The Children's Department maintains the children's collections and programs at the Monticello-UnionTownship Public Library. Throughout the year, programs and activities are offered that are educational and entertaining. We are a community partner in supporting children's early language and literacy development.

Programs

Certain ongoing programs are offered all year round. Please check our calendar to confirm dates and times.

• Lego League: Join our LEGO League for families of all ages. . Kids can build and display LEGO creations and we will put them in our display case for the week.We provide the LEGOs; you supply the creativity! Lego League is held on Mondays from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
• S.T.E.M. Club: The Club meets every Tuesday before the 2nd Saturday of the month from 3 to 4:30 p.m. and every second Saturday of the month from 10 to 12 p.m. Kids are free to explore and invent on their own. We have LittleBits, Dot & Dash Robots, Bloxels and Cardboard Tool Box. For the Littles we have a Code-a-Pillar and Duplo Blocks on the story time rug. We provide lots of cardboard, tape, pom-poms! The kids just need to provide their imaginations.
  • June 6, July 11. August 8, September 5, October 10, November 7 & December 5 @ 3 pm. June 10 @ 2 pm, July 8, August, 12, September 9, October 14, November 11 & December 9 @ 10 am 
• Children's Arts and Crafts: Children of all ages can join us on the first Saturday of each month at 11 a.m. to create a craft. Check to see if registration is required, as some crafts feature limited supplies.
  •  June 3. - August 5 - September 2 - October 7 - November 4 - December 2
• Pop Up Craft Days! - Sometimes we have extra craft supplies and projects that we will throw our on our tables for the kids to use in whatever art they want. Watch our social media for dates and times!
• Take It Make It - Check at the Children's Circulation Desk for our current Take it Make it. During school breaks such as Fall Break, Christmas & Spring Break, we usually have several that the kids can pick up.
• Library Scavenger Hunts - Who know what you can find and learn with one of our Children's Room Scavenger Hunts. From learning another language, I Spy or fun animal facts, there is lots of fun and a prize from our treasure book at the end.

Story Time - Summer Edition

Enjoy stories, finger plays, music and activities in a family-friendly, positive environment. Early literacy programs are geared for children and adult partnership. This is also a great way to get your child familiar with other children socially and help improve skills through reading, talking, playing, singing and writing.

• TOT Story Time - Thursdays @ 10 
  • June 8,15, 22, 29, July 6, 13, 
• Stories in the Garden - Join us under the trees on the south lawn for some fun books.
  • June 14 @ 10 am
  • June 21 @ 5:30 pm    
• Stories @ the Park  - Join Mr. Duffers at Bluestem Nature Park, (802 S. Main St.) for some fun stories from nature and check out the park's new nature center
  • June 23 @ 9:30 am
• Dog Days of Summer - Join Miss Tammy on the Patio for some messy educational fun and stories!  Mr.  Duffers will be there to join in the shenanigans.  We will be make Oobleck, playing in sand and in water! 
  • August 16, 23, 30 at 10 am

Upcoming Events

All Age Kids

• May 30- August 29th - 5-7 POP Club @ the Farmer's Market
• May 30th - Summer Reading Sign Up Starts
• June 1st - Summer Reading Kick Off 5-7
• Garden Club - Tuesdays @10 am in June & July
• June 9-10 - Stuffed Animal Sleep-Over & Breakfast!
• June 23 - Make a Pet Rock 2 pm
• July 7 - Make a Friendship Bracelet - 10 am
• July 14 - Way Back Groovy Party - 1-3 pm

L2M Club Toddlers - 2- 4 years of age

Mondays @ 10 am

• Pet Rocks - June 5th
• Tiger Puppet - June 12th
• Hand Tree Picture - June 19th
• Finger Painting - June 26th
• Bracelets - July 3rd
• Plastic Zoo Animals - July 10th

L2M Club for Kids (5 yrs. - 2nd grade)

Wednesdays @ 3 pm

• Smiley Face Perler Bead Pin - June 7th
• Glow in the Dark Flower Pot - June 14th
• Sock Puppet Animal - June 21st
• Butter String Art - June 28th
• Decoupage Plaque - July 5th
• Rainbow Suncatcher & Windchime - July 12th

L2M Club for Tweens (3rd - 6th grade)

Thursdays  @ 3 pm

• Coin Purse - June 8
• Boho Bag - June 15
• Striped Puppet - June 22
• Butterfly String Art - June 29
• Embroidery - July 6
• Yo-Yo Quilt Patch Pin - June 30 10 am (Friday)

L2Game Club for Kids (Kids k-5th Grade)

• Chinese Jump Rope & Hand Jives - June 13 @ 2 pm
• Jacks - June 16th @ 10 am
• Yo-Yos - June 20 @ 2 pm
• Cat's Cradle & Statue Tag - June 27 @ 2 pm
• Kick the Can & Glow in the Dark Frisbees - July 5 @ 5:30
• Double Dutch/Jump Rope - July 13 @  3 pm

1,000 Books Before Kindergarten

The Monticello-Union Township Public Library is pleased to present 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten, an early literacy reading book club at the library. This program encourages parents/adults to read to children from birth to age 5. Studies have shown that if you read 1,000 books to a child before school, it will mentally prepare them for school. FUN FACT! You don't have to read 1,000 different books in fact the studies show that it is the interaction between you, them and the books that makes the difference. So count that favorite bedtime book with a ditto!

For every 100 books read, kids will recieve a small prize and a keychain charm. If interested, please stop by the children's department to get a reading log. Then check out some books and start working your way to 1,000!

For more information, contact the Children's Department at 574-583-2665 ext. 3313 or email