Books:
FEATURED Children’s and Middle School Programs – Registration required as noted.
MEET THE CHICKENS! A Special Visit with the Girl Scouts
Wednesday, December 10 from 5 to 7 p.m.
Join us for a fun and feathered evening at the library! The Girl Scouts will share a story, lead a chicken-themed coloring activity, and introduce you to some very special guests — real chickens!
This is a free, family-friendly interactive program with hands-on activities. Meet the visiting chickens up close, learn about their care, habits, and personalities with an opportunity to gently pet the safely contained chickens.
Registration is suggested, but drop-ins are welcome.
This visit is part of the Urban Eggs project — a Girl Scout initiative focused on educating Volunteers of West View Urban Farm and the community about how easy it is to care for chickens as a sustainable food source. The chickens will eventually live at the Farm. Their eggs will be donated to a local food pantry to help address food insecurity. Their manure will be composted and used to nourish the Farm’s fruit and vegetable beds, whose harvests will also be donated to support local families in need.
WINTER TALES STORYTIME
Wednesday December 17 at 10 a.m.
Children ages 3 to 6 and their caregiver can come on down to the library for a Winter-themed storytime and craft! Children must be at least 3 years of age to attend.
No registration required.
COIN COLLECTING FOR KIDS AND TEENS
Tuesday, December 30th from 6 to 8pm
Curious about coins? Members of the North Hills Coin Club will provide students from kindergarten through 12th grade with the knowledge and tools needed to get started in this fascinating hobby.
If you have attended previous programs, please bring your coin folders with you!
Registration is required and begins December 1st.
WINTER READING 2026 – January 1 to 31
A special edition of winter Reading Dragons, the bookmark contest, reading challenges, and more await you this winter.
Register in the library or at home HERE.
Booklets can be picked up in the library or downloaded here beginning January 1!
Hand in your booklets by February 5 for a chance to win a gift certificate to Riverstone Books.
KID BOOK REVIEWS 2026 – January 2 to 31
Did you just finish a book that you loved? We want to hear about it!
Fill out our review form and tell us the title of the book (and the author, if you would like), draw us a picture of the cover or your favorite part of the book. Tell us what you liked about it, and give it a rating out of five stars! Bring it up to the Children and Teen Services desk and we will display your book reviews in the Children’s Department!
This program will run from January 2nd through January 31st. Download Review Form HERE.
WINTER BOOKMARK CONTEST 2026 – January 1 to 31
Design a bookmark with all things winter reading in mind to enter our 2026 Winter Bookmark Contest. Pick up an entry form at the Children and Teen Services, Ask A Librarian desk, or download one below. Entry forms will be available in late December.
Two winners will be chosen from each age category: Ages 0 to 5, ages 6 to 9, ages 10 to 12, ages 13 to 17, ages 18+
Entries will be accepted January 2 through January 31. Winners will be announced on February 7. Each winner will receive 30 bookmarks printed with their winning design and certificate. Winners may pick up their prize package from the Children and Teen Services desk beginning on February 20. All winning bookmarks will also be distributed at the Library.
DOWNLOAD ENTRY FORM HERE (available in late December)
FEEDING TIME AT THE LIBRARY!
January 8, 15, 22, 29 at 10 a.m.
At 10 a.m. sharp every Thursday in January, join the Northland Children and Teen Services librarians to watch as we feed Bubbles (our axolotl) and our fish. We will briefly discuss the library’s animals and their feeding habits, and answer all the questions you’ve always wanted to ask! The actual feeding time is a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it experience, so don’t be late. Please allot 10 to 15 minutes for the program. Themed coloring sheets will be provided.
No registration is required.
STEAM FOR KIDS
January 28, 2026 from 6 to 7 p.m.
Calling all kids 6 to 11years of age! Come to STEAM for Kids for some Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math Fun. Parents are also invited to join us as we explore STEAM activities.
Registration is required (begins January 1, 2026) – Please register each attending child separately.
HOME SCHOOL MEETUP – FIRE SAFETY
March 27 from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Jeff Weisner, fire chief of the Town of McCandless, will present fire safety and prevention for homeschool children (Kindergarten and up) and their families.
This session of Homeschool Meet-up will take place at the Town of McCandless Town Hall.
