Last year was the first full year of the library’s new card system for juvenile patrons, but more is still happening. The library has been working continually to update the system and provide additional options for parental oversight.
At the start of 2023, the library cards of all minors were expired and parents had to set an access level for their children. This, in effect, prevented any minors from checking out books until their guardians made a selection. These choices included Juvenile Full Restriction, Juvenile Semi Restriction, Juvenile and Juvenile Unrestricted.
The library is launching an enhanced set of choices this year, with regards to digital resource access. Now, parents can select a special card called the No Digital Access Card for Juvenile Full and Semi Restriction accounts. These cards have a different look and barcode to restrict minors from accessing digital resources, which include any book, e-book, e-audiobook, video book, essay, newspaper, magazine, film or any other library material that is provided in a digital format.
Picking this card option will prompt a minor to receive a new card if they already had a previous library card, and to help eliminate confusion, the old card should be surrendered to staff or disposed of. To learn more about the updated card system, or more details regarding the different levels, visit the library’s website at sttammanylibrary.org/MinorCards.
Kids Catalog
The library has also released a separate Kids Catalog with youth and parents in mind. The catalog launched last month and is live on the library’s website, found on the main navigation menu or on the Kids Page. The catalog is also set as the default site for catalog computers, known as Open Public Access Catalog, in the children’s area, where available. The Kids Catalog allows children to search for titles and to receive only children's collection materials.
The catalog is also self-contained with all hyperlinks staying within the Kids Catalog. If a young patron tries to search for a title that is outside the juvenile collection, they will be directed to ask their parent or guardian to speak with a librarian for more assistance. Patrons can use their current account to log into the Kids Catalog to place holds for materials similar to the main library catalog. Check out the new catalog at sttammanylibrary.org/stplkids
Other Events
ESL CLASSES: They are returning Jan. 8 at the Covington Library every Monday from 6:15 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. until March 4. For more than 10 weeks, explore the basics of communication in English, from listening and speaking, to reading and writing. This course is free and open to the public; however, there is a book to purchase. To ensure your spot, be sure to register before Jan. 9. For more information and to register, visit sttammanylibrary.org/esl
PHOTO CALENDARS: Learn how to create them, along with other useful skills available in Canva at the Slidell Library on from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Jan. 8. Register by Jan. 6 to save a spot. Register at bit.ly/STPL-Canva