Children's Services

Storytimes

The Children's Department offers an array of storytime options for everyone, including babies, toddlers and families! More...

Children's Collection

The children's collection includes materials for children from infancy through approximately sixth grade plus a Parents' Shelf. Materials for children include books, board books for toddlers, read-alongs, easy readers, audiocassettes, music CDs, videocassettes, DVDs, CD-ROM software, and children's magazines. The Parents' Shelf includes parenting books on a variety of topics, some homeschooling materials, and books of interest to teachers.

Reader's Advisory and Reference Services

The children's reference desk is staffed Monday through Thursday from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm Friday from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm; and Sunday from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. You may contact the children's reference desk by calling 405-372-3633 ext.108 or through email at ChildrensReference@stillwater.org.

Children's Computers

There are two computers in the Children's Department that contain educational and entertaining games and stories. These computers are not connected to the Internet and do not require parental permission or library cards in order for a child to use them. They are available on a first come, first served basis.

There are also two Internet computers specifically for children. These computers are more highly filtered than other Internet computers in the library. Email, chat and social networking sites cannot be accessed on the children's Internet computers. A library card and parental permission is required to access the Internet computers.

Listening and Video Viewing Centers

In the Children's Department, there are two stations available to use in the library with our audio-visual materials. Children can enjoy books on CD and music CD's at the Listening Center. At the Viewing Center, both VHS and DVD videos can be watched. Both stations are also available to preview audio-visual materials before you check them out.

Oklahoma Sequoyah Reading Award

Stillwater Public Library has copies of all the books on Sequoyah Reading list.

With this award, Oklahoma honors the Native American leader Sequoyah, for his unique achievement in creating the Cherokee syllabary. Sequoyah chose eighty-five symbols to represent all spoken sounds of the Cherokee language. In so doing, he created a way to preserve his people's language and culture. More...

View the Sequoyah Award lists, including current nominees, past nominees and past winners.

Tips for Parents

Accompany your children on trips to the library.

Let them explore the shelves, mindful that children and teens are naturally attracted to books and other materials intended for them, not to materials beyond their maturity or reading level.

Provide clean guidelines. If you believe certain materials or subjects are inappropriate, express your concerns in a nonjudgmental way. Remember, what is forbidden immediately becomes more attractive.

Peruse materials your children select and review all reading lists sent home by teachers.

Learn how to evaluate children's books. Check your library for guidelines about what is appropriate and appealing to various ages. Read book reviews and review materials yourself to determine their appropriateness for your children.

Talk to your children about what they are reading. This will help you understand their interests and concerns and give you an opportunity to express your opinions.

Get to know your public and school librarians. They are experts at selecting materials that correspond to a child's age, interests and abilities.

Introduce your children to their librarians and encourage them to seek help from the library staff when assistance is needed.

If you have questions or concerns about a book, discuss them with a librarian or teacher. Either may be able to help you understand why the material is being used or provide an alternative for your child.

Remember! Reading does not mean doing! Many young people seek information from libraries that they are embarrassed or afraid to ask about. A factual book, unlike hearsay from friends, can ease their fears or help keep them safe from harm.