Children's Department
The Children's Services Department offers a variety of materials and programming for children and their families.
Library's "Northern Narratives Jr." Literary Magazine Available
Northern Narratives Jr. is the library's first ever, kids-only, literary magazine. It is available to be read online and features poems, nonfiction essays, short stories, drawings, photographs, and comics written and created by school-age children from the Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo community in the spring of 2021. Each category had first and second place winners as judged by the Fargo Public Library Children's Services Staff. Winning works are indicated by an asterisk.*
Please note: Transcription of each piece was taken directly from the original work, so any creative spelling, grammar, or formatting is considered intentional by the artist.
12th Annual Design a Bookmark Contest
The Fargo Public Library is commemorating creativity with the 12th Annual Design a Bookmark Contest. Stop by any Fargo Library location beginning September 1 to pick up an entry form or download one online. Fill the space with your most brilliant creation and return it to any location before close on September 30. The top designs (as voted on by library staff) will be made into full color bookmarks that will be printed and distributed throughout the following year at library branches and events. The contest is open to children 12 and under. For more information, contact Children's Services at 701.241.1495. Winners will be announced on Monday, October 11.
Crafternoons
It’s time to get crafty! Crafternoons returns to the Dr. James Carlson and Northport Libraries as a take home project. Children up to age 12 are welcome to pre-register for a take home packet. Each week will feature a new craft. We supply the materials – you supply the imagination! Please note: the same weekly craft will be featured at all locations. Pre-registration is required for each week and begins on Monday. Limit one craft per person per week.
Mondays, Sept. 27 – Dec. 20
Take-Home Packet Pick-Up Time: 3 to 4:45 p.m.
Dr. James Carlson Library
Tuesdays, Sept. 28 – Dec. 21
Take-Home Packet Pick-Up Time: 3 to 4:45 p.m.
Northport Branch
Festive Fall Farm Storytime & Petting Zoo
Old MacDonald is coming to the Library E-I-E-I-O! Bundle up for this outdoor storytime at the Main Library on Saturday, October 2 to see festive folktales come to life with a visit from the Rusty K Petting Zoo! Enjoy that fall feeling with cozy treats, activities and songs from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., with a special storytime at 11:15 a.m. With an oink, oink here and neiiiigh there, this is sure to be a special treat! No pre-registration is required. *This outdoor event is weather permitting.
Fall Storytime
Storytime is back!
This fall, storytime will be broken into two different sessions. The first session, held October 4 – November 3, will consist of live virtual storytimes. Pre-registration is required. Participants will receive an email with information on how to log into the session; an email address is required. The second session runs November 8 – December 8. Pre-registration will open on October 25. All times are open to children ages 2-6. Please see our Storytime page for dates and times.
Baby Rhyme Time
Babies ages birth to 18 months and their caregivers are invited to join us for baby storytimes. Share songs, fingerplays, short books, rhythms, and rhymes with your baby while introducing them to books and the library! In person sessions conclude with open play time. One lap per child, please.
Virtual Sessions
Pre-registration is required and will open on the first of each month.
Please note: this program will be conducted online via GoToMeeting. Participants will receive an email with information on how to log into the session, so it is necessary to provide an email address when registering.
Tuesday, October 5 & 19 at 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, November 2 & 16 at 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, December 7 & 21 at 6:30 p.m.
In Person Sessions
Dr. James Carlson Library - No Pre-Registration Necessary
Thursday, October 7 & 21 at 10 a.m.
Thursday, November 4 & 18 at 10 a.m.
Thursday, December 9 & 23 at 10 a.m.
Native American Stories & Music with Keith Bear
World-renowned Mandan-Hidatsa storyteller and musician, Keith Bear, from the Three Affiliated Tribes in Fort Berthold, ND will be presenting a morning of Native American stories and music. Families and kids of all ages are invited to take part in this cultural experience at the Main Library on Saturday, October 9 at 10 a.m. as Bear weaves a magic of story, song, history and personal reflection. This event is held in conjunction with the One Book, One Community series of events. Pre-registration is required and may be completed online or by calling Children's Services at 701.241.1495.
Paws for Reading
Our furry friends from Pet Partners of the Red River Valley have returned for another season of reading fun at the Main Library. Reading therapy pets are available on the second Saturday of each month (through April) between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. to listen to children practice reading in a relaxed, informal setting. Our next visit will take place on October 9. Kids in Kindergarten through 6th grade are invited to register for a 15 minute session with one of our non-judgmental listeners. Bring your own books to read or choose from a selection of library books. Pre-registration is required for each month's session and opens on the first of the month. Call 701.241.1495 to register.
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.
Contact Us
If you have any questions or comments, please contact the Children's Services Department. We'll be happy to help!
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.
