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Ethelbert B. Crawford Public Library Children’s Services

2025 Summer Reading Program

Register for the 2025 Summer Reading Program here: https://forms.office.com/r/ZNPNBvGEuF . Fill out the form between June 30th and July 19th to register, then come into the library to pick up your packet and get your Color Team assignment.

This year, in addition to counting your minutes read going towards prizes, your minutes will also count towards your Color Team’s total. The team with the most minutes read by the end of the program earns an Ice Cream Social!

Prizes will be earned at stages; registration, 600 minutes read, 1200 minutes read, and 1800 minutes read (last bubble) are the 4 milestones where you will earn prizes. Turn in each completed log for an entry into the grand prize drawing for your age group. While milestone prizes are only awarded once, multiple reading logs can be completed to earn more minutes for your Color Team and to earn additional entries into the grand prize drawing.

The 0-5 group’s grand prize is a book bundle, and both the 6-11 and 12-18 age groups grand prizes are a $25 Amazon gift card. One person from each age group will be a winner.

If you have any questions, please be sure to visit our Frequently Asked Questions or ask a librarian. Happy Reading!

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

Stories & More:

Wednesdays at 11:00am in the Children’s Programming Room or Outside in our Green Space seasonally
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.

Toddler Storytime:

Tuesdays 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.

Baby Storytime:

Tuesdays at 11:00am in the Children’s Programming Room
Our baby storytimes incorporate music and movement while introducing babies to books and new vocabulary. This storytime is appropriate for developmental ages 0 thru 24 months old. Old siblings are welcome, though the focus will remain on the babies. Baby toys will be brought out after the stories to encourage socializing and community building. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Storytime is free and requires no registration. All are welcome as long as space is available.

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.

1000 Books Before Kindergarten Program

EBCPL is a participating library in the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten Program. 

The challenge is simple. Read 1000 books to your child before they begin Kindergarten to help them start on the path to success in school. Stop by the library to pick up your packet. For every 100 books you read child will earn a prize. After 1000 books you'll join our wall of fame and get a t-shirt!

You can even download the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten App and get started tracking today.

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