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ABC This Book's For Me: A Guide for Parents and Caregivers



We know that choosing media for your family from a sea of options can feel like a daunting task. Our librarians are hard at work purchasing materials for our collections and are happy to assist you in your quest. When we're working together, choosing books for your family can be as easy as ABC.


Ask a Librarian

Our librarians make it their business to be familiar with the books in our collection.

Recommendation tools available to you include:

Tell a librarian what you’re hoping to find, and if we can’t find it right away, we can always put books on hold for you.

Browse the Book

A quick flip through a book can often tell you what you might need to know about its contents.

Pay attention to:

  • Library of Congress subject headings
  • Summaries on the inside flaps or the back of the book
  • Quotes and accolades from other authors/illustrators or publications.

All of these can give you clues about what kind of book you’re holding.

Check Reviews

There are a many websites that can help determine if a book is right for you.

Here are a few we love:

Websites like these give in-depth analysis of content and suggest similar titles. This information can help you feel confident in your decision to check out and read a book or not.

THE LIBRARY IS FOR EVERYONE

 

LIBRARY MISSION STATEMENT

The Provo City Library provides our community with an inviting center for information, instruction, learning, leisure, and cultural opportunities.

Our vision is to enrich every household with library services.

HOW WE SELECT LIBRARY MATERIALS

There are groups and individuals with diverse interests, backgrounds, and needs within our community. The library’s role is to provide materials that will allow individuals to access information to make their own decisions. 

“It should be recognized that some materials chosen may be offensive, shocking, or uninteresting to some individuals, but may be meaningful and significant to others. It is the responsibility of individuals to limit their Library use to books and materials which are consistent with their individual tastes. While everyone is free to reject for themselves and their children materials of which they do not approve, they may not restrict the freedom of others to read or inquire.”

Provo City Library Materials Selection Policy

Revised and Approved by the Board of Directors

November 12, 2024

 

THE LIBRARY IS FOR YOU

YOU ARE IN CHARGE OF YOUR OWN READING

The purpose of this guide is to help empower parents and caregivers with the tools that they need to choose books and resources that are appropriate for their families. You should not assume that you will love and approve of every book in the library. We buy books that reflect multiple viewpoints and lifestyles in our community. 

Not every book in the library is appropriate for every family, but we do our best to ensure that there is a book for every reader and a reader for every book.