If you spend time on the Youth Services floor at the Handley branch, you have likely heard us talk about our Grow a Reader brand, and our new Read and Seed Activity Program. Handley’s Grow a Reader Initiative provides space to all families so that they can play, connect, and thrive as lifelong learners. The Activity Program aims to package our library’s collections, programs, and services with incentives for kids and caregivers as you complete the age/stage seed packets. For my next three blog posts, I will be focusing on each of our Read and See age groups: 0-2 Seeds, 2-4 Sprouts, and 4-5 Flowers. The goal of the activity packet is for you to explore everything we have to offer at the library to support them and you as they grow.
Today I will be telling you all about what is available to our “seeds”- the youngest library patrons ages 0-2!
Did you know that your little can get a library card as soon as they are born? The first step of the seed packet is to go ahead and get your little set up with their very own card. This card will be linked to a caregiver’s card, so if you don’t have one we will need to make one for you as well. Get started on your library card application here.
You can also link your little’s library card to your myLibro account, and never have to worry about carrying around two (or more) cards. Be sure to ask about myLibro if you haven’t downloaded the app yet, since this is one of your tasks in the packet.
Collections
Board books are located in the 0-5 play area on the children’s floor at Handley, and can be easily browsed while your little one plays, or by our littlest readers. Board books are great for babies because the thick pages can be safely turned without tearing. Many board books have interactive features like flaps or cutouts in the pages that make them engaging for babies.
These toy kits are only available at the Handley branch, and can only be checked out by patrons who live in our service area of Winchester, Frederick County, and Clarke County. These kits do require that you fill out an agreement form, because they are more expensive than the other items in the library. Each kit includes books and 1-2 toys on a theme, and they will contain information about the age range the kit is geared towards on the tag. Kits can not be put on hold, but you can browse the website to see what’s available before coming to the library!
Our Parent-Teacher collection is located at the back of the children's room, right behind where we host our storytime programs. The collection holds a wide variety of material from baby led weaning and breast feeding, to pregnancy, potty training, homeschooling, and beyond! If you have ever had a parenting question you need help with, our PTC collection is a great place to start.
Programs
Meets Tuesdays at 10:30am in our children’s room- this is our baby storytime designed for ages 0-16 mo. Join us for songs, rhymes, finger plays, a letter of the day, ASL, stories and lots of fun! Once a month, stay after to play and chat with representative from La Leche League.
Meets Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 11:00am in the Benham Gallery, which is in our Lower Level. This program is for ages 0-5, and it is a small storytime followed by about 30 minutes of free exploration and play with sensory bins. These bins are designed on the theme of the week, and they include tools, counters, and manipulatives to engage your little. The room is an enclosed space so your baby can roam freely, but sometimes the bins do have small filler so babies will need close supervision. (Note: this program is the same both days and great for ages 1-5!)
1000 Books Before Kindergarten:
This program may sound daunting at first, but I promise you will likely read well over 1000 books before kindergarten if you start now. Every book – even repeats – counts! Sign your little up to join our “frog pond” of all our littles “hopping” to read 1000 books before kindergarten. You get prizes for reading and can attend our monthly Frog Hoppers Storytimes the second Saturday of the month. Click here to read more!
Services
This wonderful resource can be accessed by simply logging in with your library card and pin- you will then have access to countless videos on various parenting topics. The site is organized by age when you first log in, but once you click on an age range, there will be a search tool on the left side that includes a list of all the topics in that age range.
We offer a wide range of newsletter that you can subscribe to here at the library! We recommend subscribing to the Parent Hacks and Picture This newsletters at this stage. Newsletters are updated once a month with new books lists on a theme.
We would love to have you join us for this activity program. If you’d like to sign your little up today, you can click here to register! Then come to the Youth Services desk the next time you visit the Handley Library branch to collect your seed packet and starter activities. We can’t wait to grow with you!