Registration is required – Please register each person attending separately as space is limited. Please plan on staying with your child.
Children’s ONGOING Programs – Registration required as noted.
POKEMON CLUB – First Tuesday of each month from 4 to 5 p.m.
December 2
Gotta catch ’em all! Pokemon Trainers ages 10-16 can join us for an hour of Pokemon fun. We’ll have a different activity each month, and trainers are welcome to bring their own cards and games from home to show off and share. No registration required.
LAB MICE – Mondays at 10 a.m. OR 1 p.m.
A STEAM-based hands-on storytime for children 3 1/2 to 6 years of age. Each week we will read a story, talk about what happened then do a hands-on STEAM activity related
to the book. Registration is required. Please register each attending child separately.
Session 1:
February 2, 9, 16, 23 and March 2, 2026
10 a.m. Registration
1 p.m. Registration
Session 2:
March 16, 23, 30, April 6, and 13, 2026
10 a.m. Registration
1 p.m. Registration
IT’S TIME FOR CREATIVE THURSDAY! – Thursdays from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in Room 108
January 22 through April 20; October1 through December 17 (Except Thanksgiving Day, November 26)
Children aged 3 to 6 years old can drop in for a cute, quick, 15-minute craft to make and take home. Stop by Room 108 in the Children’s Department for this casual crafting time with Ms. Kim.
No registration is required.
TWEEN WRITING GROUP – First Wednesday of each month from 4 to 5:30 in Room 108
January 7, February 4, March 4, April 1, May 6, June 3, July 1, August 5, September 2, October 7, November 4, December 2
Are you a 4th-7th grader who enjoys creative writing? Would you like to meet other students with similar interests? Whether you are already deep into an ongoing writing project or unsure where to start, join us once a month for writing games, group writing exercises, and interesting prompts. Bring your notebook or laptop: there will be plenty of unstructured time to start a new project or continue working on an old one, as well as opportunities to share your work (if you wish). Light snacks will be provided.
Registration is not required.
If no more than one participant is in the room 15 minutes past the program start time, the program will be canceled.
POKEMON MASTERS CLUB – First and Third Tuesdays of each month from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. in Room 108
January 6 and 20; February 3 and 17; March 3 and 17; April 7 and 21; May 5 and 19; June 2 and 16; July 7 and 21; August 4 and 18; September 1 and 15; October 6 and 20; November 3 and 17; December 1 and 15
Calling all Pokémon Trainers! We’re challenging Trainers ages 6 to 13 to come and dive into the Pokémon world with us. Trade and show off your cards, tackle a fun Pokémon-themed activity, and test your skills with Pokémon games! Bring your own cards and games from home to join the action and battle alongside fellow Trainers. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player—our Pokémon Experts are here to help!
No registration required.
If no more than one participant is in the room 15 minutes past the program start time, the program will be canceled.
POKEMON JUNIORS STORYTIME – Second Friday of each month from 1 to 2 p.m.
January 9, February 13, March 13, April 10, May 8, June 12, July 10, August 14, September 11, October 9, November 13, December 11
Gotta catch ’em all! Young Pokémon fans ages 3 to 6 are invited to join us for an hour of Pokemon storytime adventures. Join us for epic Pokémon stories and a hands-on crafting activity that will bring your favorite Pokémon to life. Explore, create, and let your imagination run wild with your favorite pocket monsters! Feel free to bring your cards to play and trade with friends!
Registration is required (click date above to register for that date’s program).
ANIMAL CROSSING CLUB – Second Tuesday each month from 4 to 5 p.m.
December 16 (Note: Third Tuesday), January 13, February 10, March 10, April 14, May 12, June 16, July 14, August 11, September 8, October 13, November 10, December 8
Good afternoon, Mayor! Villagers ages 10 to 16 can join us as we collaboratively build Northland’s island in Animal Crossing: New Horizons on the Switch. Villagers may bring their own Switches to show off their own islands, but no experience with the game is necessary to participate. No registration required.
If no more than one participant is in the room at 15 minutes past the program start time, the program will be cancelled.
