The Children's Department in St. Tammany Parish libraries caters to children of all ages, from birth to 12 years old, and is divided into stages to better tailor books, reading programs, activities and other resources available.
For those who doubt, just bring young toddlers to some of the Storytime events that take place in all branches, and watch what happens.
There is something to keep every child engaged an early age.
Children ages 0 to 5 years old and their parents can attend Creative Storytime rhymes, songs, and a book reading with staff librarians. These events are a perfect starting point for children enrolled in the "1,000 Books Before Kindergarten" reading challenge. All reading counts, including Storytime.
And for the youngest set, children up to 3 years of age, with their parents, can attend Play Date, a hands-on, interactive playtime focused on early literacy.
For children aged 3 to 5, Play Dough and Lego Time events provide a creative outlet with dough and building blocks based on weekly themes.
Unlike Storytime and younger children's events that take place in the morning hours, Kids Club occurs in the afternoon for children ages 6 to 12. These events are great for school-aged children who would enjoy more advanced crafting and technical projects. Some of the programs include Weaving with Looms, Clay Monsters and Animals, Spirographs, Snap Circuits, and Fall Perler Beads.
Book Buddies, is a new program started this fall at the library, pairs kids in grades K-5 can pair up with a trained teen volunteer to practice reading aloud in 15-minute blocks. This drop-in event does not require registration and is scheduled from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. every Thursday at the Covington branch. This month, teens from Archbishop Hannan High School are volunteering their time to assist growing readers.
Registration requirements vary by program, and interested patrons should visit sttammanylibrary.org/kids or the library's events page at sttamamnylibrary.org/events to learn more and register if needed.
Fall concerts
The Friends of the Slidell Library's Fall Concert Series finishes up with two indoor concerts this month. The first is Jupiter Flood on Oct. 15 at the South Slidell branch, followed by Roman Street on Oct. 29 at the Slidell branch. Both concerts from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. will be held in the branch meeting rooms. Prior registration is requested to ensure all attendees will have seating. Learn more at sttammanylibrary.org/concerts.
Friends' sales
Friends groups on the east and west sides of the parish will hold their used book sales on the same weekend this month.
The Friends of the Library of West St. Tammany has its sale scheduled on Oct. 17 and Oct. 18, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, at their 1301 N. Florida St. building in Covington, near the St. Tammany Parish Fairgrounds.
The Friends of the Slidell Library will host theirs in the Slidell Library meeting room. On Oct. 17, it is the sale for members only from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and, as always, new memberships or renewals will be available at the door for $5 per person or $8 per family. The public sale the following is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Other Events
MUSEUMS: The Lacombe branch will host an "Armchair Travel" presentation on self-portraits and art museums from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 15. This event is free and open to all ages; registration is required at http://bit.ly/4o8FQST.
MEDITATE: Patrons can learn about guided meditation and mindfulness practice for all levels with Alice Landry from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Oct. 16 at the Madisonville branch. This event is designed to help participants reduce stress and increase focus; attendees are encouraged to bring their own mats or blankets. Register at https://bit.ly/3ILuRzT.
FELTING: Kids ages 6 to 12 can create a felt and fuzzy masterpiece at the Lacombe branch from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Oct. 16. No registration needed.