Children & Youth Services
Overview
The Youth Services Department, comprised of the Children’s Room and Young Adult area, serves young people from birth through high school, as well as parents/caregivers, college students, daycare providers, and teachers. We offer a variety of programs throughout the year, including Read to a Dog, storytime, Craft of the Month, the Summer Reading Program, Book Bingo, and tours.
The Youth Services collection includes picture books, chapter books, fiction/nonfiction, audiobooks on cd, stuffed animals, puppets, magazines, DVDs, and music cds.
Of course, we have much more to offer than books! Our aim is to create a happy, inviting atmosphere that inspires creativity, learning, and growth. Children especially enjoy this space for its puzzles, giant checker boards, animal chairs, and Storyboat.
General Information
eBooks & Audiobooks
Download eBooks and borrow audiobooks electronically using your library card with Wisconsin Public Library Consortium's Overdrive for Kids. This resource offers a wide selection of materials, including picture books, beginning readers, graphic novels, and nonfiction.
Internet
The Children’s Room and Young Adult area are each equipped with four computers, which may be used for Internet access, games, or word processing.
Library Cards
Children ages 0 and older are able to get a library card, and if they live in the state of Wisconsin, it’s free!
School Visits and Tours
We currently offer tours of the library, as well as tours of Carl Gawboy’s murals. School groups and daycares (minimum 8-10 people) are encouraged to set up a tour in advance by calling children’s librarian Kelly Wiisanen at 715-394-8867.
Storytime
Storytimes are created to capture the interest levels of children ages 0-6, but all are welcome to attend.
Storytime takes place Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. Each storytime includes songs, stories, and a craft and no registration is necessary.
Websites for Kids
Books & Stories
Children’s Literature Awards – Links to information about ALSC's literary awards, such as the Newbery, Caldecott, Sibert, and Wilder.
International Children’s Digital Library - Free digital books that can be found searching by age, genre, book length, or even the color of a book's cover.
PBS Parent Bookfinder - A great resource for parents and librarians looking to match the right book with the right reader. Search by age level, theme, keyword, and more.
Fun & Games
Fisher Price Online Games – Easy, educational games for stages infancy-preschool.
Nick – Videos and games, featuring Nickelodeon characters, like Spongebob, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Winx Club.
Nick Jr. – Videos, games, and printable activities for preschoolers, featuring Nick Jr. characters.
PBS Kids – Features fun, educational games, with all of your favorite PBS characters, like The Cat in the Hat, Thomas the Tank Engine, Curious George, and Arthur.
Sesame Street – Games, videos, and coloring sheets with Big Bird and the gang.