NORTHLAND CHILDREN’S CHESS CLUB – Third Wednesday of each month from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
January 21, February 18, March 18, April 15, May 20, June 17, July 15, August 19, September 16, October 21, November 18, and December 16
Kids in kindergarten through 8th grade are invited to drop in on the third Wednesday of each month to enjoy chess instruction, chess puzzles, and play pick-up games.
No registration is required.
K to 4th grade parents must remain in the building during club time. High school chess players: contact Children & Teen Services to see how you can earn community service volunteer hours!
FAMILY STORYTIME – Select Saturdays at 11 a.m.
January 10 and 24; February 7 and 21; March 7 and 21; April 4 and 18; May 2 and 16
Families of all kinds are welcome at this storytime! We’ll read stories and sing songs (and sometimes do a craft). This program is best suited for children of preschool and early elementary age, but all ages are welcome.
Registration is not required.
Middle School ONGOING Programs – Registration required as noted.
POKEMON CLUB – First Tuesday of each month from 4 to 5 p.m.
December 2
Gotta catch ’em all! Pokemon Trainers ages 10-16 can join us for an hour of Pokemon fun. We’ll have a different activity each month, and trainers are welcome to bring their own cards and games from home to show off and share. No registration required.
POKEMON MASTERS CLUB – First and Third Tuesdays of each month from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
January 6 and 20; February 3 and 17; March 3 and 17; April 7 and 21; May 5 and 19; June 2 and 16; July 7 and 21; August 4 and 18; September 1 and 15; October 6 and 20; November 3 and 17; December 1 and 15
Calling all Pokémon Trainers! We’re challenging Trainers ages 6 to 13 to come and dive into the Pokémon world with us. Trade and show off your cards, tackle a fun Pokémon-themed activity, and test your skills with Pokémon games! Bring your own cards and games from home to join the action and battle alongside fellow Trainers. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player—our Pokémon Experts are here to help!
No registration required.
If no more than one participant is in the room 15 minutes past the program start time, the program will be canceled.
TWEEN WRITING GROUP – First Wednesday of each month from 4 to 5:30 in Room 108
January 7, February 4, March 4, April 1, May 6, June 3, July 1, August 5, September 2, October 7, November 4, December 2
Are you a 4th-7th grader who enjoys creative writing? Would you like to meet other students with similar interests? Whether you are already deep into an ongoing writing project or unsure where to start, join us once a month for writing games, group writing exercises, and interesting prompts. Bring your notebook or laptop: there will be plenty of unstructured time to start a new project or continue working on an old one, as well as opportunities to share your work (if you wish). Light snacks will be provided.
Registration is not required.
If no more than one participant is in the room 15 minutes past the program start time, the program will be canceled.
COCOA CLUB FOR TWEENS – Second and fourth Wednesday of select months from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
January 14 and 28; February 11 and 25; March 11 and 25; September 9 and 23; October 14 and 28; November 11 and 20 (Friday); December 9 and 18 (Friday)
Come unwind at the Library! Sip hot chocolate, listen to a great story, and enjoy a calm craft or coloring activity with friends at this cozy midweek break for tweens aged 8 to 12. We’ll choose our story together! Bring your own mug or use one of ours.
Registration is required.
ANIMAL CROSSING CLUB – Second Tuesday each month from 4 to 5 p.m.
December 16 (Note: Third Tuesday), January 13, February 10, March 10, April 14, May 12, June 16, July 14, August 11, September 8, October 13, November 10, December 8
Good afternoon, Mayor! Villagers ages 10 to 16 can join us as we collaboratively build Northland’s island in Animal Crossing: New Horizons on the Switch. Villagers may bring their own Switches to show off their own islands, but no experience with the game is necessary to participate. No registration required.
If no more than one participant is in the room at 15 minutes past the program start time, the program will be cancelled.
NORTHLAND CHILDREN’S CHESS CLUB – Third Wednesday of each month from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
January 21, February 18, March 18, April 15, May 20, June 17, July 15, August 19, September 16, October 21, November 18, and December 16
Kids in kindergarten through 8th grade are invited to drop in on the third Wednesday of each month to enjoy chess instruction, chess puzzles, and play pick-up games.
No registration is required.
K to 4th grade parents must remain in the building during club time. High school chess players: contact Children & Teen Services to see how you can earn community service volunteer hours!
