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.
Read to a Therapy Dog
Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Saturday, June 7
Devyn and Lucy from Middletown High School’s animal ambassador program only have a few more monthly visits this school year! Kids between the ages of 3 and 12 can make an appointment for a 15-minute session to read to Lucy. Register through our website at www.portlandlibraryct.org or by calling 860-342-6770.
BENEFITS:
Boosts Reading Confidence
Reduces Stress and Anxiety
Makes Reading Fun
Promotes Emotional
Connection and Comfort
Summer Reading 2025:
Level Up at Your Library
June 17 - August 28
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Visit the library on or after June 17 to pick up your reading log, or visit the Summer Reading portal on our website to track your reading electronically. Each day you read 20 minutes or more counts towards your summer reading goal. Earn prizes each time you reach 5 days.
Summer Reading Kickoff: Illusionist David Garrity
Wednesday, June 25
at 6:30 p.m.
Portland Middle School Auditorium
Family friendly illusion spectacular featuring amazing tricks, audience participation and comedy! Registration requested, but not required.
Summer Storytimes
Mondays at 10:30 a.m.
June 23, July 7, 14, 31, 28, August 4​​
Stories, songs, rhymes and a craft project each week.
Registration is required and begins on Monday, June 2 at 10:00 a.m.
Beyond the Board (Game)
Going into grades K-2
Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m.
June 25, July 9, 16, 23, 30, August 6​​
Join Ms. Patty for weekly games, crafts, cooking and other activities that go beyond the game! Weekly themes include Minecraft, Candy Land, Pokemon, Go Fish, Olympic Games and Angry Birds.
Registration is required and begins on Monday, June 2 at 10:00 a.m.
Next Level Gaming
Going into grades 3-5
Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m.
June 24, July 8, 15, 22, 29, August 5​​
Activities inspired by some of our favorite games followed by life-size versions of each game! Weekly themes include Twister, Hungry Hippos, Clue, Pokemon, and Mario Kart.
Registration is required and begins on Monday, June 2 at 10:00 a.m.
Wednesday Night Family Activities
Join us for these FREE family shows and activities on select Wednesday evenings throughout the summer! Call 860-342-6770 or visit www.portlandlibraryct.org to register and get updated times and locations.
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July 9 @ 6:30 p.m.: Reptiles Rock
Meet some reptiles from around the world in this interactive presentation, featuring bugs, frogs, snakes, tortoises and an American alligator. Registration is required.
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July 16 from 5-8 p.m.: Life-Size Candyland
Get a team together and travel through all of the candy worlds in the library, earning treats as you make your way to Candy Castle. No registration required: spinners given out on a first come, first served basis.
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July 23 from 5-8 p.m.: Mini Golf in the Library
Stop into the children’s department and play 9 holes of book-themed mini golf designed by our teen volunteers. Cosponsored by Chris Cote’s Golf Shop. No registration is required; putters given out on a first come, first served basis.
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July 30 @ 6:30 p.m.: Dinosaurs Rock
Touch museum-quality fossils and other prehistoric specimens, then dig for your own genuine fossil to take home! Ages 5-12. Registration is required.
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Aug 6 @ 6:30 p.m.: Stuffed Animal Sleepover
Bring a stuffed friend to the library and let them stay for a sleepover. Pick them up the next morning and find out what antics they got up to! Registration is required.
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Registration for summer programs begins on Monday, June 2 at 10:00 a.m.
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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:
Social Studies Games: for younger children
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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!