Randal Tyson Children's Library

Come enjoy our wonderful resources for children and families! We have an ever-expanding collection of board books, picture books, easy readers, juvenile fiction, nonfiction and reference resources; electronic databases, films on VHS and DVD, music CDs, educational games on CD-ROM, various materials in Spanish, parenting resources, puzzles, and educational kits. Settle into a cozy reading nook and put your child on the path to becoming a great reader. Additionally, we offer computer access for toddlers to pre-teens. And, don't forget to take advantage of our children's programs, including:

• Preschool, toddler, and baby story times four days a week;
• Creative writing workshops;
• 7-Ups, a volunteer program for rising 7th graders;
• Holiday storytelling and family events;
• After-School Adventures; and
• Sit, Stay, Read!, a program in which children gain confidence by reading to animal partners.

Day care and school groups should call 856-7120 in order to schedule a program.

Summer Reading Club

• Sign up for summer reading here
• For readers who do not have regular access to a computer, please feel free to print out and turn in a paper version of the registration form [PDF].
• Reading Bug Calendar of Events [PDF]
• Printable Listening Log [PDF]
• Printable Reading Log [PDF]

Our Summer Reading Club for preschool and elementary-age children run from late April through August. Participants keep a log of their independent reading and win cool prizes, as well as an official certificate of participation. Additionally, the SRP features performers, storytellers, musicians, craft and performing arts workshops, and reading-based activities to inspire and educate your child all summer long.

Friday Morning Movies (10 am)

Weekly Story Times, September – May

Baby Bookworms – birth to 24 months – Monday and Thursday, 9:45 am
Toddler Time – ages 2 to 3 – Thursday and Friday, 10:30 am
Preschool Storytime – ages 3 to 5 – Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, 10:30 am
Cuentos y Mas! Stories and More – ages 3 to 6 – Wednesday, 11:15 am

Additional Information about Children's Programming

Baby Bookworms

Baby Bookworms happens every Monday and Thursday morning at 9:45 am. Sign-up is not required. The program is for children ages 0 months to 24 months. This story time was specially developed to recognize the developmental needs and attention spans of the children this age. Parents/Caregivers interact with their babies through a variety of nursery rhymes, action rhymes, songs, and stories. Because Baby Bookworms have short attention spans, participants are encouraged to be on time as the program is brief, lasting between 20 and 25 minutes.

Toddler Time

Toddler Time happens every Thursday and Friday morning at 10:30 am. Sign-up is not required. This story time is specifically for 2- and 3-year-olds. Although Toddler Time follows a traditional story time format, special care is taken to include opportunities for movement; short, developmentally-appropriate stories; and weekly repetition. Children sit near their caregivers during the story time so that they may interact, which we encourage. If a toddler becomes fussy, we ask that the caregiver please step out of the story time room with the child until the child has calmed down. The goal of Toddler Time is to develop an early appreciation of books and stories, foster self-esteem in young children, and have fun!

Preschool Story Time

Preschool Story Time happens every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday at 10:30 am. September through May in the Wal-Mart Story Time Room. During the months of June, July and August, Preschool Story Time takes place every Monday and Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. Sign-up is not required. These 30-minute programs are geared toward children ages 3, 4 and 5 and feature a variety of stories, music, puppetry, finger plays and a craft.

We ask that parents and caregivers remain with their preschooler during the program unless a younger sibling becomes disruptive, at which time we encourage the adult to take the younger sibling out of the story time room. Due to space restrictions, we ask that strollers be parked in the designated area at the room entrance. We also ask adults not to use cell phones during story time and to please refrain from bringing beverages into the story time room.

7-Up Volunteer Program for Rising 7th-Graders

Students who have completed the 6th grade and are entering 7th grade in the fall are invited to be 7-Ups. These rising 7th-graders work with children's library staff throughout the summer, assisting with programs, craft preparation, special events, and overall upkeep of the Children's Library. This is a wonderful volunteer opportunity for those interested in serving their community, and it is a great way to meet new friends. Sign-up takes place in the Children's Library as soon as school is dismissed for the summer.

Holiday Storytelling and Family Events

The Children's Library celebrates diversity by hosting special multicultural family events and holiday programs. For families with children of all ages, these fun and educational offerings include a speaker or performer, crafts, games, music, and food. Past celebrations include Halloween Storytelling, Chinese New Year, Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, a Hawaiian luau, and the Wild West Family Festival. Family events require sign-up for the craft area only.

After-School Adventures

After-School Adventures are offered throughout the school year for children in grades K through 5. These events are theme-based and require registration. Adventures may include stories, songs, games, crafts and food.

Sit, Stay, Read!

There's a dog in the library! This successful program pairs emerging readers with a certified therapy dog and its human owner. Sessions are held throughout the year. Participants commit to six reading sessions, at the conclusion of which they receive their own Sit, Stay, Read! tee-shirt. Registration forms are available at the Children's Reference Desk.

This non-judgmental reading atmosphere improves confidence in reading skills and reading aloud. Currently, we have five volunteers and therapy dogs, but we are always looking for more certified volunteers or volunteers who are interested in getting their pet certified. Contact Lolly Greenwood, 856-7120, for more information on becoming a reader or a volunteer. Log on to www.deltasociety.org to learn more about getting a dog certified as a therapy dog.

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