LIBRARY HOURS
MON-THURS 10:00 - 8:00
FRIDAY 10:00 - 5:00
SATURDAY 10:00 - 3:00
Upcoming Holiday Closing: All day Monday Feb 17 for President’s Day.
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Colonial Kids
Thursdays at 3:30 p.m.
April 9, 23, 30
Grades K-5
Take a step back into colonial times for this three-week program. We will explore the food, games, and crafts of our colonial kid ancestors. As we travel back to a simpler time, we will make our own butter, cranberry sauce and johnny cakes. From button spinners to cup-and-ball toys, this program offers a glimpse of what fun was had with limited resources and your imagination.
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Registration is required and opens on Monday, March 30, at 10:00 a.m.
Family Craft Night:
Decoupage Paper Lanterns
Monday, May 11 at 6:30 p.m.
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Paper lanterns in Asia are ancient symbols of
happiness, good luck, and vitality, with traditions rooted in Chinese, Japanese, and Southeast Asian
cultures. Help us celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month by creating our own custom paper lanterns with the colors and designs of your choice. Registration is required and opens on Monday, April 27 at 10:00 a.m.
Sing and Sign with Ms. Janine
Tuesday, May 5 at 10:30 a.m.
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Music and sign language programs
are the perfect activity for children as young as 6 months old who are ready to learn and have fun! Learn how to sign colors, foods, feelings, animals and more. Perfect for infants up to age 6.
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Registration is required and opens on
Monday, April 27, at 10:00 a.m.
Drop-In Crafting
Thursdays at 3:30 p.m.
Grades K-5
May 14, 21, 28
Kids in grades K-5 are invited to join us for some no-rules creative crafting in the Wagner Room. There will be plenty of fun supplies and the only limit on what you can create is your own
imagination! This is a drop-in program and
no registration is required.
Sensory Resources and Programs at the Portland Library
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We are excited to announce the addition of nine sensory kits (3 adult, 6 child) available to patrons for use inside and outside of the library. Kits circulate for 21 days and must be returned to the Portland Library.
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Each kit contains:
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One weighted lap blanket
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One pair of headphones (child or adult)
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One pair of sunglasses (child or adult)
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Visual communication chart
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Fidget toys
This project is made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by Connecticut State Library.
Reading Lists
Not sure what to read next? Check out these book lists for some new ideas.
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Books for Animal Lovers in Grades 3-5
Character Counts: Picture Books about Kindness and Caring
Diary of a Wimpy Kid Readalikes
Historical Fiction for Children
Mysteries for Children
Ready for School
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Computers in the Children's Area
Early Literacy Computer Station Added
In September 2014, the Youth Services Department added an AWE Early Literacy Computer Station to its list of services. Stocked with more than 40 games that build skills in the areas of reading, words and phonics; science and nature; math and problem solving; reference; music and arts; writing and computer skills; and social studies and geography, this colorful touch-screen computer is great for kids between the ages of 2-8. Users may sign up at the children’s reference desk to use the computer.
Portland Library Computer Information
We have two computers with Internet access in the Children's Department that can be used by patrons under the age of 11. Only children or others accompanied by children are allowed to use these computers.
Please note the following when using the computers:
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Parents and guardians will have to sign a Public Computer Procedures form the first time their child uses a computer.
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If others are waiting, use is restricted to 30 minutes per user.
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There is filtering software on the computers in the Children's Department.
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Please, no eating or drinking at the computer.
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Our printing rates are as follows: Each user is allowed two free black and white pages. Additional pages are $.15 per page. Color copies are always $.50 per page.
Recommended Websites for Children:
ABCYa
BookFlix (Portland Library database subscription, requires library card number)
Scholastic Go! (Portland Library database subscription, requires library card number)
SwitchZoo
Homework Help
School Websites:
Brownstone Intermediate School
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General:
DK FindOut!: This secure search engine from published DK has information for young children on many different subjects.
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Math and Science:
HowStuffWorks.com: Learn how thousands of things work
NeoK-12: Fun videos and lessons on science subjects
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Social Studies:
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English and Spelling:
1000 Books Before Kindergarten
Raise a reader! 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten is a national reading initiative that encourages parents and caregivers to provide positive, nurturing early experiences by reading aloud daily to their children from birth to age five. Reading to children builds important vocabulary and language skills that are needed for kindergarten. We invite you to participate in this exciting, free program open to children birth to age five.
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How long will it take to read 1,000 books? This is a self-paced program that depends on how often you read together. Reading three books together a night—approximately 15 minutes—will mean you will have read 1,095 at the end of one year.
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Come into the library and pick up your 1,000 Books Before Kindergartenwelcome packet in the children’s department.
Thank you to the Friends of the Portland Library for funding this program.
Not able to come to the library but want to get started on your next reading journal? Print them out here!