Explore, read, sing, and play with your little ones - at the library and beyond.
Kids Area
Inspire little ones to put thoughts into words, tell stories, share, and problem-solve with this ever-changing interactive play area.
1,000 Books Before Kindergarten
Unlock your child's potential with this reading challenge. For ages 0-5.
Story Trails
Enjoy the fresh air, a stroll...and a story! This literacy adventure builds reading skills and creates memories. For all ages.
Featured Events
Summer Reading Challenge
May 23rd - Jul 31st | All day
Challenge yourself to a summer of reading for a chance to earn prizes, May 23-July 31.
Lilo & Stitch Party
May 29th | 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Celebrate Experiment 626 and the Lilo & Stitch movie release with crafts and games for the whole family.
Indoor Carnival Games
May 30th | 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Play simple, indoor carnival games to earn tickets for prizes.
Bluey Party
Jun 2nd | 10:00am - 1:00pm
For real life! Celebrate the one-and-only Bluey. Show off your best Dance Mode, be sure to get a photo with both Bluey & Bingo!
Bubble Party at the Park (Outside), part of a series
Dance in a swarm of bubbles while visiting with your favorite librarians. Siblings welcome. Location: Hanby…
Magic Show with The Alans
Jun 10th | 2:00pm - 2:45pm
Enjoy a highly-interactive magic show full of imaginative props, humor, and, of course, amazing magic. Presented by Jason and Stacy Alan.
Stroller Stride (Outside)
Jun 13th | 10:00am - 11:00am
Hanby Park
Connect with other caregivers while completing a workout focused on strength, cardio & core training while engaging with little ones.
Dinosaur Encounter | Dino Buddies
Jun 14th | 10:00am - 12:00pm
Explore the prehistoric world like never before with Dino Buddies. Encounter real dinosaur fossils alongside giant, lifelike, puppets.
Women in History: Meet Elizabeth Cady Stanton
Jun 15th | 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Meet Elizabeth Cady Stanton, the First President of the National Women's Suffrage Association who paved the way for women's right to vote.
All About Buckeye Trees (Ages 2-7)
Jun 18th | 1:00pm - 1:45pm
Learn about Ohio's state tree, the buckeye, and native fruit, the pawpaw. Get up close with plant artifacts & activity stations.
Adventure of the Missing Color: Science Show (Ages 4-11)
Jun 22nd | 2:00pm - 2:45pm
Search for the missing color - and discover some exciting challenges along the way! Explore colors, light patterns, and more!
Mysteries & Marvels: Comedy Juggling
Jun 25th | 2:00pm - 2:45pm
Watch the extraordinary juggling tricks and comedy of entertainer Tony Sweetland.
Visit with a Fire Truck (Outside)
Jun 27th | 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Hanby Park
Explore a fire truck from the Westerville Division of Fire. Ask questions about fire safety and learn about different parts of the truck.
Williams Grill: Ice Cream Social
Jun 27th | 6:00pm - 8:30pm
Enjoy family-friendly activities, view the new museum exhibit & eat ice cream as we look back on this historic restaurant scene.
Bug Box | OSU Entomology
Jul 1st | 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Learn all about creepy-crawly critters through trivia, crafts, and live bugs from Ohio State University's Insectary.
Paw Patrol Storytime
Jul 5th | 10:00am - 10:45am
Save the day with your favorite furry friends! Listen to a PAW Patrol story, dance along to your favorite theme song, & complete activities.
In the Kids Area
Play Area
Inspire little ones to put thoughts into words, tell stories, share, and problem-solve with this ever-changing interactive play area.
Building Table
Enjoy hours of open-ended play with this station full of building blocks.
Mirror Door
Look into a distorting mirror that bends and twists your reflection!
Board Games for Families (In-Library Use Only)
Play a game while you're at the library! A rotating collection of board games is available in the children's area.
Interactive Projector
Wave your hands over it and watch as the image changes. You never know what it might do next, so revisit often for a new adventure.
Light Table
Experience a calming glow and stretch your attention span during play time.
Treehouse in the Kids Area
Make a new friend or enjoy a cozy reading nook in this interactive treehouse.
Peg Bright Wall
Explore limitless possibilities and encourage imagination with this giant light wall.
Services & Amenities
Williams Grill: 1887-1975 (Opens June 2, 2025)
Examine nearly a century of innovation and social change through the lens of this beloved Westerville restaurant.
Summer Reading Challenge
Challenge yourself to a summer of reading for a chance to earn prizes, May 23-July 31.
Wizards & Wands Festival (October 1-31, 2024)
Experience the spellbinding magic of your library. A month of otherworldly adventure awaits you.
