A book is a dream...

The great thing about Neil Gaiman's books is that he's written books for everyone: little ones, students, adults. Your whole family could pick up a different book by him and read together happily. 

Winter Break Activities

Need something to do during your Winter Break? Stop by the library every day at 2 pm for a free activity during your vacation!

Homeschool Programs 2018

The schedule for our Winter Homeschool Programs is here! Check out all of the cool programs we will be offering in 2018.

 

Registration is necessary for many of the programs, so please call 610-655-6350 x3 or email rplmc@reading.lib.pa.us to reserve a spot. 

 

In the news: author visit!

We always love to read about our library in the newspaper, so we were doubly excited to see that our author visit with Shane Burcaw made it into the Reading Eagle!

December!

Winter is here! Are you ready? Stop by the library to pick up your winter reads. We also have lots of programs!

• Our annual Winter Party will be held on December 18 at 4:30 pm. At 5 pm, Yocum Institute of the Arts will be joining us for a special performance!
• Mr. David will be singing about our Reading Buddies that same morning at 10:30 am!
• Need something to do over Winter Break? We'll have a free activity each day of your break at 2 pm!

Author Visit: Shane Burcaw!!!

Don't forget! Our author visit with Shane Burcaw is fast approaching. Join us on Thursday, November 30 at 11:30 am to hear Shane read his brand new children's book, "Not So Different: What You Really Want to Ask About Having a Disability!"

Nonsense!

Your guide to...CHAPTER BOOKS!

Is your child having trouble making the transition from picture or easy books into novels? No problem! We have a solution for you!

Presenting…CHAPTER BOOKS!

These books fill the gap between the picture-heavy books that help drive the story and the more complex storylines of novels.

November Events (and an AUTHOR VISIT!!!)

November is almost here! We're finishing off the Fall with a schedule of exciting programs:

First off, don't forget to Adopt a Reading Buddy! Find out how here!

Second, we are lucky to be hosting an author visit this month on November 30! Shane Burcaw will be reading his new children's book, "Not So Different: What You Really Want to Ask About Having a Disability." He'll let us know what it's like to be an author and answer our questions! Parents, join your child for this great event!

Speaking of parents: bring your little ones to our preschool storytimes on Monday mornings and our playtimes on Wednesdays. This is a great time to meet up with other busy parents, socialize your children, and get out of the house!

Author Visit!

Join us for an exciting author visit with Shane Burcaw! Shane is from Bethlehem, PA and has written a YA memoir and is about to release a brand new kids' book called "Not So Different: What You Really Want to Ask About Disability!" Any questions? Call the library at 610-655-6350 x3.

A Tremendous Thing

Looking for a book to re-read or share with your child? You can't go wrong with a classic like Charlotte's Web!

Adopt a Reading Buddy

Don't forget about our Adopt a Reading Buddy challenge for kids ages 2 to 6. Work on an "adoption booklet" of pre-literacy worksheets with your child, then hand it in so your child can earn a stuffed animal reading buddy!

New Programs for Little Ones!

Need help raising a reader? Need somewhere to play? Visit us for these new programs made especially for you and your little one!

October Calendar!

Lots of fun for Fall at the library. Stop by and check out some of our new programs, including: 

• Fall storytime for preschoolers!
• Playtime with blocks, toys, and our new Animal Hospital dramatic play kit! 
• Tween Time for kids ages 9-12!
• Messy Play with slime every month! 
• Adopt a Reading Buddy is back! Your little one can fill out an early literacy pamphlet and earn a reading buddy!

Garden Sprouts

Special thanks to everyone that made Garden Sprouts a big success! We had a lot of fun planting and growing. We had zinnias and marigolds, plus all kind of vegetables, including corn, peppers, tomatoes, and herbs.

Adopt a Reading Buddy

Last year's "Adopt a Reading Buddy" program was such a success that we're bringing it back! Starting October 1, you and your child can pick up an "adoption booklet" full of early learning activities to complete together. Once you're ready to hand it in, you can choose a reading buddy stuffed animal from our collection. Each buddy has a backstory and a birthday so you can choose the best buddy for your family. You'll also receive a swag bag with a cozy blanket courtesy of Blankets of Hope!

