Due to a planned power outage, the West Branch returns slots and holds pickup locker will be unavailable from 6am–1pm on Friday, March 6.
The library's Youth Services Department makes the development of early literacy skills and school readiness for children a top priority. Our early literacy programs encourage caregivers to use five basic practices with children: talking, singing, reading, writing, and playing together. We use the BOUNCE label to identify books and other materials in the library's collection that help build literacy using these five activities.
Focusing on key early literacy practices, our library storytimes combine stories, fingerplays, action rhymes, music, and interactivity.
Can't make it to the library? Try our Storytime @ Home themed activities or enjoy our YouTube playlists.
Read books together and earn prizes along the way.
A PDF resource guide with fun activities for the year leading up to kindergarten.
Take a walk and read a book in these special outdoor installations.
Receive free books in the mail for your child from Dolly Parton's Imagination Library.
Although the Exploration Lab room at the Main Library is designed for children ages 7 and older, children ages 3–6 are invited to choose an Exploration Jr. kit to check out and enjoy with an adult (aged 16+) in the Kids Area outside of the Lab. These kits contain engaging learning materials that encourage early literacy and STEAM fun. You may check out one kit per adult, with a library card or driver’s license. Please use Exploration Jr. kits within the Kids Area only.
Exploration Jr. kits are available to borrow from the Exploration Lab during normal Lab hours.
Our books, audiovisual items, kits, and games enable children of all ages and their caregivers to enjoy the world of reading together. Here is a sample of the collections we provide to help with early literacy.
Board Books
Often a baby's first introduction to books and literacy, board books have sturdy covers and pages, bright pictures, and few words.
JE Picture Books
Picture books contain lots of illustrations that work together with text to tell stories. Since picture books can be designed for different audiences, look for our BOUNCE stickers on the spines of many of those meant for the youngest ages.
J Nonfiction
This collection contains informational books geared toward kids of all ages, so look for the BOUNCE labels on early literacy titles.
Readers
Designed for children who are learning to read, books in this collection are color-coded by reading level. Look for decodable books in this section, too.
Phonics Kits
Each kit contains a set of books that build on one another and help beginning readers develop their reading skills. Hooked on Phonics kits are also included.
Grab and Go Bags
Each bag includes five picture books (four fiction and one nonfiction) on a specific topic, like trucks, butterflies, friends, superheroes, and sports.
Board Games & Adventure Kits
Hands-on activities for families to check out and enjoy at home.
Readalongs
These are fiction picture books with audio narration through either an attached rechargeable preloaded player or a CD. Additional titles can be found interfiled with nonfiction, biography, and beginning readers.
For more readalong fun, ask us how to access read-along ebooks in our Hoopla and Libby digital collections.
