The goals of the Salem Public Library’s Children’s Department are to provide for the informational, educational, and recreational needs of the children of our area. Our aim is to promote equal access to all materials regardless of age, race, religion, economic status or physical challenge.

To meet these diverse goals, we review, select, and purchase resources that focus on the needs of children from the age of infancy to 11 years. This includes many formats such as board books, picture books, children’s fiction, books on CD & Tape, Playaways, read-alongs, DVDs, videos, and reference and parenting materials.  In addition, we have copies of the Salem School textbooks available for in library use only; copies of up to 25 pages can be made free of charge.

Programming for this age group is a major part of our mission; Story Times for toddlers and pre-schoolers are offered in the daytime during the school year. Additionally, a partnership with students in the Roanoke College Honors Program offers a monthly Saturday Story Time. The six week Summer  Program promotes reading for school age children and pre-readers by offering incentives and providing a wide variety of crafts, magic and  puppetry shows , musical performances, and story times for children registering at the Salem Public Library.