Blue Mountains City Council

CHILDRENS SERVICES

The Blue Mountains Library offers a wide range of resources and services for children throughout the community. These resources cover all reading levels from Picture and 'Easy' books for very young children to those recommended for young adults, toys, and some large print books.

'YA' indicates a book for young adults suitable for upper secondary students 15 years +. The content of these books at times is explicit and in some instances controversial.

Newsletters

We have a quarterly newsletter "Off the Shelf" to keep you up to date with Children's activities and great events for all at your Libraries. Download newsletters at right. Have a look!

Children's Events

Storytime Sessions: Weekly storytime sessions are held at Springwood, Katoomba and Blaxland Libraries. We also have a storytime each month at Lawson Library.
Come along and join in the fun as we weave our storytelling magic through the minds and hearts of young and old! A fun-filled hour with wacky tales, rhymes and rhythms, songs and silliness and arty crafts for children aged 0-12yrs! Session days and times can be downloaded, at right.

Babytime: Babytime is a great new service for parents and their 0-2yr olds! We will read books, tell tales, sing songs, recite rhymes and finish off with some open discussion time and gentle baby massage! Have fun meeting other parents and babies and each month you'll receive a Babytime newsletter with handy hints and information to share. Babytime begins from February 2006!

Fab Friday: We have a great after school club happening! It's called "FAB FRIDAY" and it's fab because we have crafts, play games, there's stories and loads more! We even have a pen pal scheme happening with kids in Africa! It's on once a month, on you guessed it, Friday afternoons at Springwood at 4:00pm. Times and dates can be downloaded, at right.

Holiday Fun: Every school holidays we have great activities happening for all different ages at our libraries! Download a program (at right) to see what's happening these holidays or contact a branch near you. The Children's and Youth Services team is available to hold special sessions for groups (i.e. playgroups, preschool groups). Please email our Children's and Youth Services Team, or phone on (02) 4723 5036 for details.

Toy Library

The Toy Library has toys for children aged between 0-12 years and children with special needs available for loan.  Membership is open to children, families and organisations of the Blue Mountains and toys can be picked up at any of our six branches across the mountains.

How to Join the Toy Library:

  • Visit any of our six Libraries across the Mountains
  • Fill in a membership form
  • Pay your annual membership fee:
    • $15.50 for individuals
    • $21.00 for a family (up to 6 children)
    • $12.50 for healthcare/pension card holders
    • $42.00 for an organization/institution (Letter from organisation required)

All done! Now staff will issue you with your new GREEN Membership card and you are ready to play!

How it works:

  • Each Library has a full colour catalogue complete with photos of all our toys to help you make the right choice!
  • When you and your child have decided on a toy you would like to loan you can ask staff to assist you on requesting that toy through our reservation process. You can also place requests yourself from home via the online Library Catalogue!
  • Toys will then be delivered to the Library you have specified on the following delivery days:
    • Tuesdays (pm) - Blackheath, Springwood and Wentworth Falls Libraries
    • Wednesday - Katoomba Library
    • Thursday (pm) - Lawson and Blaxland Libraries
  • The toy will be held at the Library for 2 weeks for you to collect.
  • Loan periods are 3 weeks
  • Toys can be returned to any branch

Requesting Toys From Home:

Catalogues for the following collections can be downloaded, at right:

  • Activity Toys
  • Baby Toys
  • Co-ordination Toys
  • Discrimination Toys
  • Expression Toys

To request a toy from home follow these easy steps:

  • Record the name of the toy you are interested in borrowing eg Sing and go train
  • Visit the online Library Catalogue
  • Type in the name of the toy and click search
  • Click request item
  • Enter your borrower details and follow the prompts

Remember: Only toys with an 'On Shelf' status will be available on your libraries next toy delivery day.

For more information, please contact your Library!

Babytime Club

This new club aims to give parents who attend our Babytime sessions exclusive access to a variety of resources that are invaluable for sharing special times with your little ones.  For $10.00 a year, parents are given the opportunity at our monthly Babytime sessions to borrow fantastic resources to help your baby develop a love of reading, including puppets, finger plays and nursery rhyme packs!  Parents and babies will have a wonderful time sharing these stories and songs together! For more details, contact your local library or come alone to one of our Babytime session held at Springwood Library or Katoomba Library.