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Ethelbert B. Crawford Public Library Children’s Services

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Summer Reading Program 2026: Unearth A Story!

Join us for another summer of fun at the library! Our annual Summer Reading Program will run from July 6th through August 15th. You can register online from July 6th through July 24th. Once you’ve registered, visit the Children’s Desk in the library to pick up your registration packet and get your reading team assignment.

In addition to earning personal prizes, your total minutes read will also count towards your Dino Team total. The team with the most minutes read by August 15th will earn an Ice Cream Social!

Prizes will be earned at stages: registration, 600 minutes read, 1200 minutes read, and 1800 minutes read. Bring your reading log every time you come to the library to update your team total and earn prizes as you hit each milestone. Every completed log turned in will also count as an entry into the grand prize drawing for your age bracket. Milestone prizes are only awarded once, but you can complete as many reading logs as you’re able to increase your chances of winning the grand prize. Additionally, all those extra minutes will still go towards your team total!

The 0-5 group’s grand prize is a book bundle, and both the 6-11 and 12-18 age groups are a $25 Amazon gift card.

Discovery Kits

Discovery Kits are now available for circulation at the library. There are kits for children ages 1-5 and kits for children 6+. Click here for more information on what is included and how to borrow these kits.

Storytimes

All children attending storytimes must be accompanied by an adult. Adult interaction is highly encouraged. You are your child's model, so please show how to appropriately participate with other children. Please refrain from being on your phone and/or talking with the other parents as it is distracting to the children. Please see our check out our full list of guidelines before attending. We appreciate your cooperation.

Please note that we take 3 breaks throughout the year, during the month of May, the month of September, and from mid-December to mid-January. These breaks are announced in storytimes, our weekly newsletters, on flyers in the children’s room, and on our social media, as well as the dates that we resume.

Please follow us on social media so you don’t miss any updates!

Toddler Storytime:

Fridays at 10:00am in the Children’s Programming Room
Our toddler storytimes are geared towards those little ones who have started walking and exploring on their own, who don’t like to sit still for books as much as they used to but aren’t quite ready for full picture books. We incorporate movement through nursery rhymes and songs and read slightly longer books than in the baby storytime. Siblings are welcome, though the focus will remain on the toddlers. We end with either a fun activity that encourages fine motor skills and brain development. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Storytime is free and requires no registration. All are welcome as long as space is available.

Stories & More:

Fridays at 11:00am in the Children’s Programming Room or Outside in our Green Space as the weather allows
Our storytimes incorporate music, movement, stories, and early literacy skills. Crafts and/or guided play will follow and are designed to help with Kindergarten readiness. Storytimes are appropriate for developmental ages 2 thru 5 years old. Babies are welcome with parent interaction. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Storytime is free and requires no registration. All are welcome as long as space & supplies last.

We are happy to accommodate people with special needs. Please contact the Youth Services Librarian, Mariana, at msprouse@rcls.org for more information.

Please watch our website or social media for announcements on weather related changes to the story time schedule.

Contact Our Youth Services Librarian

Mariana Sprouse
msprouse@rcls.org
(845)794-4660 ext. 8

Additional Services offered:

• School/Day Care visits

• Curated Books Lists

• Home School Library Skills Curriculum

• Children's & YA Readers Advisory

• Research Project Help