Magic Wands (Online Class)
This is a simple and imaginative project, and the wands can be made and decorated in any style.
ASL Stories Directory (DeafChildren.org)
ASL Stories Directory offers hundreds of free videos of your favorite books. Reading & signing helps promote essential literacy skills.
Coloring Pages
Print out a coloring page. These pages commemorate special holidays, heroes & awareness months! They can be a quiet entry into creativity.
Little Artists: A Course for Parent and Child (Online Class)
Make an art box that your kids can have regular access to and learn how to be flexible and receptive to your child's unique process.
Sew Animal Placemats (Online Class)
Make meal times more fun for your little ones with these animal-themed placemats.
Sustainable Play: Make a Dollhouse Cafe (Online Class)
Suzy Ultman shows you how to transform an ordinary cardboard box into an extraordinarily cute dollhouse cafe.
Read & listen to a picture book...with sign language!
Watch free videos of ASL retellings of books for kids. Reading and signing stories together promotes essential literacy skills for all kids.
Puzzle & Game Swap (Take Home)
Take a puzzle or a board game. Leave one. No need to return what you borrow. (Located on the 2nd floor. No missing pieces, please.)
Storytime at Home
Bring storytime to your family room with these songs, activities, and more from your favorite librarians!
Little Free Libraries
No library card required. No fines. No need to return. Take a book, leave a book. These tiny libraries offer a free reading experience.
Fairy Tales, Folklore & More
From Mother Goose to the Brothers Grimm, find your favorite stories and characters from classic fairy tales, fables, myths, and legends.
Beginning Readers: Getting Started
Beginning Readers: Guided Reading Levels A - D (0 - 150 L)
Kindergarten Favorite Books
Some of our favorite picture books and non-fiction books for kindergarteners.
Toddler Favorite Books
Try adding some of these titles to your toddler's rotation of favorites. You might find something new!
Beginning Readers: Getting Started
Beginning Readers: Guided Reading Levels A - D (0 - 150 L)
Kindergarten Favorite Books
Some of our favorite picture books and non-fiction books for kindergarteners.
Toddler Favorite Books
Try adding some of these titles to your toddler's rotation of favorites. You might find something new!
More Recommendations
Beginning Readers: Getting Started
Beginning Readers: Guided Reading Levels A - D (0 - 150 L)
Kindergarten Favorite Books
Some of our favorite picture books and non-fiction books for kindergarteners.
Toddler Favorite Books
Try adding some of these titles to your toddler's rotation of favorites. You might find something new!
Story Trails: Featured Books in 2025
Check out what titles are coming to a story trail near you, or reread a past favorite.
Picture Books That Rhyme
Rhyming is so much fun, but it is also a great way to teach children how to read.
Blueberry Awards 2024
Check out the best nature and climate change books for kids 3 - 10+ from 2024.
Stonewall Book Awards
A group of awards presented for books of "exceptional merit relating to the gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender experience."
Theodor Seuss Geisel Award
Awarded annually in the U.S. to the author and illustrator of the most distinguished contribution to beginning reader books.
Sydney Taylor Book Award
Presented since 1968 to outstanding books for children and teens that authentically portray the Jewish experience.
Asian/Pacific American Awards for Literature
This award honors books about Asian/Pacific Americans, their history and culture.
Pura Belpre Medal
Awarded to a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator for a work of children’s literature that best celebrates the Latino cultural experience.
Schneider Family Book Award
A group of awards presented to the creators of books for children and teens with an artistic expression of the disability experience.
Coretta Scott King Award
Awarded to authors and illustrators of books for children and young adults that demonstrate an appreciation of African-American culture.
Library Love
Inspired by book, grandparents build skyscraper in backyard.
Maria and David's 3-year-old grandson came up with the idea to build a skyscraper after reading Up! Up! Up! Skyscraper together.
Kristen C.
When she’s not working with kids here at the library, you might find her on the bike trail or baking up a sweet treat.
Ashleigh M.
Ashleigh loves to see people grow and become their best selves here at the library.
Annamarie C
Annamarie loves all things Disney! When she's not planning her next storytime, she's likely traveling or volunteering at the Columbus Zoo.
Katie R.
Katie knows all of the tricks to start your baby on the path to lifelong reading.
Kristen C.
When she’s not working with kids here at the library, you might find her on the bike trail or baking up a sweet treat.
Ashleigh M.
Ashleigh loves to see people grow and become their best selves here at the library.
Annamarie C
Annamarie loves all things Disney! When she's not planning her next storytime, she's likely traveling or volunteering at the Columbus Zoo.
Katie R.
Katie knows all of the tricks to start your baby on the path to lifelong reading.
