Children's Library :: Upper Norwood Joint Library

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Our Children’s Library is a colourful and lively centre with a notice board for children’s local events and services, display boards for art from local schools, and a colouring table with crayons for small children. There are toys, a cosy corner and a collection of magazines and comics. We provide tables for study and various information leaflets and booklets for parents and carers.

Click here for a list of children’s items for borrowing

Click here to see our children’s regular events

What our members say

“I’m sure my girls would love to sign up to this year’s reading challenge, I would like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you! The Circus challenge last year helped my eldest daughters interest in reading so much, she jumped three levels at school and is never without a book these days!”

“Waggle and Hum” reintroduced me and my family to using a library. Now we visit once a week at least and my daughter enjoys reading books. It was also very good for me to learn the nursery rhymes again and meet other mothers and babies. We have made friends for life.”

“This is a splendid library – no matter how many times I bring my children, there are always more beautiful books than we have sufficient tickets to take out. We all love coming here. The staff are fabulous – they couldn’t be more helpful and the events are great too. We are very grateful for this splendid library! The Children’s Librarian in particular is always very kind to my children.”

Children’s Library News

Saturday Waggle and Hum
We have started a regular Saturday session for dads (although mums and other relatives are also welcome) at 10.30am once every 4 weeks. See our Special events page for details.

DID YOU KNOW? – Fact Feature

FACT 1:
We have a section of books called ‘Wordwise’ books. These books are specially written and printed for people who have dyslexia or similar conditions. They are special because they are printed on pale yellow paper, have more space between each line of text, the font is clear and slightly bigger than normal and there are pictures to aid the story. The storyline is fast-paced to encourage the reader to continue. If you know of anyone who finds it difficult to read or who is a reluctant reader, please ask a member of staff to show you where the books are kept (they are in the alcove next to the lift on the ground floor). All the books have an owl on the spine like this:

FACT 2:
The library subscribes to 2 magazines for children. One is Animal Action, the junior version of the RSPCA journal. The other is Puffin Post for Pufflings which is the magazine Puffin publishers produce for younger readers aged 5-8. Both are packed with information, fun things to do and competitions to enter. They can be found on the windowsill next to the Childcare section in the Junior Library area. Once you have enjoyed them, please return everything to the boxes provided.

FACT 3:
As well as Nintendo Wii games we now have a small selection of Nintendo DS games for rental. At just £2.50 per week why not try one! They are waiting for you opposite the main counter. If they prove popular we will invest in some more!

FACT 4:
Did you know that if you leave anything in the library we keep it safe for you if we find it? If you realise you might have left something behind, please ask us if we found it so that you can have it back again! Unclaimed items are donated to charity or recyled after we’ve had them for a month.

Children’s items for borrowingDVDs
A wide variety of popular and educational films for children including pre-school and primary school agesMusic CDs
For Waggle and Hum rhymes and songsAudio stories on CDs
Stories for all ages and language setsConsole games
Nintendo Wii & DS games are displayed in the lending library and can be borrowed by children.

Fiction books
Picture books with a section in dual languages. Baby sitters’ story box and separate display sections for beginner readers, chapter books, traditional tales, junior graphic novels, puzzles and jokes, teenage books and a Wordwise selection.
Wordwise books are specially written and printed for people who have dyslexia or similar conditions. They are special because they are printed on pale yellow paper, have more space between each line of text, the print is clear and slightly bigger than normal and there are pictures to aid the story. The storyline is fast-paced to encourage the reader to continue.

Non-fiction books
A wide variety of subjects including biographies, leisure interests, hobbies and homework topics. Children up to age 14 may borrow these, and there is also a first facts section for pre-schoolers. There are reference books and encyclopaedias for help with homework to use in the library.

Children’s Library

Children’s Library News

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