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Home > Children's Center > Programs
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arrow Baby Lap Time arrow Toddler Time arrow Pre-School Story Hour    arrow Family Programs
arrow PAWS for Reading arrow School Age Programs arrow Summer Reading Club   arrow Teen Programs

arrow Baby Lap Time Go To Top

   Our Baby Time programs have been carefully prepared as a shared library experience for children under age two, with a caregiver. The librarian will share simple stories, songs and finger plays, as well as activities using music and movement. There is much research that shows how early literacy experiences build important brain connections in very young children.

   Baby Lap Sit is for pre-walkers (birth to approximately 12 mos.)
   Waddling Tots is for walkers (approximately 12-23 mos.)

arrow Toddler Time  Go To Top
   Toddler Time is a program series designed as a shared library experience for two year olds, with a caregiver. The librarian will share age appropriate stories, songs, fingerplays, activities and crafts in a group setting. Adults who accompany Toddlers are encouraged to actively participate as a model for their child. It is our goal to provide an educational experience that is also entertaining, and to nurture an early love of books
and reading.

arrow Pre-School Story Hour
   Pre-school story hour is a weekly, 30-minute story program for independent children age three to five. The librarian will share the best in children's literature and illustration, and will enhance the story time with songs, fingerplays, flannelboard and occasional crafts. In addition to sharing enriching literature, we will reinforce traditional pre-school concepts such as counting, identifying colors, animal names, etc. Pre-school
children with rich and varied literacy experiences have many advantages when they begin school.

arrow Family Programs
   Family programs are intended for families with children of varied ages. They might include story times, craft
sessions, or special events such as puppet shows, magic shows or science programs.

arrow PAWS for Reading
   Children who are just beginning to read, who need reading practice or who need a confidence boost are encouraged to take part in our PAWS for Reading programs. Trained and certified therapy dogs, along with their handlers, provide non-judgmental listening ears for young readers. Children may sign up for 15-minute
sessions to read to a dog.

arrow School Age Programs
   Many programs are held after school, on Saturdays and vacation weeks for children age 6-11. Librarians may share longer stories, activities, crafts and snacks on a variety of themes. Children might explore a science concept, experience the books of a certain author or illustrator, investigate another culture or enjoy
classic read-aloud stories.

arrow Summer Reading Club 

   Every summer the library conducts a reading club for children in grades 1-5. Children who join are asked to keep track of how much time they spend reading each day. On a reading record that is kept at the library, they indicate how many hours they have read and earn prizes as they reach reading goals. Weekly special events include professional singers, storytellers, magicians, animal programs and much more. Children will participate in contests and raffles, too. Research clearly shows that children who read just 20 minutes a day during the summer will maintain the reading level they achieved at the end of the school year.

   Teen Reading Clubs are conducted for children in grades 6 and up. The program is modified for the interests of middle and high school readers. Stop into the Central library or any branch and pick up a Bingo card to use as a reading record. Pick a row and read the suggested categories. Or, keep it all "your choice". If you like, write your titles on the back of the card and give us some feedback. Love it? Hate it? We'd like to know! When you have completed a row, turn in your card and earn a bag of goodies. It's easy and fun!
   Many programs are held throughout the summer for teens. From book discussions to crafts, from movies to manga - there is something for everyone. Check our Events menu or pick up a flyer at your local branch. Join in!

 

arrow Teen Programs
   Programs for teenagers vary from library to library and may include special events for middle school age children to high school age. These may include movie or craft nights, writing workshops, or special interest
clubs such as manga or Book Buddies.

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Schenectady County Public Library(518) 388-4500scpl@scpl.org
Central Library • 99 Clinton St., Schenectady, NY 12305-2083