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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Winter Reading is AFOOT!
Friday, January 2—Saturday, February 28
Portland Library’s Winter Reading Challenge is back with
a mystery-based theme!
Visit the library on or after January 2 and you’ll find a series
of challenges designed to help you strengthen your detective skills.
Register with us to become an official detective and we’ll add your badge to the front of our children’s reference desk. Check out the bulletin board each time you visit to see what mysteries are in need of solving; each week, a new mystery to solve or challenge to undertake will be revealed. Complete the challenge and update your badge. If you complete at least three of the six challenges, you’ll receive a small prize.
We’ll also be offering a number of mystery-related programs in the winter months.
SAVE THE DATE:
January 24: Jigsaw Puzzle Competition
February 7: Take Your Child to the Library Day/ Bubble Poppin’ Boogie!
February 13: Children’s Museum of West Hartford presents Crimelab! (grades 2-8)
February 17: Snow Day at the Portland Library
Family Craft Night:
Yarn Snowmen
Monday, January 12 at 6:30 p.m.
Create your own unique snowmen using Styrofoam balls, yarn, and a variety of decorative accessories.
This activity has steps that are appropriate for all ages, but a parent or guardian must be with children to help with supervision.
Registration is required and opens on Monday, January 5 at 10:00 a.m. Space is limited.
Write Like a Founding Father
Thursdays at 3:30 p.m.
January 15, 22, 29
Grades 3-7
Do you wish you could write like our ancestors that signed the Declaration of Independence? Join us for a three-week program to learn cursive.
This program is designed to teach the basics of
cursive writing, including forming letters and
connecting them to make words. We’ll provide take-home practice sheets each week and end the
program with a craft to bring home.
Registration is required and opens on Monday, January 5, at 10:00 a.m.
Jigsaw Puzzle Competition
Saturday, January 24
10:30 a.m.—12:00 p.m.
Calling all puzzle fans! We’re looking for teams of
2-4 people to compete in our third annual Jigsaw
Puzzle competition! How fast can you solve a 500-piece puzzle? Team up with friends and family and reserve your spot in this relaxed morning event.
Registration is limited to seven teams. Coffee, tea and hot cocoa will be available.
Registration opens on Monday, January 5
at 10:00 a.m. Space is limited to 7 teams
so register early.
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!