Children’s programs grow young minds, helping to prepare children for success in school and in life. The library offers a variety of programming for children starting from the time they are born. Programs presented are appropriate for the age of the child and comply with the Pennsylvania Standards for Early Learning and School Readiness.
Summer programs help to prevent the summer slip, keeping kids on their journey to learning and achievement in school.
Due to space limitations, our programs generally require that you pre-register your child to attend. Some programs have nominal fees for registration.
For details on program dates please visit our calendar by clicking here.
Smart Start Story Time
Join Miss Ronice for this free program for parents, grandparents, caregivers and their babies, birth to 23 months of age, featuring books, songs and nursery rhymes. No registration is needed for this free program, however class sizes are limited, and participation is on a first-come first-served basis. Supported by the Lebanon County Library District.
Little Explorers Early Learning Classes
These outstanding programs are offered by Miss Amy, our Children’s Librarian, for children ages two through Kindergarten on a rotating schedule. The classes last for 30-45 minutes. All require pre-registration.
Little Explorers sessions are offered throughout the year as follows:
Winter/Spring – January through March
Summer – June through July
Fall/Winter – September through November
2 Years Old – 10:30 – 11:00 a.m. Monday (Tuesday for Summer)
3 Years Old – Kindergarten – 6:30 – 7:00 p.m. Wednesday
3 Years Old – Kindergarten – 10:30 – 11:00 a.m. Thursday or 1:30 – 2:00 p.m. Thursday
All children must be pre-registered to attend and the sessions require a $5.00 one time registration fee. (No fee in the summer)
1,000 Books Before Kindergarten
Early literacy starts with you! Help your child get ready to read!
- A home life that includes positive experiences with reading and the library ensures positive attitudes for reading once in school.
- Vocabulary can be developed by sharing books.
- Researchers tell us that children who hear and use lots of words before they enter Kindergarten are better prepared to succeed at reading and writing.
The library offers a 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program to help your child excel. Register your child for this ongoing program and you will receive a reading log where you can color a circle for every book that is read to your child. After the first 100 books, your child will receive a plastic book bag they can use to carry their library books. For each 100 more books, they will receive a scented sticker, with a special prize at the 500 book milestone. After 1,000 books, your child will receive a certificate proclaiming their amazing reading record, a free book and the choice to have their picture on our Wall of Reading Stars!
1,000 books may sound like a lot, but if you read three books to your child each day, in only one year, you will have read 1,095 books! It also does not matter if your child wants to hear the same book over and over; it counts as one book each time you read it, since repetition is good for children.
Elementary Age After School Programs
The library offers after school programming to youths in grades one through six through our monthly MakerSpace. Each session provides young people an opportunity to learn about Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics through hands-on projects. Makerspace is held the 3rd Tuesday of each month from September through April, 3:30pm – 5:00pm.
Summer Learning Program
An annual Summer Learning Program is offered through the library. A theme for the program is designated each year, and activities and special events are planned to coordinate with the theme. Registration begins in June. There are programs available for all ages that require reading (or being read to) a certain amount of time per week to qualify for a chance to win a grand prize at the end of the summer.
Our 2021 Summer theme is “Tails and Tales” For more information about Summer Learning, visit our page here.
Teen Programs
Teen programming is offered primarily through Phoenix Youth Center, which is located in Palm Lutheran Church (during the school year). The youth center is operated by the Library on behalf of Palmyra — a Caring Community (PACC) and is a nonsectarian organization that is open to all kids and teens from 3rd through 9th grade. This program offers kids a chance to unwind after school while also getting help completing their homework. For more information, visit the Phoenix Youth Center pages on our website.
Teen Summer Reading programs are offered as a cooperative effort between the Library and Phoenix Youth Center. Teens can sign up for the program at either location, and all programming is offered in the library.
