The BCC library catalogue is now freely available on the Internet. Although not all libraries have copies of all the items catalogued, it is possible to order items from other branches. The catalogue does have this information available to you, and other pertinent details like whether the item is on the shelf, and when borrowed items are due back. 

You can link to the BCC Library catalogue by clicking the BCC icon below. I suggest that you first read through the guidelines here to help you work your way through the various areas of the library.

Take the time to get to know your local library. There are many facilities available to you and the library staff are always pleased to help.
 

Subject Headings

To search everything that is available on a particular topic, type it into the Search textbox, and click, 'search everything'. You may choose to narrow your search to the closest branch library, by clicking the 'library' box.

Try the following relevant Subject Headings:

• preschool learning,
• parent participation in education,
• helping children, and
• children learning. 

The catalogue will provide details about items other than books. These can also be borrowed from the library.

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Find it Fast!

Another way to access information is through the library's 'Find it Fast!' option. It can be found in the top row of the catalogue web page.

There are several pathways that offer many relevant titles through which you can browse:

Find it Fast >> Education >> preschool

Find it Fast >> Education >> literacy

Find it Fast >> Education >> parents and education

Find it Fast >> Family >> child care

Find it Fast >> Family >> parents and child

Find it Fast >> Family >> parenting

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Browse the Shelves

Alternatively you can browse the shelves. Listed below are the Dewey Decimal call numbers of relevant books in the non-fiction area, which will be clearly identified by a sign.

027.625 — Books that offer suggestions about how you and your preschool child can enjoy the library environment.

155.4 — Books about a child's development, specifically psychological behaviours, intelligence testing, and self-esteem. There are also books here about helping children cope with death and the grieving process.

305.23 — In the sociology section, there are several information books about children written especially for children, with titles like, Who am I?  There are also more books on self-confidence, and helping children to be calm.

371.9 — Books about learning disabilities.

372 — Books that deal with kindergarten and pre-school education.

372.6-372.8 — Books that deal with specific subjects like drama, maths, science, and dance, and how they can be useful to the preschool child.

649.1 — Books about caring for your children, from birth to adolescence.

649.5-649.7 — Books about helping children in areas other than education, for example, Teaching Your Child Sensitivity.

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Magazines

There are several journals housed in the library about parenting. Type the subject heading, 'parenting' and click on the 'periodical title' button. If you try the same with 'children', you will receive information on magazines for and about children. AM represents 'Adult Magazine', and they can be found under the sign Magazines/Newspapers. In some libraries the magazines are arranged in alphabetical order, according to the title, and in other libraries, they are arranged in general subject areas, much like you'd find in a newsagency. Magazines can be borrowed.

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Other Items 

Other resources may have pertinent information. These include:

• Videos, 
• Music CDs, 
• Audio Cassettes, 
• DVDs and  CD-ROMs, and
• Newspapers and Reports. 

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Abstracts and Indexes

These are electronic databases that allow you to access articles from a variety of periodicals and newspapers, dating back several years. They can be accessed using the Internet. 

There are several useful ones you could try through the on-line catalogue. You need to click on the 'eRef Desk' button at the top of the screen and a list of databases will be provided. This list is growing. The most appropriate ones are currently: 

• Ebscohost, 
• Electric Library, 
• MacQuarieNet, and
• The Source.

Once in, you search as if you were using the library catalogue search facility. Be specific and persistant. Some useful subject headings include: 

• preschool learning through play, and 
• parents and preschool learning. 

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Brochures and Newsletters

The Brisbane City Council produces a monthly newsletter, entitled The Browser. It is an informative publication that details the new events and resources that can be discovered in the various branches around the city. 

There are many other pamphlets and brochures that give advice, offer courses, and advertise cultural events. These are usually displayed on a rack, either at the entrance to or exit from the library.

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Fiction for Children

Your children will enjoy the Junior Fiction section. Let them have a browse through the extensive range of picture books and early readers. Most branches have activities organized specifically to encourage and promote reading. Storytelling is offered once a week, but there are more activities organized during school holidays. These are advertised around the library and in The Browser.

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Locating items in library

Although each branch library has the same names for the different areas, each has a different layout. Sections should be clearly labeled. Signs will help you navigate your way around the individual branches. The names of the areas are:

• Non-Fiction
• Reference
• Magazines and Newspapers
• Audio Visual
• Adult Fiction
• Young Adult (YA) Fiction
• Junior Fiction
• Larger Print

Community Resources

There are other places you can go to find more information for and about your children. There are also places to help you as parents:

The Lady Cilento Parent Resource and Toy Library. 10 Charlotte Street, Paddington, Brisbane. Phone: 3368 3872. Tues – Fri.
A branch centre of the Creche and Kindergarten Association, this community service is open to all people interested in the learning and development of children. It offers services such as parent education programmes, a toy lending library, and resources and books pertaining to early childhood education and support and advice. 

