Collections for Children
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Children of all ages can find something engaging to do in our children's areas.
Providing materials for children is one of the library's primary goals. In addition to print books, we offer music, DVDs, eBooks, audiobooks, magazines and comics. Your library offers:
- A "Start Early" (labeled "SE") collection of board books for babies and toddlers.
- Picture books (labeled "E" for "Easy books").
- Chapter books (labeled "J" for "Juvenile").
- YA books for teens.
- Kits [2] for children and expectant parents.
Young children will also enjoy Tumblebooks [3] and EZTales [4], online collections of animated picture books.
Play Areas & Computers at the Libraries
The children's area of each library has a play area with toys and parenting materials. Each library also has one or more computers just for children loaded with educational games. These computers do not have Internet access.
Programs for Kids
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We offer regularly scheduled story times at each of our libraries.
Story Times & Family Programs [6] – Each library has regular story times for small children and periodically brings in storytellers, musicians and all types of family entertainers.
Summer Reading [7] – All of our libraries and the bookmobile together conduct a special summer reading program each year to encourage children and teens to continue to read and learn while they’re on school break.
Youth Outreach Bookmobile [8] – DBRL's smaller bookmobile is devoted to children's materials and visits community centers around Columbia, county child care centers and special events.
DBRL Kids Blog
DBRL Kids [9] is an online resource for parents and caregivers. Learn about the latest children's books, find fun activities to share with your little ones and read about upcoming kid-friendly events at your library and in the community.
Library Tours & Visits
If you or your group would like a tour of one of the libraries, we would be happy to show you around. Tours can be customized to feature demonstrations of resources such as the online catalog, reference databases and various specialized collections and services. We can also visit schools and other organizations.
Request a Tour [10]
Request a Visit From the Library [11]
Dial-A-Story
Kids in the Mid-Missouri area may call Dial-A-Story (573) 817-7177 for a brief story or fairy tale. Different stories are featured each week.