Kids & Teens

If you are looking for learn at home resources, check here and our eBooks for kids page. If you are a parent or teacher looking for youth resources, see more info here.

 

Free Youth & Family Programs

Storytime Session – for preschoolers & their parents/caregivers

Storytime is mostly held year round, with the exception of the months of May and August (and a week or two around the winter holidays). Storytime is held on Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. and features songs, stories, and fingerplays on a theme. Children of all ages are welcome, with a caregiver. Daycare/preschools groups are asked to pre-register to bring groups of 8 or more children. Please feel free to talk with youth staff about your child’s readiness for storytime, and/or what to expect. Occasional weekend or evening storytimes are are offered, as well.

Small Talk Early LIteracy Class

Small Talk is an award-winning series of free Zoom classes for parents of babies ages birth to 30 months, in which you’ll learn simple strategies to talk, read, and, and sing more with your baby and help your baby’s brain grow. There are 5-8 families in each class session, which spans 10 weeks. Class sessions are offered in English, and in Spanish, in partnership with ISU Extension. Families earn a free book or learning toy for each week of class attendance. For more information, contact the youth desk at the library.

Pokemon League

Players of Pokemon meet on Thursdays, 4:00-5:30 p.m., year round, in the large meeting room. Players bring their own cards and league play is supervised by league volunteers. Instruction about how to play offered informally, as time permits. Players are encouraged to keep their items in their possession at all times, and to not bring expensive electronics to league play. Occasionally, tournaments are planned as special events.

Play Day

Offered at the library in the blue activity room (see Events calendar for schedule) and offers a chance for free, imaginative play with giant blocks, Legos, a kitchen set, dollhouse, and more, after storytime and at other scheduled times. Toys are geared toward 3-7 year olds who attend with a caregiver. Children younger than 3 may attend (with the caregiver being aware that all toys are not suitable for toddlers/babies). Groups (daycares, programs, etc.) may “book” a Play Day time (supervised by the organization’s staff) during certain times of the week (call 641-754-5738, ext. 3 to schedule.)

Baby Play Day

Offered at the library in the blue activity room (see Events calendar for schedule), Baby Play Day offers babies and toddlers a chance to play with developmentally appropriate toys for the littlest ones, and for caregivers to meet others. Older siblings of babies and toddlers, who are able to safely play within an environment geared toward babies, are welcome. (This program is intended for families/public; groups or daycares wanting an opportunity for something similar can call the youth desk at 641-754-5738, ext. 3 to check for options.)

Jammies Jamboree

Occasional music programs for families with babies, toddlers & preschoolers where children can come to library in their pajamas and enjoy hands-on instrument and active music play.

Special Events

Special events are planned for a variety of ages throughout the year. See the online calendar, or flyers in the library for special upcoming events. All library programs and activities are free. Musicians, hands-on activities, author visits, arts programs, book discussions, and book character parties are a few examples of past special events.

Summer Reading Program

Our free summer reading program each year features a reading challenges, where kids of all ages and their families are encourage to track reading in some way and have a chance to earn prizes, using our online reading challenge Beanstack software. There are also special activities planned in June and July for a variety of age groups, which include storytime and special events, which may include music, arts, entertainment, STEM activities, educational programs with animals, hands-on experiences, and more.

Annual Special Events

Some programs occur each year at the library. These include Trick or Treat Storytime, where kids can wear costumes to storytime and parade around to receive treats. A Holiday Cookie Decorating event for families is held each December. A model train display in the big meeting room (open to all ages) is often scheduled in December, with an accompanying train storytime. Día de los Niños/Día de los Libros is celebrated in partnership with the spring StoryBook Walk with our downtown and celebrates all of our community’s children and the importance of reading in their lives with fun activities and a free book to keep for each child & chances to win grand prizes.

Note about GROUPS visiting the library

For the best experience for both groups and the general public, the library requires any non-related group of 8 or more to please schedule their visit by calling the library at 754-5738. This policy applies to both programmed visits (where library staff leads a tour or provides another program) as well as less formal visits (just bringing a group to use the library facilities or check out.)

On Demand Programs

On demand programming is open to any group, including classes, clubs (Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts), homeschoolers, etc. as the schedule of youth staff allows. On Demand Programs include everything from tours, storytimes, science programs, requested themed programs, “how to use the library,” to “book talks” on a special topic or age range, and more.

Outreach to Preschool Centers

Involves a youth staff person presenting a storytime program at the preschool, as schedules permit. Please call Joa at 754-5738, ext. 3 to discuss your program request and schedule a time.