Recurring Programs

                              Weekly Programs 

 Motion-Maker Storytime (1-6)

                                                 Description

This high-energy weekly Storytime brings the magic of visual 
Storytelling to young patrons. Every session involves dancing to iconic songs from children's films, a read-aloud of a book based on a popular animated medium, and a hands-on arts-and-crafts activity.
    

                                              Developmental Value

 This program allows children to build gross motor skills through dance and fine motor skills through crafts like coloring and finger painting. The connection to music, literature, and art familiar to movies allows an enhancement of visual literacy, comprehension, and sensory engagement.

                                              EDI/Resources

 There is educational value in connecting physical books to library electronic resources (like movie soundtracks on Hoopla). To support diversity, subtitles are used on video elements, select films featuring diverse global characters, and offer adaptive, chunky-grip paintbrushes for children with varying motor abilities.
Staffing would involve two children's department employees and 2 volunteers, one being a teen and an adult (assists with craft setup and cleanup). 

                                      LEGO ANIMATION STUDIO (Ages 8-12).

                           

This exciting hands-on tech workshop is for older children to bring classic bricks to life. The kids will use library LEGO collections to create custom scenes, backdrops, and character figures. Using tablets and apps that allow stop-motion, user-friendly, frame-by-frame sequences to create their own short films. For youth who prefer to create one Lego structure, staff will take pictures and display them on a "Studio Gallery Wall" with children's names and creation titles. They will also be displayed in a glass display for their entire community to view.    
          This activity enhances visual literacy skills, spatial awareness, and technological literacy. Children use problem-solving as they create these frames and learn camera angles and how to place objects to create motion in their stories. 

          This integrates physical building materials with library technology (tablets and software to create these videos). Diversity is promoted by providing free access to high-end technology tools that families may not have at home. 

            This activity involves 3 staff, 1 teen volunteer, and 1 adult volunteer.

          

                                     Script Writers Club (Ages 8–12)

        A weekly creative writing workshop designed for young writers to learn the basics of writing narratives, dialogue writing, creating stories, developing characters, and turning their wildest imagination into working movie scripts   

   

            Strengthens formal writing skills, expands vocabulary, and deepens understanding of plot structure (beginning, middle, and end). Creating stories helps take abstract ideas into concrete concepts.

Creating this program uses library graphic novels and online writing tools for inspiration. To support diversity and inclusion, kids are encouraged to write stories from their own cultural backgrounds. We also offer speech-to-text software for children who find typing or writing difficult.

 

This program uses library graphic novels and online writing tools for inspiration. To support diversity and inclusion, kids are encouraged to write stories from their own cultural backgrounds. We also offer speech-to-text software for children who find typing or writing difficult

• 2 Children's Staff and 1 teen and 1 adult volunteer

        

4. Let's Get Moving! (Ages 5–8)

                                              Description

   

    This is a high-energy weekly program held mostly outdoors in the library's garden area.  Each week, children participate in a fun physical activity—such as a game of tag, navigating a backyard jungle obstacle course, shooting miniature basketballs, or practicing playful yoga stretches. After burning off energy, the kids gather on picnic blankets in the shade to listen to an interactive read-aloud of a picture book or easy reader starring a fictional character playing a sport.

                                      

                                                    Developmental Value

Drastically builds gross motor skills, physical agility, and spatial awareness through targeted weekly games. Combining active physical play with resting listening time helps children practice self-regulation, mindfulness, and active auditory focus

                                                        Resources/EDI

 Showcases physical picture books and easy reader collections focused on athletics and teamwork. To foster diversity and inclusion, we select stories featuring sports characters from various cultural backgrounds and physical abilities. Activities are easily modified—such as using lower basketball hoops or sensory-friendly obstacle pathways—so that children of all coordination levels can participate completely independently.

 
                               MONTHLY PROGRAMS 

  Paws & Playback: Read to Dogs (Ages 5–10)

         A monthly, relaxing reading time with certified therapy dogs. The program starts with a fun 3-minute animal movie clip to spark imagination.

                                            Description

A monthly, relaxing reading hour with certified therapy dogs. The program starts with a fun 3-minute animal movie clip to spark imagination. Next, children pair up with a dog to practice reading an early reader book. Kids who cannot read yet can use picture books to make up and tell their own stories to their furry listener. 

                                              Developmental Value:

Reading or telling stories to a friendly dog builds reading confidence, reduces public speaking anxiety, and helps kids speak more smoothly. The opening movie clip helps kids practice looking for visual clues and models how to tell an exciting story.
                                                  

                                                Resources/EDI

Uses the library's physical picture books and easy reader collections. This program provides a welcoming, judgment-free space for struggling readers, English language learners, and neurodivergent children who feel comforted by the presence of animals.

                                                    STAFF REQUIREMENTS

 

Children's Assistant (manages check-ins) and 2-3 Certified Volunteer Therapy Dog Handlers.

                               

     Fact-Finder Film Scouts (Ages 7–10)

                                                      Description:

 A monthly information literacy quest. Children are given a "Scout Manual" packed with trivia questions about a specific animal or cinematic topic. To find the answers and unearth hidden visual clues, they embark on a scavenger hunt through the library's physical non-fiction shelves. Turning in a completed manual earns them a custom library keychain and a small treats.                                        

                                            Developmental Value

Builds practical information literacy, critical thinking, and independent navigational skills. Children learn how to use the Dewey Decimal system, table of contents, and book indexes to extract targeted facts from informational texts.

                                              Resources/EDI 

 Leverages the library's physical non-fiction book collection. To ensure equity, the hunt is designed to be fully wheelchair-accessible, and scouts can pair up in "buddy teams" to support peers with reading difficulties or language barriers

                                                Staffing

 Children's Library Staff to greet scouts, hand out manuals, and check answers at the reference desk.

                             BOOKS THAT TAKE THE BIG SCREEN (Ages 8–12).

                               Description

A monthly book-to-screen discussion group. Before the meeting, members check out a designated chapter book. During the meeting, the club discusses the plot, watches a short 5-minute clip of the film adaptation, and passionately debates which medium told the story better while enjoying popcorn.

                                             Developmental Value

            Encourages critical analysis, literature skills, and active listening. Children learn critical thinking through forming opinions, citing evidence from text/film, and respecting different viewpoints within a group discussion setting. 

                                               Resources/EDI 

           Utilized the physical chapter book collection and library movie streaming databases (like Kanopy or Hoopla). EDI is supported by choosing books with diverse protagonists and authors, and providing audiobook options for participants with visual or print disabilities.                    

                                          Staffing Requirements

                      Cinematic Escape Room (Ages 8–12).

                                         Description

A monthly interactive team challenge. The library's programming room is transformed into a movie-themed puzzle box. Teams of children must work together to crack codes, solve logic puzzles, and decipher hidden messages within "film reels" and book pages to complete their mission before the timer runs out.

                                         Developmental Value:

Promotes collaborative teamwork, deductive reasoning, and creative problem-solving. Children must communicate clearly under a time constraint and use spatial and math-based logic to solve physical puzzles.

                                            EDI/Resources

Incorporates physical props, math manipulatives, and clue sheets linked to library database trivia. Inclusion is built into the design by creating multi-sensory puzzles (some visual, some tactile, some auditory) so that children with different learning styles and abilities can all contribute uniquely to the team's success.

 

                                                            Staffing

3 Library Staff and 1 Adult and two teen volunteers. Library Staff set up rooms and take down rooms. Also keep volume control. Teen volunteers also help with set up, and the adult volunteer gives directions.