Parentline. Red Hill Brisbane. Phone: 1300 301 300. 7 days a week, 8am - 12am.
A confidential and anonymous counselling service for parents.

The Centre for Healthy Living. Tingalpa, Brisbane. Phone: 3870 0150
Information is available to enhance parent skills and the enjoyment of family life. There are six-week courses or single-session seminars. The centre focusses on understanding the needs and viewpoints of children as they grow. Topics include creative discipline, self-esteem, reducing guilt and expectations.

Positive Parenting Co-ordination Centre. 26th Floor MLC Building, 239 George Street, Brisbane, 4000. Phone: 3224 7588. 
This centre provides public access to a free comprehensive library service on issues like separation, domestic violence, personal safety, and child abuse and its prevention. You can phone and have the information you need sent to you.

Creche and Kindergarten Association. 14 Edmonstone Street, Newmarket, Brisbane, 4051. Phone: 3356 7444.
Salisbury Kindergarten is affiliated with the C and K. Its web site can be found through a link on our home page.

Legal Aid Queensland. GPO Box 9898, Brisbane, 4001. Phone: 1300 651 188. Monday - Friday, 8am - 5.30pm.
This service helps you understand your legal options.

Matching Mothers. PO Box 623 Mt. Gravatt, Brisbane, 4122. Phone: 1300 136 722
A service which matches parents for the purpose of child care.

Positive Parenting Program and Management of Young Children Program.
Mt. Gravatt District. Juction Park State School, Gowrie Street, Annerley, Brisbane, 4103. Phone: (07) 3391 0709
These are programs designed to help parents who need assistance with difficult children and with handling routines. The type, length, and makeup of the program is dependant on you and your child's needs.
 

There are many other Government and Community services that may be more suited to your requirements. There is a document housed in the Reference section of the library, called the LifeLine Community Resource Directory, at Call Number R362.994 2 LIF. You are not able to borrow items housed in the Reference section. 

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Internet Sites

Another search option available today is the Internet. There are many useful sites about and for children. 

Coping with Disasters

An American Web Site, The Future of Children has set up a list of links to assisst parents as they deal with the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the USA. It is a wide-ranging list, from the American Psychological Association to the very web-based Parentcenter.com.

http://www.futureofchildren.org/newsletter2861/newsletter_show.htm?doc_id=81685
 

The Australian Early Childhood Association has a very useful Web Site with information about the latest conferences and publications about Early Childhood. There area number of links to other relevant informations as well.

http://www.aeca.org.au/index.html

The following links are guides to find fiction titles that help your child with personal development issues such as cooperation, loneliness, or sportsmanship. They also have more links through to finding other books.

http://childrensbooks.about.com/parenting/childrensbooks/cs/valuescharacter/index.htm

http://childrensbooks.about.com/parenting/childrensbooks/library/weekly/aa121700a.htm

http://homearts.com/depts/relat/bookintr.htm

Young Media Australia (YMA) exists to promote a quality media environment for Australian children and to raise community awareness of the needs of children and young people in relation to print, electronic and screen based media.

http://www.youngmedia.org.au/

This link is specifically about helping children find safe cyber sites. It is helpful if your children have unsupervised access to the Internet.

http://www.youngmedia.org.au/aboutus.htm

The Early Childhood Educators' and Family Web Corner is a organized Web Site which contains a lot of information specifically relating to preschool children. Content is divided up into areas such as Book Centre and Hot Topics. There are also message boards where it is possible to participate in a dicussion with parents and other interested parties. There are many articles on a diverse range of topics. It is American, but a lot of what they say is still relevant.

 http://users.sgi.net/~cokids/

The University of South Australia has a link to the useful Early Childhood Education Curriculum page. It has many Internet links, from both Australia and overseas, that are worth perusing.

http://www.library.unisa.edu.au/internet/pathfind/early.htm

An Australian site that is similar to the Web Corner above is the Kids Life Web Page. It contains information and links about children of all ages, and it isn't restricted to education. There is an 'ask the experts' link, where it is possible to submit questions to a variety of professionals. Other information includes nutrition, pregnancy and a column focussing on being a father. 

http://www.kidslife.com.au
 

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This page was compiled by P J Buckley, as an assignment for a graduate diploma in teacher-librarianship. It was produced with the cooperation of the Salisbury Kindergarten and Preschool teachers, and several staff members of the Garden City and Coopers Plains Branches of the Brisbane City Council Library. 

Thanks to all those who offered their time and expertise with advice and support. Any comments or questions can be e-mailed to trishabuckley@yahoo.com.

Last Updated: June 6, 2002.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

• Subject Headings

• Find it Fast!

• Browse the Shelves

• Magazines

• Other Items

• Abstracts and Indexes

• Brochures and Newsletters

• Fiction for Children

• Locating Items

• Community Resources

• Internet Sites