Providing materials for children is one of the library's primary goals. In addition to books, our children's sections offer music, DVDs, audiobooks, magazines, comics. The collections are divided into reading levels. The "SE" collection is for the very youngest babies and toddlers. "Easy books" are the next level up for those who are learning to read or being read to. The "Juvenile" collection is for slightly older children who are ready for chapter books. And, finally the "YA" collection is geared towards teens. YA nonfiction books are mixed in with the larger adult nonfiction collection.
Young children will also enjoy Tumblebooks, an online collection of animated picture books.
A Peek-A-Book kiosk entertains a young reader.
The children's area of each library also has a play area with toys and games 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. Columbia and Fulton libraries also have Peek-A-Book kiosks that let children watch video previews of picture books.
Story Times & Family Programs – Each library has regular story times for small children and periodically brings in storytellers, musicians and all types of family entertainers.
Summer Reading – 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 – DBRL's smaller bookmobile is devoted to children's and parenting materials and visits community centers around Columbia.
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.
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