If you have walked through the Children's Department, you may have noticed the plastic boxes in the Children's Media Room or the clear backpacks hanging on racks in the Nonfiction Room. These are items that are parts of our newer collection: the Children’s Library of Things (CHLOT). Our collection is ever-growing and expanding--soon you’ll see even more options!
The opaque, white boxes contain either Bookpacks or Wonderbooks. Bookpacks feature a book and a separate MP3 player in their boxes. You’ll have to supply your own earbuds to plug into these audio players in order to listen. Wonderbooks have an audio player attached to the inside cover of the book. Both options allow the reader to listen to a book as they read along. This is especially great for new or struggling readers and English Language Learners.
The oranges boxes contain Launchpads, which are tablets preloaded with a variety of educational games, books, videos, and other fun learning material. The beauty of Launchpads is that they do NOT connect to the internet: the preloaded apps are the only options for children to explore. They’re great for road trips or otherwise keeping children occupied with minimal adult supervision.
As for the backpacks on the storage racks (and other containers coming soon), these are what we call Lit Kits. Each Lit Kit has its own topic, like: Bedtime or the Skeletal System; and is separated by age: Baby\Toddler, Preschool, Elementary, or Tween\Teen. Lit Kits can comprise of any combination of: books, toys, manipulatives, CDs, DVDs, or flashcards.
Manipulatives are physical learning tools used to help children understand different concepts, like using simple wooden blocks for counting, for instance. The point is these manipulatives are tangible, moveable objects that children can put their hands on, and – with a teacher’s guidance – understand abstract concepts like numbers. Since some children learn better by doing where others learn by reading, we include manipulatives in our Lit Kits so that we can offer multiple ways for each individual child to connect with, and learn about, each topic in their own way.
For more information regarding the benefits of manipulatives, please check out these sources:
If any of these CHLOT items have piqued your interest, here’s what you need to know about borrowing them: CHLOT items must be check out on an ADULT library card. Once a "Thing" is checked out to you, it is your responsibility until it is checked in again. It will not be checked in until a library employee has checked every piece. Anything damaged or missing will be noted, and fines may be charged. "Things" must be checked out AND returned inside the library at the Children’s Desk in the Main Library (or to a staff member at our smaller branches). Items can be renewed, or due dates extended, by a staff member. Please call or talk to us about this before they’re marked overdue to avoid fines. CHLOT items cannot be returned in any book-drop. Borrowing times vary: Launchpads only get 1 week. The others get 3 weeks. Keep an eye on your due dates! These Things are special, expensive, and delicate. They must be handled with care at all times. Keep food and liquids away from Things. Make sure Things return to the library clean and dry. Employees can put a Thing on hold for patrons. Holds will be stored at the Children’s Room Desk for a week. Unclaimed holds will move on to the next patron or back to the Nonfiction Room.
Coming soon, and accessible at the Children’s Room Desk, are bigger items like a metal detector and telescope. Keep an eye out! |
