Clark Memorial Library has a dedicated Children’s Room on the first floor. This space is geared for our youngest patrons and their caregivers. Offering comfortable seating and ample lighting, the fully carpeted area is decorated to amaze and delight young minds. Other than a terminal to access our catalog, the Children’s Room is a screen-free environment.
We regularly offer single event or multiple event programs for kids of all ages – check our Events Calendar for specifics – as well as endearing ongoing programming, like our Wednesday morning Children’s Story Hour that includes puppetry, songs and a curated craft that complements the book.
We also participate in the state-wide Summer Reading Program each year, offering engaging rewards for participating children. In addition to our print books, we offer digital resources for kids of all ages, from eBooks and movies, to D.I.Y. projects and crafts, to personal development modules.
This week in the Children’s Room:
D.I.Y. Comic Creations
Open to teens & tweens and young adults. Join us on Tuesdays from 3pm to 5pm on the 2nd floor in the Teens & Tweens area to make your own comics.
Children’s Story Hour
This program is for preschool aged children, with a grownup present. Come join us for our Children’s Story Hour, Wednesdays starting at 10:45am.
Silent Book Club
Open to teens & tweens. Join our Silent Book Club where we read in 15 minute sprints on Wednesdays from 3pm to 5pm on the 2nd floor in the Teens & Tweens area.
The Children’s Room – 1st Floor
This beautiful, sun-drenched space on the first floor of the library is warm and inviting to young children and their care givers. The area is fully carpeted and has a comfortable hang out space with two couches, a Maker Space that is always offering a craft, plenty of games and, of course, books.
The Children’s Room was dedicated in honor of Nancy J. Disbrow on February 3rd, 2024.
Nancy is a longtime Library supporter who has served as a member of the BLA board, the 1937 Legacy Society, and the Friends of the Library throughout her lifetime, and was instrumental in fundraising for the Children’s Room renovation.
Local quilting artist Wendy Frieden donated one of her creations, the “Kaleidoscope Quilt”, to the Library to decorate the Children’s Room soon after it was renovated. It currently hangs on the back wall, behind the Juvenile Nonfiction shelves.
Books
From board books to picture books, easy readers to non-fiction, and chapter books to graphic novels we have you covered. Use our online catalog to browse and reserve books.
1000 Books Before Kindergarten
Start them young with the “1000 Books Before Kindergarten” book bags. The 1000 Books Foundation runs the “1000 Books Before Kindergarten” challenge that is a nationwide program created to promote reading to newborns, infants, and toddlers and to encourage parent/child bonding through reading. Come check out one of our many curated bags of 10 books created specifically for our patrons to help them meet this challenge.
Maker Space
This well-loved section of the Children’s Room is where you will find activities for our youngest patrons. Whether that is in the form of printed pages to color, magna tiles, play stix, bristle blocks, or a specifically curated craft, you will find these activities set out on our 4-table Maker Space, which is next to the toy and puzzle bookshelf near the circulation desk. Finished masterpieces may be taken home or added to our Creation Station (by the “1000 Books Before Kindergarten”) for everyone to enjoy. New activities are posted weekly to the Maker Space.
Children’s Programs
We offer a well-attended Children’s Story Hour on Wednesdays beginning at 10:45. This fan-favorite features puppets and singing to start and concludes with a curated craft tied to the theme of that week’s book. Come join the fun! We also offer many one off or limited session children’s programs throughout the year so check our Events calendar and keep an eye on our Facebook page to stay up to date on all of the programs we offer for Children.
Child & Caregiver Lounge
We have a wonderful, sun-lit area with soft couches for relaxing and reading your favorite book. Come relax and read here at the Library!