For Kids

Picture - E

Fiction Books:
Intended audience: Toddler- Grade 2
Books in this collection are picture books that are generally 32 pages in length and the story is intended to be read in a single sitting. Many have a reading level above that of the intended audience and are meant to be read to the child by a more competent reader.

Non-Fiction Books:
Intended audience: Toddler - Grade 2
Books in this collection are picture-book format fact-based books and folktales. E level non-fiction is intershelved, by call #, with the J non-fiction.

Audiobooks:
Intended audience: Toddler - Grade 2
Audiobooks in this collection match the classification of the print version of the work. These may be audio recordings only or read-along books accompanied by an audio recording of the text.

DVDs:
Intended audience: Toddler to Grade 1
Non-fiction DVD titles will cover topics such as potty training, baby sign language, and introduction to concepts- colors, numbers, letters, and shapes. Fiction titles will include DVDs based on characters such as Dora the Explorer, Thomas the Tank Engine, Bob the Builder, etc., who appear in books and television programs intended for the target audience.

Early Reader - E1

Books:
Intended audience: Beginning readers
Books in this collection are written expressly for children learning to read, and may be so designated by the publisher. They are written with a controlled vocabulary and syntax, and employ visual cues in the illustrations to assist children learning to read. Both fiction and non-fiction books are classified as E1 and these collections are shelved adjacent to one another.

Audiobooks:
Intended audience: Beginning readers
Audiobooks in this collection match the classification of the print version of the work. These may be audio recordings only or read-along books accompanied by an audio recording of the text.

DVD:
DVDs intended for beginning readers are classified as “E” DVDs.

Primary - J

Fiction Books:
Intended audience: Grades 3-8
Books in this collection include short, illustrated chapter books and longer texts of interest to and appropriate for children in 3rd through 8th grade. The plots and characters in J level books are more complex and developed than E and E1 books and engage children's interests at a level appropriate for the maturity, interests, and reading skills of these readers. Fiction books classified as J will not contain explicit sexuality or language. They may, however, address topics such as family issues, sexual orientation, and puberty.

Non-Fiction Books:
Intended audience: Grades 3-9
Books in this collection are fact-based books on a wide variety of topics and folk tales written at a interest and reading level appropriate for these readers. Non-fiction books classified as J may address topics such as family issues, sexuality, social controversies, war, etc.

Graphic Novels:
Intended audience: Grade 3-8.
Graphic Novels in this collection are stories told in comic book format and have been written to appeal to youth 3rd grade through 8th grade and match the reading ability and maturity levels of these readers. Graphic novels classified as J do not contain sexual situations or adult language. They may, however, address topics such as personal relationships, puberty, family issues, violence, etc.. In some cases, a graphic novel series may begin with books with J level content and move into books with Y level content. In those cases, the Austin Public Library Youth Services staff will work to move the entire series to a Y level classification.

Audiobooks:
Intended audience: Grade 3-8.
Audiobooks in this collection match the classification of the print version of the work. These may be audio recordings only or read-along books accompanied by an audio recording of the text.

DVDs:
Intended audience: Preschool - Grade 7
J DVDs include both fiction and non-fiction titles. Feature Films with an MPAA rating of G or PG intended for a children's audience will be classified as J. Feature films with an MPAA rating of PG-13 are evaluated based on content and may be located in the J, Y, or adult collections. When a book classified as J is made into a movie rated PG-13, the DVD will be classified based on its own content. Feature films based on a series of books will be shelved according to the highest MPAA level.

Teen - Y

Fiction Books:
Intended audience: Grades 8-12
Novels and short story collections in this collection have been written for youth 8th grade through 12th grade. Plots, themes, and character development have been formulated to address the emotional and intellectual interests of teens. Books classified as Y may contain implied sexual situations or adult language and may address topics such as sexual orientation, teen pregnancy, social controversies, etc.. Some titles traditionally shelved in the adult collection, classic literature, college-bound reading recommendations, etc. will also be found in the Y fiction collection.

Non-Fiction Books:
Intended audience: Grades 9-12
Books in this collection are fact-based books on a wide variety of topics written to educate, inform, and empower high school students. Non-fiction books classified as Y will address topics sexuality, puberty, drug abuse, social controversies, etc. Some titles traditionally shelved in the adult collection such as college prep, study guides, job hunting, social controversies, etc. will also be found in the Y non-fiction collection.

Graphic Novels:
Intended audience: Grade 8-12.
Graphic Novels in this collection are stories told in comic book format and have been written to appeal to youth 8th grade through 12th grade. Graphic novels classified as Y may contain implied sexual situations or language and may address topics such as sexual orientation, personal relationships, violence, and evil. In some cases a graphic novel series may begin with books with Y level content and move into books with adult level content. In those cases the Austin Public Library will reclassify the entire series and move it to the adult collection.

Audiobooks:
Intended audience: Grade 8-12.
Audiobooks in this collection match the classification of the print version of the work.

DVDs:
Intended Audience: Grade 8-12
Y level books made into feature films with a MPAA rating no higher than PG-13 may be classified as Y DVDs. Feature films based on a series of books will be shelved according to the highest MPAA level.

High Interest Teen - HI-Y

Intended audience: Grade 9-12.
This designation is intended to identify current, high-interest, non-fiction for teens and will include current recreational interests such as sports, crafts, personal relationships, technology, and music. Some titles traditionally shelved in the adult collection, cars, biking, drawing, sewing etc. will also be found in the HI-Y collection.