Monday, January 7 – Friday, March 1

Winter Reading is back this year with a new twist! Sign up for Winter Reading starting Monday, January 7 and earn points for reading, completing challenges, and attending library programs. We’ll keep track of your point total, which you can use to spend on all kinds of cool prizes! Different prizes cost different point amounts, so you can save your points up for big grand prize entries, or use them on lots of smaller prizes – it’s up to you! You can also use your points to collect Challenges Pins or vote for the theme of our spring break fest: Star Wars, Minecraft, Pinkalicious, or Daniel Tiger.

The last day to earn a redeem points is Friday, March 1. Ask a Youth Services Librarian for more information. Supplies are limited.

Cover of Tale of DesperauxTales and Treats

Tuesdays through March 26 at 4:00 pm
Children in grades K – 2 can enjoy games, crafts, a story and snacks.  This winter, we’ll read the Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo.
Register one week in advance of each session. Space is limited.

Cute girl with butterfly face paintingToddler Art Zone

Tuesdays through March 26 at 11:15 am
Children ages 2 – 4 years old and their families explore different art materials and create masterpieces.

No registration is required.


Club 4&5

Tuesdays through March 26 at 2:00 pm
Stories, songs, and crafts for children ages 4 and 5 years old

Register one week in advance of each session. Space is limited.


Puzzle PiecesPuzzle Club

Fridays, February 8 and March 8 at 4:00 pm

Work together to complete puzzles of various sizes and difficulties. Participants can work on as many puzzles as they like.  For children ages 4 – 14.

No registration is required.


Builder’s Club

Wednesdays, through March 27 at 4 pm

Children ages 4-14 are invited to join us for Builder’s Club every Wednesday! Build creations with your preferred material following the prompts for each session. Participants can bring their own materials or use the ones available at the library. Participants may also leave their creations to display at the library between meetings.

No registration is required.


students drawing

Ready, Set, Draw!

Wednesdays, January 30, February 27 and March 27 at 6:00 pm

Are you a serious artist?  Maybe you have never picked up a drawing pencil.  Either way, come explore and develop your artistic talents at the library.  Each one-hour session will begin with a prompt and end with a masterpiece.  All art materials will be provided by the library.

For ages 8 through 12.  Registration is required and begins a week in advance of each program. Registration closes at 9 p.m. the Tuesday before each meeting. Space is limited.


Monday Movers

Mondays, February 4 and March 4 from 3:00 – 4:00 pm

Babies and toddlers 0-3 years old, with their favorite grown up, are invited to join us for themed free play.  Each meeting will begin with a book followed by free play. Enjoy a variety of sensory play activities, movement activities, musical instruments and more each month.

Registration is required and begins a week in advance of each program. Registration closes at 5:00 pm the Sunday before each meeting. Space is limited.


Pokemon LogoPokémon Club: Wednesdays and Fridays!

Wednesday, February 20 from 6:00 to 7:00 pm

Friday, February 1 from 4:00 to 5:00 pm

Bring your trading cards and decks for fierce battling and trading!  Trainers ages 4 – 14 are welcome!

Registration is not required. This is a drop-in program.  


CookiesCookies and Crafts

Mondays,  February 11 and March 11 at 4:00 pm

Children ages 3 to 12 years old are invited to drop in and create their own craft using library supplies. Enjoy a cookie treat while you create your masterpiece!

No registration is required.


Girl playing with lettuceBooks and Cooks

Mondays, January 28, February 25 and March 25 from 4 to 4:45 pm

Junior chefs ages 7 through 12 are invited to join us for a story followed by cooking a simple recipe.

Registration is required and begins one week in advance of each session. Registration closes at 5 p.m. the Sunday before each program.

Kindermusik for Babies and Toddlers

Saturday, February 9 at 10:30 am

Families with babies to 2 year olds are invited to join us for a 30-minute Kindermusik class. An instructor from Kindermusik will lead us through music and movement activities. These activities have proven developmental benefits such as boosting language abilities, social-emotional skills and cognitive development

Registration is required and begins January 5 and February 2. Space is limited.

Kindermusik for Preschoolers

Saturday, February 9 at 11:15 am

Children ages 3 to 5 years old are invited to join a Kindermusik instructor for fun music and movement activities.

Registration is required and begins January 5 and February 2. Space is limited.


Ballet Excel Ohio Performance

Saturday, February 23 at 11:00 am

Families with children of all ages are invited to join us for a performance from Ballet Excel Ohio. The group will be performing a portion of Peter Pan. As always, Ballet Excel Ohio performances are original works for children, by children.

No registration is required. Boarding passes may be picked up in the Children’s Room beginning 30 minutes prior to the show.


Teddy Bear Tea

Saturday, January 26 at 2:00 pm

Children ages 4 through 10 and their favorite teddy bears are invited to an afternoon tea at the library!  We will provide all the tea, snacks, and smashing activities you need to fill your afternoon with delight.  If you feel inclined to put on your finest, please do not hesitate to come in style!  And, don’t forget about your teddy – they are more than welcome to dress-up as well.  Dolls or other stuffed animals may be substituted in place of teddy bears.

Registration is required and begins on January 19. Space is limited.


American Girl Spotlight: Kirsten

Saturday, February 16 at 11:00 am

American Girl fans in grades K-6 are invited to join us for a celebration of all things Kirsten! Bring your doll and learn more about Kirsten’s time period with fun games and activities that Kirsten herself would have enjoyed, including human- and doll-sized crafts! Children are welcome to bring any doll with them – she does not need to be an American Girl doll or Kirsten specifically – however, doll-sized crafts will be sized for dolls around 18-inches tall.

Registration is required and begins one week in advance on February 9.


Pokémon Battle Training!

Monday, February 18 from 3:30 – 5:00 pm

Do you want to learn how to battle your Pokémon deck? Or are you already battling and looking to practice? Either way, spend part of your President’s Day at the library for this BATTLING ONLY Pokémon program! We will spend time going over the rules of play, and then practice by battling a partner. Please bring your Pokémon deck if you can. There will be no trading taking place at this program.

Registration is required and begins on February 11. Space is limited.


Ballet Excel Ohio Performance

Saturday, February 23 at 11:00 am

Families with children of all ages are invited to join us for a performance from Ballet Excel Ohio. The group will be performing a portion of Peter Pan. As always, Ballet Excel Ohio performances are original works for children, by children.

No registration is required. Boarding passes may be picked up in the Children’s Room beginning 30 minutes prior to the show.


Nintendo Party

Saturday, March 30 at 11:00 am

Students in Kindergarten – 8th Grade are invited to join us for a party featuring Nintendo favorites from Mario games, Legend of Zelda, Pokémon, and more! Enjoy crafts*, games, and food! Come dressed as your favorite character for even more fun! *Younger children may need assistance from an adult to complete some of the crafts.

Registration is required and begins one week in advance of each session. Registration closes at 6 pm the Friday before the program.

Do you collect something? We’d love to show your collection in the Children’s Department display cases! Reservations forms and more information are available at the Children’s Desk. Registration for Kids Collect is underway.

Sponsored by the Kent Rotary, the story time room is transformed in the middle of the week once story times have concluded to provide early learning experiences, socialization and imaginative play for young children through a rotating collection of educational toys. Hours are as follows:

Wednesdays 2:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Thursdays 9:00 am – 8:30 pm
Fridays 9:00 am – 5:30 pm
Saturdays 9:00 am – 4:30 pm
Sundays 1:00 pm – 4:30 pm

The Early Literacy Center is for children ages 5 and under with an adult.  Please sign in at the desk in the DuBois Children’s Reading Room upon arrival.