-733-7847.
Preschools and day care centers may visit the library for story hours, film programs, and library instruction throughout the year. To schedule a visit, preschool, and day care providers may call their local branch library or the Main Library children's room at least two weeks in advance.
All programs and activities are free and open to the public. Children's and young adult materials may be borrowed with a valid Newark Public Library card. Class and group visits need to schedule appointments as far in advance as possible.
http://www.npl.org/Pages/KidsPlace/locations.html
©2002 The Newark Public
Library
5 Washington Street
P.O. Box 630 Newark, NJ 07101-0630
(973) 733-7784
