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.
Story Trails
Enjoy the fresh air, a stroll...and a story! This literacy adventure builds reading skills and creates memories. For all ages.
Kids Area
Inspire little ones to put thoughts into words, tell stories, share, and problem-solve with this ever-changing interactive play area.
Featured Events
Turtle Island: Native American Heritage Month
Nov 1st - Nov 30th | All day
Read about different tribes' origin stories of Turtle Island - a name used by some Indigenous peoples of North America to refer to the…
Ohio Wildlife Center
Nov 15th | 10:00am - 11:00am
Meet animal ambassadors from Ohio Wildlife Center.
Family Games & Crafts: Fall Crafts
Nov 26th | 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Drop-in and enjoy games and autumn crafts for the whole family.
Model Trains on Display (10am-5pm)
Dec 1st - Dec 15th | All day
Choo, choo! Train enthusiasts of all ages will love this display of electric model trains – some operated by hand and some by an…
Cold Fudge: Take & Make
Dec 1st - Dec 30th | 9:00am - 6:00pm
Calling all aspiring chocolatiers and amateur bakers! Try your hand at a modernized mid-1900s recipe for cold fudge, a signature dish of…
Visit with a Snow Plow (Outside)
Dec 5th | 10:00am - 11:00am
Hanby Park
Explore a snow plow from Genoa Township. Ask questions about snow removal and learn about the different parts of the truck. Note:…
Visit with BalletMet
Dec 6th | 10:00am - 10:45am
Learn about ballerinas and their training routines with a dance instructor from BalletMet. Then listen to stories and complete a movement…
Family Craft with Ohio Craft Museum (Ages 4+)
Dec 12th | 10:00am - 11:00am
Work together to create a memorable craft to keep. Presented by representatives from the Ohio Craft Museum. All supplies…
Countdown to the New Year
Dec 29th | 9:30am - 10:15am
Ring in the new year with stories, activities, and a balloon-filled finale! Count down with a storytime, then dance the morning away at…
Early Literacy Bingo (Ages 2-5)
Jan 9th | 10:00am - 10:45am
Practice recognizing and identifying early literacy concepts like shapes, letters, numbers, and colors through the fun of Bingo!
Storytime: The Music of Laurie Berkner
Jan 24th | 10:00am - 10:30am
Stomp like dinosaurs and swim like goldfish! Sing and dance along to the music and magic of Laurie Berkner.
Pinecone Bird Feeder Craft
Jan 30th | 10:00am - 11:00am
Help feed the birds this winter by making a bird feeder out of a pinecone. All supplies provided. While supplies last!
Straw Rockets: Black History in Space
Feb 1st - Feb 28th | All day
Learn about Black pioneers of space history and make a straw rocket. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 & BLAST OFF!
Periodic Table of Black History
Feb 1st - Feb 28th | All day
Learn about Black Americans by exploring the Periodic Table of Black History. Complete matching activities and pick up a take-home packet!
Glow-in-the-Dark Family Yoga (Ages 4-11)
Feb 1st | 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Stretch, meditate, and find a hobby for your mind and body with glow sticks! Presented by Balanced Child. Ages 4-7 must have supervision!
Urban Strings Columbus: Youth Orchestra
Feb 7th | 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Listen to music from popular African American composers and arrangers, performed by Youth String Ensembles!
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
Sustainable Play: Make a Book About Me (Online Class)
Create a personalized journal packed with guided prompts to help children fill the pages with their own words and drawings.
The Mailbox Plus
Teachers, get 54,000+ ideas and worksheets that teach essential skills and take the stress out of lesson planning. For grades PreK-6.
Williams Grill: 1887-1975
Examine nearly a century of innovation and social change through the lens of this beloved Westerville restaurant.
Wizards & Wands Festival (October 1-31, 2025)
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.
Educate Station
Take the guesswork out of teaching kids at home with worksheets and learning plans. For grades PreK-5.
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.
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
Social Emotional Learning Picture Books
Books connected to social-emotional learning or skills such as managing emotions, building relationships, and making responsible decisions.
Magical Creatures: For Ages 3-8
From mermaids to monsters, these magical picture books are sure to be filled with mystical adventure.
Back to School: Kindergarten (Digital Collection)
Find the perfect content for your student & get ready for Back to School season with these popular, fun & educational titles on Hoopla!
Learning Kits
Encourage curiosity with math, science, and literacy topics. Great for kids with learning differences. Designed for ages 0-8.
It's a bird, it's a plane...
Celebrate the Superman release with books about the Man of Steel, with books and movies that cover all ages.
eBooks for Kids (with Libby!)
Download or stream ebooks and audiobooks for kids - anywhere, anytime, and for free!
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.
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.
