Children’s Services
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- Locations & Hours
- Get a Library Card
- Class & Group Visits – Please contact us at 617-376-1300 x4
Collection
Materials that promote early literacy skills, beginning readers for early elementary kids, and chapter books for older elementary and tween readers. We also have resources for parents, teachers, and for homework help.
The Main Branch has computers for children Grade 7 and under and two Early Literacy educational computers for children ages 2-8. The Adams Shore, North Quincy, and Wollaston Libraries all have Early Literacy stations and computers available for all ages.
Britannica Escolar
A Spanish-language resource for native speaker, bilingual students, and students learning Spanish. Designed for students in grades K-5 (Primaria) and 6-8 (Secundaria).
Britannica Library: for Kids
Comprehensive encyclopedia built for kids to use. Easily adjustable reading level defaults to an easier level for younger children. Browse or search for articles on animals, biographies, geography, and more.
Britannica School
Comprehensive encyclopedia for students with resources for a variety of grade levels. Choose between Elementary, Middle, and High School levels.
PebbleGo
PebbleGo is a database specifically geared toward the needs of K-2 learners. It helps students learn foundational research skills plus provides critical early-reader supports like audio voice overs and text highlighting. Available modules include animals and biographies.
Scholastic Teachables
Printable lesson plans, resources, and activity sheets for every subject, in any grade (K-8).
Transparent Language Online
Learn hundreds of languages online for free. No need to have a library card, all you’ll need to do is create an account with Transparent Language.
Access ebooks, audiobooks, music, movies, TV shows, and comic books online.
How it Works:
- Requires Thomas Crane Public Library card. Get an e-card now
- Create a Hoopla account with an email address and password then log in and click the settings gear to add your library card barcode and PIN
- Stream on your computer or download to Android, iPad, iPhone, and Kindle Fire devices
- Loan period = 21 days
- Loan limit = 7 total items per month (includes movies, TV, music albums, & comics)
Instructions to Get Started:
GET THE APP | Apple iOS | Android | Amazon Fire
Access ebooks, audiobooks, movies, TV shows, comic books, and magazines online.
How it Works:
- Requires Thomas Crane Public Library card. Get an e-card now
- If you have an Android or iOS (Apple) system, we recommend using the Libby app
- If you have a Kindle, use the OverDrive app
- Stream on your computer or download to Android, iPad, iPhone, Kindle Fire, and Kindle E-reader devices
- Loan period = 21 days
- Loan limit = 10 titles at one time
Instructions to Get Started:
GET THE APP | Apple iOS | Android | Amazon Kindle
Online language learning for kids and adults, offering over 100 languages for adults and Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish with kid-friendly materials.
How it Works:
- There is no library card requirement; just sign up for a Transparent account
- Optimized for touchscreen use on iPads and Android tablets, Transparent Language Online works on virtually any Internet-connected device or computer
Instructions to Get Started:
NO APP REQUIRED
Access movies and TV shows online.
How it Works:
- Requires Thomas Crane Public Library card. Get an e-card now
- Create a Kanopy account with your library card number and PIN, and an email address and password
- Stream on your computer, smart TV, Android, and iOS devices
- Loan period = 3 days once you press play
- Loan limit = 7 total items per month
- Kanopy Kids collection available!
Instructions to Get Started:
GET THE APP | Apple iOS | Android
PebbleGo is a database specifically geared toward the needs of K-2 learners. It helps students learn foundational research skills plus provides critical early-reader supports like audio voice overs and text highlighting. Available modules include animals and biographies.
How it works:
- Click on the link to log in automatically through the library.
- Choose which topic to explore.
- Click on the speaker button on each page for a voiceover that highlights the words being read.
NO APP REQUIRED
Children’s Policies
Children’s services are for children through 7th grade, caregivers, teachers, and members of the general public interested in children’s literature.
Storytimes, Book
Clubs & More!
Keep track of your reading year round with Beanstack! We use Beanstack for summer reading, 1000 Books Before Kindergarten, and other special challenges all year long! Use your phone’s camera to scan barcodes and keep a list of what you’ve read, whether it’s for one of our reading challenges or just to keep track!
How do you know if a book is the right level? Take a look at our guide for figuring out if a book is too easy, too hard, or just right.
How do you know if a book is the right level? Take a look at our guide for figuring out if a book is too easy, too hard, or just right.