Children's Department

The Children's Services Department offers a variety of materials and programming for children and their families.

Upcoming Events for Kids and Families

Battle of the Books Tournament

March Madness isn’t the only battle going on this spring! Join us for our annual Battle of the Books. Sixteen books will battle, but only one will win. We're down to the final battle! Stop by the Main Library and vote to make sure that your favorite wins. You can also cast your vote online. The battle runs through April 21, and the winning book will be announced on April 22.

Crafternoons

Makers ages 15 and younger are welcome to stop by the Dr. James Carlson or Northport Libraries each week to get their craft on! Note that the same weekly project will be done at both locations.
Mondays, Jan.29 – Apr. 29 from 3 to 4:30 p.m.: Dr. James Carlson Library
Tuesdays, Jan. 30 – Apr. 30 from 3 to 4:30 p.m.: Northport Branch
April 15 & 16: Tea Light Fireflies
April 22 & 23: Paper Bag Fox
April 29 & 30: Dragon Eggs

Baby Rhyme Time

Babies ages birth to 24 months are invited to join us for the next sessions of lapsit storytimes at the Dr. James Carlson Library. Baby Rhyme Time is an opportunity for parents to share songs, fingerplays, short books, rhythms and rhymes with baby while introducing books and the library! Each session concludes with open play time. No pre-registration required. One child per grown-up lap please.
April 18 @ 10 a.m.
May 2 & 16 @ 10 a.m.

On a Blind Date with a Bat

How would you react if you saw a bat flying overhead? With fear, disgust, or confusion? Bats are mysterious creatures, and from Dracula to the present day, they can seem a bit frightening. If you're curious about bats join Sam Devick, a North Dakota 4-H Pollinator Habitat Ambassador, for a "blind date" with a bat at the Dr. James Carlson Library on April 20 at 10 a.m. You'll find out which animal bats really are, if they're actually blind, and how you can become friends with them. A bat-related activity will follow the presentation. This event is open to all ages but is geared towards kids in grades K-5. No pre-registration is required.

Family Trivia Nights

Rally your relatives and join us for family trivia night at the Main Library. Each month we'll feature a different theme and see who knows the most! Family trivia night is open to individuals, families, or teams of all ages - trivia works best for kids who are reading independently. Families are invited to pre-register at the beginning of the current month. Prizes for our top winners, and snacks for all!
April 25 at 6 p.m. - Big Blue Ball: Planet Earth
May 30 at 6 p.m. - May the Force Be with You: Star Wars

Butterfly Garden Adventures Reader's Theater with Playwright Annie Hough

Star in the debut production of local playwright Annie Hough's new play at the Main Library on April 27 at 10 a.m.! Hough received a 2023 TAP (The Arts Partnership) Individual Arts Partnership grant, and the reader's theater performance will be produced and videoed as part of the grant. Open to kids in grades 1-7. There are opportunities for older kids to perform the speaking roles and younger kids to play non-speaking roles. Register beginning April 6. If kids are interested in helping to create simple costumes and prop pieces, but don't want to perform, please call 701.241.1495. Kids will be reading from the script, there is no need to memorize lines. Please note: Parents/legal guardians must sign and turn in a video release form prior to the event.
10 a.m. - Divvy up roles and prop work; read through and rehearse the play or create simple costumes
12 p.m. - Lunch break (pizza provided)
1 p.m. - Reader's Theater performance of Butterfly Garden Adventures

Josie Dances with Author Denise Lejimodiere

Join us at the Main Library on April 29 at 6 p.m. as we welcome North Dakota Poet Laureate Denise Lajimodiere for a reading and book signing of Josie Dances, which was the children's book selected to represent ND at the 2023 National Book Festival. As an enrolled citizen of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, Lajimodiere will also include a culture show and tell. All ages are welcome. No pre-registration is required.

Kindergarten Success! Storytime

Get your child ready for Kindergarten by exploring literacy and STEAM topics through music, stories, songs, and play at the Main Library. Library staff will share tips you can use to instill a love of reading in your child. Activities follow each storytime and all children receive a FREE book! These events are appropriate for children ages 3-5.
May 4 at 10 a.m.

Namaste Toddler/Preschool Yoga

Introducing Toddler/Pre-School Yoga by Mojo Fit! It's never too soon to learn how to relax, breathe, pose, and find your center, all while having fun at the Main Library with a certified yoga instructor from Mojo Fit. Come dressed to stretch and move. We have a few mats available for kiddos to use, but if you have your own, bring it along! This class is best suited for ages 2-6. No pre-registration required.
May 9 @ 10 a.m.

Paws for Reading

Reading Therapy pets are available on the second Saturday of each month (through April) to listen to children practice their reading in a relaxed, informal setting. Kids in Kindergarten through 6th grade are invited to register for a 15-minute session with one of our non-judgmental listeners. Sessions begin at 10 a.m. at the Main Library. Bring your own books to read or choose from a selection of library books. Call the Children’s Services desk at 701.241.1495 to register for the current month.
May 11

Dial-A-Story

If you’ve ever wished you could listen to a story, a poem, or even a joke at any time, day or night, now you can! Call the Library’s Dial-A-Story phone line at 701.298.6927 anytime and choose the children’s option; new recordings are available every Monday. Selections are recorded by Children’s Library staff and are up to 5 minutes in length. Dial-A-Story recordings can be accessed by any phone.

Library Program Evaluation

Attended one of our programs? Tell us about your experience! This is a post-program survey to help us bring more events to our patrons. Your feedback means a great deal to us; thank you for your time in filling out this form.

Contact Us

If you have any questions or comments, please contact the Children's Services Department. We'll be happy to help!