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.
Story Trails
Enjoy the fresh air, a stroll...and a story! This literacy adventure builds reading skills and creates memories. For all ages.
1,000 Books Before Kindergarten
Unlock your child's potential with this reading challenge. For ages 0-5.
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.
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…
Costume Swap: Accepting Donations
Aug 1st - Sep 15th | All day
Donate your new or gently used costumes and accessories for this free swap. Donations should be clean and in good condition.
Visit with a Live Rabbit!
Aug 5th - Aug 15th | All day
Visit with the library's temporary visitor - a small rabbit! Stop by the kids area to catch a glimpse of Jake eating, napping,…
Pint-Sized Paint Party (Ages 0-5)
Aug 30th | 10:00am - 11:00am
Explore taste-safe paint through free play. Creations can be taken home. Messy and clean options available.
Gymboree on the Go! (Ages 0-5), part of a series
Sep 8th | 11:00am - 11:30am
Play, learn, dance & grow with Gymboree teachers. Discover age-appropriate music, & movement activities, including parachute time & bubbles.
Costume Swap: Free Shopping Day
Sep 20th | 1:00pm - 5:00pm
Shop between 1-5pm for new & gently used costumes & accessories donated by community members. No cost and no donation required.
Donate to the Hobbit Pantry
Oct 1st - Oct 31st | All day
Whether you're preparing for second breakfast, elevenses, or afternoon tea, there's always room in the hobbit pantry for more food. Help…
Back to the Future: Scavenger Hunt in the Museum
Oct 1st - Oct 31st | 9:00am - 6:00pm
Great Scott! From the flux capacitor to a hoverboard, spot the Back to the Future "easter eggs" hidden within the museum's current…
Storybook Tales | Bright Star Theatre (Ages 2+)
Oct 4th | 10:00am - 10:45am
Delight in a live performance of Pinocchio and Hansel & Gretel starring comedy performers from Bright Star Theatre.
Reptile Show | Paul's Cool Scales
Oct 5th | 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Learn about reptiles and amphibians including Bumese pythons, lizards, tortoises, and more. Then get up close with a reptile and maybe…
Descendants Villainous Bash
Oct 6th | 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Celebrate the Descendants films with tunes and activities. Party with your favorite fairy-tale villains through trivia, BINGO, and crafts.
BINGO: Wizards & Wands Edition
Oct 9th | 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Play a few rounds of fantasy-themed BINGO. Prizes and fun for the whole family!
Paper Dragon Eggs (Ages 2-7)
Oct 11th | 9:30am - 2:00pm
Drop in to create your own magical paper dragon egg or choose from printed coloring sheets. All supplies provided. While supplies…
Life-Sized Candyland: Magical Forest Edition
Oct 11th | 10:00am - 2:00pm
Follow the rainbow path through a magical forest of sweet and fantastical surprises. Discover unicorns and dragons while earning sweet…
How to Train Your Dragon: Training Camp
Oct 12th | 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Become a dragon-riding Viking and celebrate the How to Train your Dragon film franchise. Make a Viking helmet and shield, complete a…
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
The Mailbox Plus (COMING SOON!)
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.
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, 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
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.
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.
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.