When in doubt...

Hermione Granger knows what's up. When you need to know, the library should be your first stop. Remember that this school year!

Build it!

We had a blast all summer at our Build It program. Thanks to a Wee Build grant, we received dozens of cool block sets and toys. At each meeting, we read a book with an accompanying building challenge and got to work on our STEM skills. 

The Build It program continues through the fall. Check out the video below!

Pardon our dust!

Please add this to your schedule so you can plan accordingly! While the ceiling gets repaired, the children's library may only have limited availability of materials and offerings. The children's room will be open, but may be running at a limited capacity.

Get the card!

September is Library Card Sign-Up Month!
Do you have your card???

Need a new card for your child? Here's what a child needs to get a card:

Having trouble with past fines? You can still make an E-card which will give you access to our digital collection including our e-books, streaming movies, and music on Hoopla and Overdrive. You can get this card no matter how much your fines are!

Babies Need Words

Just a reminder: talk to your baby about what you see. It may sound silly to talk to your baby at the store or library, but that's how your baby will learn new words about their world.

Help Your Child Adjust To School Life

Anxious for the first day of school? Try these tips to make the first day a good day! #tryit

Eclipse Party!

Watch the Eclipse from the best view in the city! The library is hosting a special party on the Doubletree Garage Rooftop! Get free eclipse glasses and join the fun!

Babies Need Words

Just a reminder: ask your baby questions! Does that sound strange to you? Questions are just another way for you to introduce your baby to new words and phrases. The more you talk, the more your child will know.

August events!

The summer may be ending, but we still have lots of programs happening this August in the children's library. The last day for the Summer Reading Game is August 19, so be sure to hand in your tickets for our raffles!

Garden Sprouts' last day is August 15 at 4 pm! Join us for our last day in the community garden!

Yocum Institute will be performing their play, "The Clumsy Dragon" on August 10 at 11 am. The teen ensemble always does an amazing job!

Our last Family Night of the summer is August 14 at 5:30 pm. Bring your family for a fun activity you can all do together.

Still reading?

Still reading? The last day for the summer reading game is August 19. Hand in your tickets to earn brand new books!

Our first podcast interview!

RPL's podcast, "Down the Block and Around the World" recently featured the children's library's own Miss Marissa.

What does she have to say about our library and its future? What programs are coming? And how the heck do you get a kid to read? These questions and much more!

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN!

Calling all superheroes!

Are you ready for Comic Con? It's going to be "super!"

How is it "growing?"

Our Garden Sprouts program has been meeting every Tuesday to plant seeds. So how is it “growing?” Great! We have lettuce, tomatoes, and corn sprouting as wells flowers like zinnias and morning glories. Kid also planted sunflowers and tomatoes to take home. Think you have what it takes to Garden Sprout? Join us every Tuesday at 4 pm to monitor the plants’ progress, help us weed the garden, and learn about growing a healthier you!

July Perfomers

We Build with "Wee Build!"

RPL was recently awarded a “Wee Build” grant to promote STEM learning! We received a dozen boxes of brand new building toys for all ages to explore and play with. Check them out at our passive play stations and at our “Build It!” program! The next program is on Thursday, June 29 at 4 pm.  Check out these happy builders below:

Let's Play (and learn)!

Have you seen our brand new Dramatic Play Centers yet? There's a different one at each of our branches. You can cook with your little one at the kitchen/restaurant at NE. Give a health check-up to a stuffed animal pet at the vet clinic at SE. Build at the construction zone at NW. Or go grocery shopping at the market at Main.

When your little one picks up a toy, he's not just messing around. Play is how children learn. When you interact with your child through play, you are TEACHING:

• Ask him questions ("Where are all the red fruits?")
• Show him how things work ("We can make a tall tower if we stack these blocks together")
• Stimulate his imagination ("What's on the menu, little chef?")

Stop by one of the dramatic play centers to teach your child!