Explore, read, sing, and play with your little ones - at the library and beyond.
1,000 Books Before Kindergarten
Unlock your child's potential with this reading challenge. For ages 0-5.
Kids Area
Inspire little ones to put thoughts into words, tell stories, share, and problem-solve with this ever-changing interactive play area.
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
Winter Reading Challenge
Dec 1st - Feb 28th | All day
Online Event
Challenge yourself to a winter of reading for a chance to earn prizes, December 1, 2024 - February 28, 2024.
Model Trains on Display (10am-5pm)
Dec 1st - Dec 14th | 10:00am - 5:00pm
Choo, choo! Train enthusiasts of all ages will love this display of electric model trains – some operated by hand & some by app. All ages.
Music in the Library (Sundays)
Dec 1st - Dec 15th | 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Relax with unique seasonal music performed by local artists (Sundays only). Dec. 1: Tiffany Jones Dec. 8: John Morgan Dec. 15: Gary Puckett
Visit with BalletMet (Ages 2-7)
Dec 7th | 10:00am - 10:30am
Learn about ballerinas & their training with a dance instructor from BalletMet. Stay for a chance to win 2 tickets to the Nutcracker!
Visit with a Snow Plow (Outside)
Dec 13th | 10:00am - 11:00am
Hanby Park
Explore a snow plow from Genoa Township. Ask questions and learn about the different parts of the truck. Ages 2-11. Note:…
Countdown to the New Year (Ages 0-7)
Dec 30th | 9:30am - 2:30pm
Ring in the new year with music, crafts, games & a visit from Bluey! Sessions start at 9:30am, 11:30am, & 1:30pm (sensory-friendly).
Martin Luther King Jr. (Free Learning Activity for Pickup)
Jan 2nd - Jan 19th | All day
Learn about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with activities from Seeds of Caring. Read about the history of MLK Day & discover social action idea
Balloon Mystery Magic Show | Erica Carlson
Jan 4th | 10:00am - 10:45am
Solve the mystery of Erica's missing balloons with her pet hedgehog as the prime suspect at this family-friendly, interactive magic show!
States of Matter: Science Show
Jan 11th | 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Learn how atoms come together to form different states of matter in this highly interactive science show with Whiz Bang Science. About the…
Daniel Tiger Storytime (Ages 0-5)
Jan 18th | 10:00am - 11:00am
Won't you be my neighbor? Read about Daniel Tiger's adventures, visit with friends from the Neighborhood of Make-Believe and share stories.
Tummy Time for Infants & Caregivers, part of a series
Jan 27th | 11:00am - 11:45am
Engage with your baby in a relaxing way to promote tummy time. Optimize strength, development, and feeding patterns.
Family Storytime: Library Love
Feb 1st | 10:00am - 10:30am
Celebrate Take Your Child to the Library Day with a special storytime featuring amazing stories and fun facts about your library.
Picture Frame Craft
Feb 4th | 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Create a fun heart-shaped photo frame made with puzzle pieces just in time for Valentine's Day. All supplies provided.
Wolves: Fact Vs Myth | Ohio Canid Center
Feb 8th | 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Learn about the history of wolves including family life, habitat, and diet. Stay to get an up close look at a live wolf ambassador.
Urban Strings Columbus: Youth Orchestra
Feb 9th | 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Listen to music from popular African American composers and arrangers, performed by Youth String Ensembles. About Urban StringsUrban…
Turtle & Rabbit Tales with Lyn Ford
Feb 15th | 10:00am - 10:45am
Become immersed in the “trickster critters” stories of Affrilachian oral tradition shared with humor and history. Performed by Lyn Ford.
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
Great Scott, the Wizards & Wands Festival is back again!
Sep 05, 2024
From life-sized Candyland to a bigger-on-the-inside TARDIS, this year's Wizards & Wands Festival takes fandom to a new level.
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.
Celebrate 20 Years of School Deliveries with Prize Drawings!
Students, teachers & staff - for every item you request for delivery, you'll receive one chance to win that month's prize drawing.
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.
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)
More Recommendations
Sensory Kit
Lessen sensory overload while at the library with this kit. Designed for all ages, though some items may fit better on kids.
Halloween for Kids (eBooks)
Explore the fun side of spooky season with this collection of ebooks for your little ones. For ages 1-12.
Inspiring Future Voters: A Booklist for Young Readers
These books help young people understand the importance of voting, civic engagement, and making their voices heard.
Back to School Reads
Get ready for the new year with these reads in a school setting.
Tonies Kits (includes Toniebox)
Listen to your favorite characters read stories & sing songs with this screen-free experience. Pickup location: Pick-up window only.
Magical Disney Stories: For Families
Celebrate the magic of Disney with these titles for kids and families.
Magical Creatures: For Ages 3-8
From mermaids to monsters, these magical picture books are sure to be filled with mystical adventure.
Magical First Chapter Books: For Ages 5-9
Dragons and mermaids and fairies, oh my! These spellbinding first chapter books will excite every reader.
Great Picks for Tots TV Time
Watch these great stories involving amazing characters that teach important lessons for your toddler (or anyone)!
Rhyming Books for Kids
Hickory dickory dock! These books will help kids learn about word families and begin to create a mental library of sounds.
Celebrate Disability Pride Month (For Kids & Families)
Celebrate Disability Pride Month with stories by some of our favorite disabled, chronically ill, Deaf, and neurodivergent writers.
Celebrate Juneteenth! For Kids and Families
Celebrate Juneteenth with stories about the history of the holiday and stories featuring Black joy.
Non-Violent Movies for Sensitive Kids
Movies for 3-12 year olds that include NO bag guys, NO weapons, and NO intent to kill or kidnap as main elements of the story.
Read Alouds: For Ages 4+
These are great chapter books to read aloud with the whole family!
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.