DIX HILLS BUILDING
55 Vanderbilt Parkway
Dix Hills, N.Y. 11746

(631) 421-4530

HOURS
Monday - Friday:
9:30 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Saturday:
9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sundays (Sept. - June):
noon - 5:00 p.m.

MELVILLE BUILDING
510 Sweet Hollow Road
Melville, N.Y. 11747

(631) 421-4535

HOURS
Monday - Thursday:
10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Friday and Saturday:
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sundays:
Closed

About Our Department

The Children's Services Department is designed to serve families with young children from birth through grade five with specially designed collections, programs, and services. Some of our program offerings include:

Parent Child Workshops
Early Literacy story time classes
Craft workshops
School Age programs
Family Programs

Reading Collections include:

Children's Magazines
Graphic Novels
Picture Books for Older Readers
Parent and Teacher Resource Collection
Children's Music CDs
Audiobooks
Downloadable Books
Easy Reader, Learning to Read Section

What Makes a Family Place Library?

The Half Hollow Hills Children's Department is proud to be part of the National Family Place Libraries Network. This national network of over 300 public libraries builds on the knowledge that early learning, parental involvement and supportive communities play an important role in young children's growth and development.

Family Place Libraries redesign the library environment to be welcoming and appropriate for children beginning at birth; connect parents with the resources, programs and services offered at the library and other family service agencies; and reach out to non-traditional library users. This creates the network families need to nurture their children's development during the critical first years of life and helps ensure all children enter school ready and able to learn.

The Core Components of a Family Place Library:

Collections of books, toys, music and multimedia materials for babies, toddlers, parents and service providers

A specially designed, welcoming space within the children's area for families with young children

The Parent/Child Workshop
A five week program that involves toddlers and their parents and caregivers; features local professionals who serve as resources for parents; emphasizes the role of parents as the first teachers of their children; facilitates early intervention; and teaches strategies for healthy child development and early literacy

Coalition-building with community agencies that serve families and young children to connect parents to community resources and develop programs and services tailored to meet local needs

Outreach to new and non-traditional library users, especially parents and very young children (beginning at birth)

Developmentally appropriate programming for very young children and their parents

Library staff trained in family support, child development, parent education and best practices