LIBRARY HOURS
MON-THURS 10:00 - 8:00
FRIDAY 10:00 - 5:00
SATURDAY 10:00 - 3:00
2024 Summer Reading Program for Families and Children:
Adventure Begins at Your Library
How It Works
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Visit the library to pick up a reading log and start logging the minutes you read on or after June 17. Each day you read 20 minutes or more counts towards your
summer reading goal. Earn bracelet charms each time you reach 5 days and
additional prizes each time you read 15 days. Logging can be done through the ReadSquared portal on our library website, or you can pick up a lined journal or a coloring sheet to log your minutes if you prefer.
Registration for all programs begins on Monday, June 3, at 10:00 a.m.
Weekly Programs for Kids
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Storytime Adventures
Mondays at 10:30 a.m., June 24, July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29.
Join us in our Mary Flood Room to enjoy stories, rhymes and songs. A craft project will be offered at the end of the program.
Summer Adventure Club
Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m., June 26, July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
For students going into Grades K-2
Join us for six weeks of summer adventures in building, the great outdoors, cooking, circus activities, crafting and Olympic games.
League of Adventurers
Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m.
June 25, July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
For students going into Grades 3-5
Join us for a new adventure each week, from traveling the Oregon trail, to participating in the Greek Olympics, to solving an ancient Egyptian mystery.
Thank you to the Friends of the Portland Library for sponsoring all of our
Summer Programs for Children and Families.
Wednesday Night Family Shows
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Portland Library will host FREE family shows at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays throughout the summer! Shows will be held either indoors at the library or on the Town Green by the gazebo adjacent to the library parking lot; call 860-342-6770 or visit our website to register and get updated times and locations. Outdoor shows are open to all; in case of inclement weather, we will move indoors and only those on the registration list will be allowed due to room capacities. For that reason, registration is encouraged and begins on Monday, June 3 at 10:00 a.m.
June 26: The Poop Museum
Fast-paced and highly interactive, The Poop Museum
is the perfect combination of fun, fascinating facts, so that kids (and parents) never forget what they learned.
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July 10: Malik Comedy Magic
Malik’s show focuses on adventures and exploration and is packed with visual magic, juggling, comedy and tons of audience participation.
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July 17: Flash Mob Circus!
This program is part show, part tutorial. After a short demonstration, you can practice a variety of circus tricks on your own.
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July 24: Turtle Dance Music
Turtle Dance Music’s mission is to coax kids out of their shells through dancing, moving, singing, laughing, learning, and connecting with each other.
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July 31: Stuffed Animal Sleepover
Leave your favorite stuffed animal at the library after a special storytime and then pick them up the next day to hear about their adventures!
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August Activities
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Chalk the Walks
Tuesday, August 13 at 10:30 a.m.
Come decorate the library sidewalks with images and messages of kindness! Chalk and popsicles will be supplied. Registration is not required for this drop-in event.
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Parachutes and Picnic
Tuesday, August 20 at 10:30 a.m.
Come enjoy some parachute play with Ms. Jenn and Ms. Patty on the Town Green. Bring a blanket and a picnic or snack to enjoy after our playtime. This event is weather-dependent and no registration is required.
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School Supply BINGO
Thursday, August 22 at 10:30 a.m.
\Join us for a fun morning of BINGO at the library and win some school supplies! Registration is required and space is limited.
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
Summer 2024 Programs
Caregiver Community of Practice: A Safe Space for Caregivers of Neurodivergent Youngsters in the Portland Community to Gather Together
This summer, Portland Library welcomes parents and caregivers to join their peers for two facilitated conversations about caring for neurodivergent children. We welcome all caregivers to join, whether your child has an official Autism diagnosis or you've merely been wondering about their sensory responses. We will simultaneously offer a session for your children, ages 2-6, to participate in structured activities. Our intention is for you to be able to share and receive support in a non-judgmental space.
Indoor Session
Thursday, July 11 at 10:30 a.m.
Soft, starry lighting and a climb-in rocketship are some of the highlights of this solar-system themed program. Ms. Jenn and Ms. Patty will be on hand to help kids make planet pantings with balloons or sensory bags featuring glittery stars.
Outdoor Session
Thursday, August 1 at 10:30 a.m.
Enjoy some outdoor play with chalk, water and bubbles in this session held in the library courtyard.
Turtle Dance Music
Wednesday, July 24 at 6:30 p.m.
Turtle Dance Music helps kids come out of their shells through dancing, moving, singing, laughing, learning, and connecting with each other through the magic of music. This show is accessible to those on the autism spectrum and those with sensory and developmental issues. Registration is required for this event. This event will be held on the Town Green; in the case of inclement weather, it will be moved inside the library to the Mary Flood Room and only those on the registration list will be allowed due to room capacities. For that reason, registration is encouraged.
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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!