LIBRARY HOURS
MON-THURS 10:00 - 8:00
FRIDAY 10:00 - 5:00
SATURDAY 10:00 - 3:00
Drop-In Playdates and Parachute Play
Storytimes ended at the end of April, but we will continue to offer some drop-in programs during the month of May. No registration is required for these programs, which are geared for kids between the ages of 0-5.
Drop-in Playdates
Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m.
May 8, 15, 22, 29
Parachute Play
Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m.
May 14, 28
Read with a Therapy Animal
Saturday, May 4 and June 1
10:30am - 12pm
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We are pleased to announce a partnership with Middletown High
School’s animal ambassador program. Each month, we will be
hosting a therapy animal at the library. Kids between the ages of
3 and 12 can make an appointment for a 15-minute session to
read to an animal buddy.
Reservations are required and space is limited.
Spring Into Garden Crafting!
Thursdays at 3:30 p.m.
May 9, 16, 23
Grades K-5
Join us for three weeks of spring-themed garden crafts! Register for one or all of the programs listed below.
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May 9: Design a paper bouquet for a mom or other special someone!
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May 16: Craft a custom sprout house from sponges and then watch your microgreens grow!
(Held in partnership with Fire Ring Farms)
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May 23: Design your own fairy house and landscape.
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Registration is required FOR EACH EVENT and space is limited.
May the Fourth Be With You: Paint Your Own 3D Figure
Join us between 1:00-2:30 p.m. to paint a Star Wars™-inspired character!
Open to kids in grades 2-6.
Registration is required and space is limited!
Family Craft Night:
Bean Planting and Clay Pot Painting
Thursday, May 30 at 6:30 p.m.
Come start your own bean plant from seed and paint a pot to house your bean once it begins to sprout.
This project is being offered in conjunction with the One Seed, One Community Project, which encourages community members to learn about gardening by each growing the same type of native plants.
Beans and planting materials have been generously donated by Fire Ring Farms.
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!