Helping Families Navigate Digital Library Content: Built-In Parental Controls You Can Use

A child using a computer at a local library
Article Date
April 14, 2026

As more families take advantage of digital library resources, we know that parents and caregivers want to feel confident about what their children can access.

Many of Charleston County Public Library’s digital platforms include built-in parental controls that allow families to customize their child’s experience, without limiting the benefits of access to books, audiobooks, and educational content.

Here’s a quick guide to the tools available and how you can use them.

Libby (by OverDrive): Customize What Your Child Sees

If your child uses Libby to borrow e-books and audiobooks, you can easily tailor what content appears in their app.

What are Content Controls?

Libby’s Content Controls allow you to filter materials based on their intended audience (such as Juvenile or Young Adult). This means your child will only see age-appropriate titles when browsing.

Why it matters:

  • Helps guide independent browsing  
  • Reduces the chance of children encountering content meant for older audiences  
  • Still allows kids to explore and discover books on their own  

Learn how to set up Content Controls:

Hoopla: Customize Your Child’s Viewing Experience

Hoopla offers movies, TV shows, music, comics, and eBooks, and it also includes a simple way to make the platform kid-friendly.

What is Kids Mode?

Hoopla Kids Mode restricts all available content to materials recommended for children ages 12 and under.

Additional feature:

  • Access to the Kids Catalog, a curated collection of age-appropriate titles  

Why parents love it:

  • One-click toggle for peace of mind  
  • No need to manually filter content  
  • A safe environment for independent exploration  

Learn how to enable Kids Mode:

Empowering Families Through Choice

At the library, we believe in providing access while supporting families in making the choices that are right for them.  

These built-in tools allow you to:

  • Set boundaries that align with your family’s values  
  • Encourage independent reading and learning  
  • Stay involved in your child’s digital experience  

In addition to app-based controls, families can explore the library’s Kids Catalog, a version of our online catalog specifically designed for children. Similar to the library’s main catalog, it allows users to search and browse books and materials, but with a more simplified, engaging experience tailored to young users. Kids can explore titles by interest, reading level, or topic, helping them discover materials that are a good fit for them while still giving parents visibility into what they are accessing.  

Whether your child is discovering their first chapter book, searching the Kids Catalog, or streaming educational videos, these tools help create a library experience that is both enriching and aligned with your family’s preferences.  

Learn how to navigate Kids Catalog:

Need Help Getting Started?

Our staff is always here to help you:

  • Set up Libby or Hoopla  
  • Walk through parental control features  
  • Recommend age-appropriate materials  

Visit your nearest branch or ask a staff member for assistance.