Children's Department

The Children's Services Department offers a variety of materials and programming for children and their families.

Crafternoons

Crafternoons is back! Makers ages 15 and younger are welcome to stop by the Dr. James Carlson or Northport Libraries each week to get their craft on! Note that the same weekly project will be done at both locations.
Mondays, Sept. 25 - Dec. 18 from 3-4:30 p.m.: Dr. James Carlson Library
Tuesdays, Sept. 26 - Dec. 19 from 3-4:30 p.m.: Northport Branch
Dec. 4 & 5: Dinosaur Paper Plates
Dec. 11 & 12: Beaded Snowflakes
Dec. 18 & 19: Gnome Ornaments

Beach Escape Storytime

Kids ages 2-6 and their adults are invited to move and groove to a beach-themed storytime incorporating creative movement. After storytime, participants can stay for coloring and other calming activities. No pre-registration is required.
Dec. 5 at 6 p.m. - Dr. James Carlson Library
Dec. 7 at 6 p.m. - Main Library

Baby Rhyme Time

Babies ages birth to 24 months are invited to join us for the next sessions of lapsit storytimes at the Dr. James Carlson Library. Baby Rhyme Time is an opportunity for parents to share songs, fingerplays, short books, rhythms and rhymes with baby while introducing books and the library! Each session concludes with open play time. No pre-registration required. One child per grown-up lap please.
Dec. 7 & 21 @ 10 a.m.

Paws for Reading

Reading Therapy pets are available on the second Saturday of each month (through April) to listen to children practice their reading in a relaxed, informal setting. Kids in Kindergarten through 6th grade are invited to register for a 15-minute session with one of our non-judgmental listeners. Sessions begin at 10 a.m. at the Main Library. Bring your own books to read or choose from a selection of library books. Call the Children’s Services desk at 701.241.1495 to register for the current month.
Dec. 9
Jan. 13
Feb. 10
March 9
April 13

Going Places Book Club

We're reading all over the place in the Going Places Book Club! Kids in grades 3 to 7 are invited to the Main Library to join us as we experience each month's featured book through related activities, discussion, snacks, and crafts. Pick up your book and register for the current month at the Main Library or call the Children's Services desk at 701.241.1495
Dec. 12 at 4 p.m. - Barb the Last Berzerker by Dan & Jason

Namaste Toddler/Preschool Yoga

Introducing Toddler/Pre-School Yoga by Mojo Fit! It's never too soon to learn how to relax, breathe, pose, and find your center, all while having fun at the Main Library with a certified yoga instructor from Mojo Fit. Come dressed to stretch and move. We have a few mats available for kiddos to use, but if you have your own, bring it along! This class is best suited for ages 2-6. No pre-registration required.
Dec. 14 @ 10 a.m.

Gingerbread House Decorating

Run! Run! As fast as you can to help decorate a house for a gingerbread man. A gingerbread house is a home made of sweets adorned with many fabulous treats - join us to decorate a house to keep. This activity is best suited for children ages 5 and up. Pre-registration is required and begins Dec. 1.
Dec. 14 at 4 p.m. - Northport Branch
Dec. 16 at 10 a.m. - Main Library

Summer Sun & Fun Storytime and Craft

Kids ages 2 to 6 are invited to a special storytime and craft to help us look forward to the sunny summer days!
Dec. 26 at 10 a.m. - Main Library
Dec. 28 at 10 a.m. - Dr. James Carlson Library

LEGO Mania Design Contest

Show off your creativity at the Fargo Public Library's annual Lego Mania Design Contest! Kids ages 12 and under are invited to participate. Build an original creation at home, then bring it to the Main Library on Dec. 27 between 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. Judging will begin at 12 p.m. and winners will be announced at 12:45 p.m. Games and other activities will take place in the Children's Room to pass the time while we await the judges' decisions.

Registration is required and can be completed by calling 701.241.1495 beginning Dec. 1. Before you begin to build, please check out the rules and guidelines. Good luck!

Family Trivia Nights

Rally your relatives and join us for family trivia night at the Main Library. Each month we'll feature a different theme and see who knows the most! Family trivia night is open to individuals, families, or teams of all ages - trivia works best for kids who are reading independently. Families are invited to pre-register at the beginning of the current month. Prizes for our top winners, and snacks for all!
Dec. 28 at 6 p.m. - Fizz, Bubble, Pop!: Science Trivia

Kindergarten Success! Storytime

Get your child ready for Kindergarten by exploring literacy and STEAM topics through music, stories, songs, and play at the Main Library. Library staff will share tips you can use to instill a love of reading in your child. Activities follow each storytime and all children receive a FREE book! These events are appropriate for children ages 3-5.
Jan. 6 @ 10 a.m.
Feb. 3 @ 10 a.m.
Mar. 2 @ 10 a.m.
Apr. 6 @ 10 a.m.
May 4 @ 10 a.m.

Libraries Dance! Storytime and Dance Series

F-M Ballet and Gasper's School of Dance will be at the Main Library at 6:30 p.m. for movement and fun! These storytimes are interactive with a brief dance lesson followed by stories and snacks, so wear clothes/costumes you can move in! Dance storytimes are geared toward children ages 3 and up.
Feb. 14 - BFF Dance-Off!
March 10 - Alice in Wonderland Preview
April 10 - Bunny Hop

Dial-A-Story

If you’ve ever wished you could listen to a story, a poem, or even a joke at any time, day or night, now you can! Call the Library’s Dial-A-Story phone line at 701.298.6927 anytime and choose the children’s option; new recordings are available every Monday. Selections are recorded by Children’s Library staff and are up to 5 minutes in length. Dial-A-Story recordings can be accessed by any phone.

Library Program Evaluation

Attended one of our programs? Tell us about your experience! This is a post-program survey to help us bring more events to our patrons. Your feedback means a great deal to us; thank you for your time in filling out this form.

Contact Us

If you have any questions or comments, please contact the Children's Services Department. We'll be happy to help!