Services for Children
Masks: Everyone entering the library over the age of 2 years old is required to wear an unvented face mask/covering during the entire visit.
Finding Your Way Around: We are located on the first floor of the Athens-Clarke County Library past the Teen Department. Walk through our star covered entryway, and discover a world of exciting books and resources! We have 3 study rooms, a storytime room, children's bathrooms, a photocopier and computer stations with educational games, programs, and filtered Internet access. All computers have headphones and access to a printer.
Storytimes and Events: We host a wide array of virtual programs online for children, from infant and preschool storytimes to book clubs and after school activities. Check out our calendar of events and connect with us on Facebook!
Crafts-to-Go: Stop by your Athens Regional Library System branch during curbside pick up or Grab-and-Go hours to pick up a free kit with everything you need for a fun craft activity designed for children ages 2-11. A new craft is available every two weeks while supplies last. Each branch offers a different craft.
Need a good read? Our friendly Children’s staff is always on hand to offer you and your family personalized recommendations based on your child’s age, interests and reading level. Check out some of our recommended reading lists, personally created by our Children’s staff.
Online Reading Logs: Keep track of your child’s reading with fun virtual badges and incentives with our online reading program Beanstack. If you're looking to participate in Summer Reading, 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten, or one of our seasonal reading challenges, you can start tracking today here.
Our Print Collection: Our Children’s print collection covers every stage of a child’s reading journey: Board Books, Basic Readers, Picture Books, Nonfiction, Biographies, Chapter Books, Graphic Novels, Foreign Language, Large Print, Braille, Periodicals and Award Winners.
Our Digital Collection: We also provide multiple digital Children’s collections that can be accessed on your home computer or various devices on the go! Explore downloadable eBooks, eMagazines, and Audiobooks on eReadsKids, TumbleBooks, and Overdrive/Libby. Looking for online academic resources for children? Check out GALILEO Kids! (Need a library card? Sign up here!)
Visits by Young Children to the Library: The children's areas of our libraries serve children from birth to age 11. The library provides programming services and activities for the target age group. It is the desire of the Athens Regional Library System to make visits by young children both memorable and enjoyable in each of our libraries. Library staff cannot assume responsibility for the care of unsupervised children. The primary concern is for the safety of children during their library visit.
All children under the age of 10 must be accompanied and actively supervised at all times by a responsible adult or qualified caregiver 16 years of age or older. Caregivers must be in the immediate vicinity of, and in visual contact with, their children. If a child is attending a library program, the caregiver must remain with the child throughout the program. All children are subject to building-wide patron responsibilities and conduct policies.
Staff will follow procedures as established in each library location concerning children left at the library at closing time.
All library employees and volunteers are mandated reporters of suspected child abuse [O.C.G.A. § 19-7-5].
