Resources for Teachers and Daycare Providers
Need books for a lesson or to supplement your class library? You can contact us and request library materials.
Here is how:
- You must have a library card.
- You can call the Children’s Desk at 978-674-1529 and ask the librarian to set books aside for you.
- You can also fill out an online form to request books.
- When your books are ready, you will be contacted and we will arrange a pick up date.
- When you are finished reading your books, return them to the library or to any library in our network.
You can access the library catalog to see what books are available.
You can also place your own requests from the catalog. Once your books are ready we will let you know and we will arrange a pick up date.
We also have e-books and e-audio books that you can download to your device. Yes, even for kids! Visit https://mvlc.overdrive.com or download the Libby App at https://www.overdrive.com/apps/libby.
Don’t have a library card? If you live in Lowell you can get a library card. Come down to the library and bring documentation with your name and current Lowell address. If you do not live in Lowell but do live in a community that is part of our library network, go to your hometown library and get a library card. Since your town is part of the same library network, you can use your library card here.
If you live in a Massachusetts community that is not part of the Merrimack Valley Library Network and have a library card from your home library, we can add your card to our network.
If you live out of state but work in Lowell, you can get a restricted use Pollard Library Card. Contact the library for more information.
Themed Bookbags
The library has themed book bags for preschools, kindergartens, and daycare centers. These bags are free to borrow. Bags include an activity sheet and can be checked out for up to 3 weeks. If you are interested in any of the book bags, contact the Children’s Department at 978-674-1529.
Available Book Bag Themes Include:
All About Me, Bears, Bedtime, Cats and Dogs, Colors, Community Helpers, Farm, Food, Transportation, Weather/Seasons,
Book Bundles
The library will put together book bundles for you! You will however, need a library card to check materials out. Does your daycare/school have an agency card? Call the Children’s Department at 978-674-1529 for more information about agency cards or to make arrangements for a book bundle.
Library Outreach
Field Trips
We are happy to offer scheduled library tours to groups of children. For grades four and younger, contact Molly Hancock at 978-674-1527 or at mhancock@lowelllibrary.org. For grades 5 and older contact the Children’s Desk at 978-674-1529.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when planning your visit:
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- We ask that you have more than one tour date available as sometimes we are unable to accommodate your first choice.
- The maximum amount of classes we can serve on a tour is two.
- The earliest we can offer a tour is 9:30 AM.
- Tours last approximately one hour.
- If you would like to get library cards for your students, download the Children’s Library Card Application Form.
- If you would like the library cards ready for your tour you must drop off the completed library card application forms to the ground floor Children’s Reference Desk at least one week prior to your scheduled visit. You may also mail the completed library card applications. Please mark them “Attention: Molly Hancock.”
- Although most schools visit us for tours of the library, you can also come for your own storytime! We will also conduct programs for older students. Contact us to schedule your visit.
Classroom Visits
Our children’s library staff is also very happy to arrange for in-classroom visits. For grades four and younger, contact Molly Hancock at 978-674-1527 or at mhancock@lowelllibrary.org. For grades 5 and older contact the Children’s Desk at 978-674-1529.
Here are a few things to keep in mind for planning a staff visit:
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- Please have more than one visit date available as sometimes we are unable to accommodate your first choice.
- We prefer visiting school classrooms instead of making presentations in auditoriums. We find the students are more attentive in the classroom.
- The earliest we can visit you is 9:30 AM.
- If you would like to get library cards for your students, please refer to our instructions in the next section on how to get cards for students.
- If you would like library staff to bring the students their library cards when we visit, you must drop off the completed library card application forms to the ground floor Children’s Reference Desk at least one week prior to our scheduled visit. You may also mail the completed library card applications. Please mark them “Attention: Molly Hancock.”
- Although most schools contact us to come and talk about the library and our services, we will also visit schools to conduct storytimes and engage in storytelling and related activities. We would love to visit you! Contact us to schedule your visit.
If you would like to receive information about the library call 978-674-1529 or e-mail mhancock@lowelllibrary.org. We look forward to hearing from you!
How to Get Pollard Memorial Library Cards for Students
- Download a copy of the Children’s Library Card Application Form.
- Make copies of the application form for your students to take home for their parent/guardian to fill out.
- Please make sure the applications are filled out completely as we cannot process incomplete library card applications.
- Please make sure the parent/guardian has filled out the child’s information, not the parent/guardian’s information.
- Drop completed library card applications off to the Ground Floor Children’s Desk. Please include the name of the teacher, the name of the school, and a contact phone number.
- We will only process applications for first time library cards as often there are problems with replacement library cards. In that instance, it is best for the child to come to the library with his parent/guardian.