Children's Services

Welcome to the New Haven Free Public Library. Our children's librarians are eager to help you discover the resources available in the Children's Room at the Main Library and at the branches. Browse through the collection, play computer games and be sure to ask about upcoming programs and events.

Check out our online Children's Circle and download the pdf version here!

Summer Reading Lists

Check out the Summer 2011 Reading Lists for the New Haven Public Schools!

Services

• Help - Childrens librarians available to help find books, use the computer and offer reading suggestions
• Computers - Internet access and educational games & programs
• Good Reads - Huge selection of classics and latest titles
• Booklists - Lists of books on a variety of subjects and age/reading levels

Programs

• Toddler play groups / story times
• Preschool play groups / story times
• Class visits for daycares, preschools, home schools, grades k—8 and groups
• Booktivities - book centered crafts for 5-12 year olds
• Book clubs
• Chess instruction and play
• Annual Summer Reading Program
• Special events featuring children's writers and illustrators

All programs are open to the public and are free of charge.

• This month's programs

Materials

Books

• ABC / 123 concept books for toddlers
• I-Can Read books for beginning readers
• Science Experiments books
• Books in foreign languages including Chinese, French, Spanish and more
• Special parenting collection

Computers

• Internet access
• BookFlix by Scholastic (online literacy resource) - also accessible from home with your library card
• Databases: including African American Experience, Latino American Experience, also accessible from home
• Magic School Bus programs
• Microsoft Office: (Access, Word, Publisher and Excel)

DVD & VHS

• 5 movies for 7 days with an adult or young adult card

Books-on-Tape

• CD, cassette and Playaways (audio books on mp3 player)

Museum Passes

• Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum
• Children’s Museum (West Hartford)
• Connecticut Beardsley Zoo
• Connecticut’s Old State House Museum in Hartford
• Connecticut Science Center
• Custom House Maritime Museum
• Discovery Museum and Planetarium
• Florence Griswold Museum
• Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk (discounted combo pass)
• Mystic Aquarium (discounted admission)
• Roaring Brook Nature Center
• State Parks pass (available in summer)
• Stepping Stones Museum
• Yale Peabody Museum

Click here for more information

Children's Library Cards

Click here for information on library cards and borrowing.

Revised July 21, 2011