LIBRARY HOURS
MON-THURS 10:00 - 8:00
FRIDAY 10:00 - 5:00
SATURDAY 10:00 - 3:00
Fall Storytimes
Fall storytimes will begin the week of September 9.
Registration is required and open on Monday, August 26 at 10:00 a.m.
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Preschool Storytimes (ages 3-5)
Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m.
September 10, 17, 24, October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Stories, songs and rhymes that encourage literacy and social skills and help get your preschooler
prepared for kindergarten. We will offer a craft each week that can be done at the library or brought home.
Toddlers and Tots Storytime (ages 0-2)
Wednesdays at 10:15 and 11:15 a.m.
September 11, 18, 25, October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Mother Goose on the Loose, a fun-filled interactive session for our youngest patrons, uses rhymes, a
story, songs, puppets, scarves, and more to stimulate the learning process of babies and toddlers.
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Late Fall Storytimes
Late fall storytimes will begin the week of November 12.
Registration is required and open on Monday, October 28 at 10:00 a.m.
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Preschool Storytimes (ages 3-5)
Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m.
November 12, 19, 26, December 3, 10
Stories, songs and rhymes that encourage literacy and social skills and help get your preschooler
prepared for kindergarten. We will offer a craft each week that can be done at the library or brought home.
Toddlers and Tots Storytime (ages 0-2)
Wednesdays at 10:15 and 11:15 a.m.
November 13, 20, 27, December 4, 11
Mother Goose on the Loose, a fun-filled interactive session for our youngest patrons, uses rhymes, a
story, songs, puppets, scarves, and more to stimulate the learning process of babies and toddlers.
Grossology
Grades K-2
October 3, 10, 24 at 3:30 p.m.
What is Grossology?
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It’s the study of all things gross! Join us as we
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· make some “poop”
· grow some germs
· bend bones
· Take on a jelly bean “Fear Factor” challenge!
Registration is required.
Fire Truck Storytime
Saturday, October 26 at 11:00 a.m.
on the Town Green
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October is Fire Safety Month! Join us for a short storytime on the Town Green followed by a visit from Portland firefighters and a fire truck!
No registration is required for this event.
Read to a Therapy Dog
Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
November 2, December 7
Devyn and Lucy from Middletown High School’s animal ambassador program are back for monthly visits this school year! Kids between the ages of 3 and 12 can make an appointment for a 15-minute session to read to Lucy. Register through our website at www.portlandlibraryct.org or by calling 860-342-6770.
BENEFITS:
Boosts Reading Confidence
Reduces Stress and Anxiety
Makes Reading Fun
Promotes Emotional
Connection and Comfort
Celebrate Di-November!
Tuesday, November 5
Celebrate DINOvember at the library on this day off from school! We’ll have
drop-in activities throughout the day, including a dino-themed scavenger hunt, a
dino craft and some photo ops with our life-size dino decorations!
Drop-In Crafternoons
Thursdays from 3:30—4:30 p.m.
November 7, 14, 21
Grades K-5
We’re cleaning out our craft closets! Drop in on Thursday afternoons in November and see what you can make with the items we have on hand.
Registration is NOT required for this program.
Family BINGO Night: Dinosaur Bingo
Tuesday, November 19 at 6:30 p.m.
Learn some dinosaur facts and win some dino-themed prizes in this Family Fun night! Registration is required and space is limited.
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November Half Day of School Programs
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Cute and Cuddlies
Monday, November 25 at 1:00 p.m.
Xen from Xen's Creatures will be at the library to teach us about a variety of cute and cuddly critters. Animals may include bunnies, guinea pigs, chicken, chinchilla, ferret, hedgehog, and a turtle. Xen will be on hand to answer all of your questions. This hands-on, educational program is for ages 5 & up. All children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Registration is required and space is limited.
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Squishmallow Painting
Tuesday, November 26 at 3:00 p.m.
Do you love Squishmallows? Come paint your own picture based on your favorite stuffed friend or custom design your own Squishmallow animal painting. Open to kids in grades K-5. Registration is required and space is limited.
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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!