Parent Resources

Parent FAQs

            Child Safety
            Schools
            Parenting Resources
            Internet Access

What ages are served by the Youth Department?

The Youth Services department focuses on children and their parents and caregivers from birth through grade 5.  Older children are welcome but might also consider materials in the adult services department.

 

Child Safety

Can I leave my child in the Youth Services department while I browse in the Adult department?

The Glenside Public Library District encourages parents to consider the safety and well-being of their children and the needs of other library users of all ages.  Children are free to use the library’s facilities and resources provided that their behavior conforms to the library policy and does not disrupt other library users or staff members.  Young children must be attended and supervised by a parent or a caregiver at all times.

Can I leave my child in the Youth Services department while I run errands?

The library welcomes the use of its facilities and services by children.  Library staff members are committed to the well-being and safety of children, and are happy to help children use the library.  However parents must remember that any public place may be dangerous for a child who is left unattended and unsupervised by a parent or caregiver.  It is impossible for the library staff to guarantee a safe environment.  Library facilities are not licensed or designed to provide basic child care needs such as adult supervision, nutrition, or emergency care.

What happens if I my child is left at the library when it closes? 

When visiting the library without an adult, children should have definite arrangements to be picked up at closing time or in emergencies.  No children may be left at the library beyond closing time.  If a minor child is still waiting for a ride at closing, staff will first call a parent or guardian.  If the parent or guardian cannot be reached or does not arrive within 30 minutes, the Glendale Heights Police Department will be asked to intervene for the child’s safety.  Please see the library policy for full details.

What is acceptable behavior? 

Quiet, non-disruptive behavior is expected from all library patrons, even after school.  Please remind your child that the library is a place dedicated to quiet contemplation and other learning.  We want the library to be a comfortable, safe and welcoming environment for all our patrons. The library's goal is to aid in the acquisition of knowledge through reading, writing and participation in library programs.  To achieve that goal the library must protect the rights of individuals who are in the library to use library materials and/or services, protect the rights of staff members to conduct library business without disruption and preserve and protect library materials and facilities.  For more information on acceptable behavior, please see out behavior guidelines.

 

Schools

Where will my child go to school?

It depends exactly where you live.  The school districts that serve Glenside Public Library District patrons are

Are there any preschools in Glendale Heights?

Each of the school districts offers both Early Childhood and PreK At-Risk Programs to students living within their boundaries.  Students are screened for eligibility prior to enrollment.  Please contact your school district for information.

In addition, the following private options are available:

What assistance can you provide homeschool families?

Homeschool families within the Glenside Public Library District area are encouraged to register family members for a library card to provide access to a wide variety of programs and services offered by the library.  For more information, please see our homeschooling page.

Additionally, tours of the Youth Services Department are available throughout the year.  Tours include an introduction to materials and services of the library and a demonstration of electronic resources.  To arrange a tour, please email Jacquie Christen or call 630-260-1550.

 

Parenting Resources

Do you have a book about…

baby not sleeping through the night?
potty training?
what should a kindergartener know?

Check out our parenting collection, located in the Youth Services Department for information about these and other parenting issues.

For tips on child development, health, safety, activities and more, please use the following links.

What are some other resources for parents?

For tips on child development, health, safety, activities and more, please use the following links.

What activities are available for children in Glendale Heights?

The library offers a variety of programs for children of all ages.  Please check our homepage for a listing of our upcoming programs.  The Glendale Heights Park District also has a variety of classes and activities: Glendale Heights Park District

Can you recommend a book for my child?

We love to talk with children about books.  Come in and we will help them find the perfect book.  If you can’t get here, try NoveList, a subscription database that helps your child find new books to read based on similarities to other books they’ve read.  You can also try visiting the Association for Library Services to Children

My child has to read an AR book.  Do you have any?

What is the Lexile for this book?

Our books are not marked to indicate AR or Lexile levels but we do have AR lists from the local schools.  Please ask a librarian to help you find an appropriate book for your child.  Unfortunately, we do not have the tests available to take in the library.  You might also be interested in the following links:

 

Internet Access

Does the library provide internet access?

Yes, we do.  Keep in mind that the library only monitors its own home page and supporting web pages.  Glenside Public Library District does not monitor and has no control over other information accessed through the Internet.

The Internet is a good source for information, yet some content might be inappropriate for children. The Glenside Public Library District’s Internet Policy reminds us that

Restriction of a child's access to the Internet is the responsibility of the parent or legal guardian; the library does not have the right or responsibility to act in loco parentis.  It is the library's policy that parents or legal guardians must assume responsibility for deciding what library resources are appropriate for their children.  There will be some resources which parents feel are inappropriate for their children.  Parents should let their children know if there are materials which they do not want them to use.  Internet use by those under age 18 is the responsibility of their parents or legal guardians.  Children, under age 18, must have their library card.

Where can I find information on Internet Safety?

For information on Internet safety, please use the following links:

Can you recommend some websites for my child?

The American Library Association's "Great Websites for Kids"

"Children’s librarians evaluate books, magazines, tapes, and software for children to find the best of all.  Web sites are no exception.  On this page, we have collected some excellent sites for young people. "Children" are defined as persons of ages up to and including fourteen and Web sites for this entire age range are considered.  We will share with you what we look for in a great Web site."

 

Materials Delivery

I’m homebound.  Can you bring me some books?

Yes, if you or anyone in your family falls into one of these categories, we would be glad to bring the library to you.

  • Women experiencing difficult pregnancies
  • Parents who have given birth or adopted a child within the last six weeks
  • People with serious illness or physical limitation
  • People with a temporary illness or disability
  • Seniors

What's Delivered?

Patrons can choose materials from our growing collection of:

  • Fiction
  • Non-fiction
  • Large Print
  • Audio Books
  • Music CDs
  • Movies
  • Puzzles
  • Learning Games

How do I know what's available?

Patrons can call the library or check our website for item availability.  Patrons can also ask a librarian for recommendations.

When does the library deliver?

Librarians will deliver the selected materials on a day and time that is convenient for the homebound patron.  The homebound patron is required to be home at the time of the delivery.

How long can you keep the items?

Most items may be kept for one month.  DVDs and CDs may have shorter check out periods.  Items may be kept longer if no one else is waiting for them.

How do I sign up?

Patrons should call the adult reference desk at (630) 260-1550 to sign up for this program.