About the Children's Room
The Children's Room offers many features that allow children to read comfortably, learn at their own pace, explore their creativity.

The Collection
The Children's Room has a diverse collection designed to meet the needs of children through approximately age 14. Materials from the Children's Room may be checked out at either the Self-Service Checkout in the Children's Room, Self-Service Checkout near the skylight or any service desk.

Some of our special collections include:

• Board Books
• Book Club in a Bag (for elementary & middle school readers)
• Braille Collection
• Educational Toys
• Holiday Collection
• Immersive Reality Book Kits
• Spanish Collection
• Teacher Collection

Computers
Children under the age of 18 automatically have internet access with their library card unless the child's parent or legal guardian has chosen to opt out. Internet access allows login on the library's intern-enabled computers as well as to the electronic databases (including Brainfuse) and electronic materials (through hoopla, Overdrive, etc.) from personal devices.

All children have access to the Children's Room AWE Early Literacy computers, which have pre-loaded educational games and no internet access.

Internet Access for Kids & Teens

• Children under age 11 are encouraged to be accompanied by an adult (over 18) while using the Internet.
• As with books and other library materials, parents are responsible for helping their
  child select appropriate information on the Internet. Staff can provide only limited technical support.

Welcoming Faces
The first things that kids see when they walk into the Children's Room are the library's giraffes. They are a huge hit with all library visitors. And, of course, they each have their own story!

Mosi
A gift from the Friends of HPL, Mosi arrived in March 2008 to join his giraffe family in the Children's Room. See if you can "spot" him at library community events! In Swahili, the official language of Kenya, Mosi (pronounced mo'-see), means "patient, responsible, loves his family and home.

Jamila & Spotty
Jamila and her calf, Spotty, were purchased in 2004 with funds donated by Jevne and Trish Arreazola as a memorial to their daughter Kaly.

The 8'4" tall mother giraffe arrived on October 29, 2004, after travelling all the way from
the Steiff company in Giengen, Germany. HPL staff held a naming contest shortly after her arrival. Twenty-three names were submitted and Youth Services staff chose from the top two vote-getters: Heddy and Jamila. The winning name, Jamila, was suggested by Jamie Swenson and means "beautiful" in Swahili, Somali and Arabic.

The 5' tall baby giraffe arrived on December 28, 2004. In February 2005, Youth Services held a "Name-the-Baby Contest" to allow the kids at HPL to choose a name. After receiving more than 400 ideas. Spotty was the ultimate choice. having been submitted by 13 children.

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