Library Events

Sunday, Dec. 16, 2:00-3:00 theme and activities TBD

 

Enjoy free play and building with LEGO at our monthly LEGO Club.
We also have many LEGO books and LEGO Club Magazine that kids can use for inspiration.

The American Library Association's (ALA's) Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) has partnered with LEGO to provide a digital toolkit to inspire creating, playing, making, and sharing. Children learn and have fun while they share, play, and build with LEGO in the library. 

For kids ages 3-10, 1:30-3:00 p.m.

Please don't bring your own LEGO! We have plenty of LEGO for everyone to use. We have Duplos for younger children.

Thank you to the Friends of the Takoma Park Maryland Library for generously supplying us with the materials for this event!
 

Los jueves.  La primera sesión empreza a las 10:15, la segunda a las 11:00.
Por favor elija una o la otra.

Join Senora Geiza every Thursday for a rousing half-hour program of Spanish songs and rhymes. Great for babies, toddlers, preschoolers and their grown-ups. The first session begins at 10:15, the second at 11:00.  Please choose one or the other.
  Sponsored by Friends of the Takoma Park Maryland Library.

BEDTIME STORIES IS CANCELLED FOR NOVEMBER AND WILL RESUME DEC. 18.
7:00 p.m.
Wear your PJs & bring a favorite lovey as we read some stories and sing some songs.
After our stories and songs, we will do a simple craft!
Perfect for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and their grown-ups.

Registration is optional, but allows us to notify you of schedule changes.

Please register the child, not the adult and include a parent's e-mail address.


 

Sign your child up here if you want to receive notification of Circle Time cancelations.  Rarely, but once in while, we have to skip Circle Time because of storms, ice, sickness - unexpected events.

Note: there are two 30 minute Circle Times, one from 10-10:30 a.m. and the second from 11-11:30 a.m. Because of crowding, we ask people to attend one or the other. Thanks!

Next scheduled closing: Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

We do close sometimes!  For Monday holidays we usually close Sundays as well.  If the library is closed, the computer rooms are closed as well. 

Because of weather, we may close unexpectedly on other days.  Always check if you have doubts.  301.891.7259    When this happens, scheduled programs are cancelled or postponed.

TO KEEP UPDATED AS TO WHETHER THE SCRIBBLER'S CABAL WILL TAKE PLACE ON A FRIDAY, PLEASE REGISTER!
Calling all young artists! Please join us to draw together occasional Fridays at 4 p.m. Our Scribbler's Cabal program is led by Dave Burbank, library assistant and artist extraordinaire. Bring a sketchbook, pencil or pen, and your creativity, and come draw with Dave! All are welcome, but we ask that you register because Dave is off every third Friday or so. We'll send an weekly email reminder to everyone who registers so you'll know whether the program is taking place.
  Sponsored by Friends of the Takoma Park Maryland Library.

Yoga Storytime for families with 0-6-year olds. Enjoy yoga poses, songs, and a story with your child.
This is a 30-45 minute program.
We have yoga mats available. 
Occasional Saturdays, 10:30 am
 

It's Preschool Time! 
We will have fun learning and strengthening key concepts (shapes, counting, colors, etc.) and skills (scissor practice, name writing, taking turns, etc.) through songs, stories, fingerplays, and activities.

10:00-10:45

PLEASE REGISTER USING YOUR CHILD'S NAME, NOT YOURS. THANK YOU.

We're offering our Alternative Games program earlier this month -- on Saturday, Nov. 10, from 2-4 p.m. -- in celebration of International Games Week. Please register if you haven't already done so. Thanks!

Join game-master Dave Burbank for this monthly session of Alternative Games, including Dungeons & Dragons. The event, which takes place from 2-4 p.m., is aimed at kids ages 8 up; registration required. NOTE: The program normally takes place the last weekend of the month, but sometimes is on Saturday and sometimes Sunday. We'll send an email with the latest program date to all who are registered.
 

111Join us for this fun, once-a-month "Comics Book Club" program which takes place on the second Tuesday each month at 4 p.m., Sept.-June. At our program Library Associate Dave Burbank reads comics aloud; as he reads, the comics are projected on a big screen so that everyone can follow along. The program concludes with Dave, who is our staff artist, taking drawing requests from the audience. No registration required.

 
Welcome, bienvenue, babies, toddlers, preschoolers and your grown-ups!  Join Madame Marie as she leads us in French songs and rhymes. You don't need to know French to enjoy this program.
Registration optional.  If you do register, we can let you know the next date for the program, and also contact you in case of cancellation.

Sponsored by Friends of the Takoma Park Maryland Library.

Join our family book club -- our Caldecott Club! Each month, we read 4 new picture books -- all possibilities for the Caldecott Medal. We discuss each book, using our "kid-friendly" Caldecott criteria, then vote on our favorite at the end of each night. Lemonade and cookies (including gluten-, nut- & dairy-free alternatives) are served at each Caldecott Club meeting courtesy of the Friends of the Takoma Park Maryland Library. Sponsored by Friends of the Takoma Park Maryland Library.

Please join us on Thursday, Dec. 20, beginning at 6:30 p.m. as we celebrate the Winter Solstice! Our program will begin with a drumming circle led by local musician Bill Jenkins. He'll provide the drums and other percussion instruments -- participants just need to supply the drumming energy. Then, around 7:30 p.m., the Foggy Bottom Morris Men will swoop in with their songs, dances and high spirits. It's a great program for all ages; no registration is required and you're to come for some or all of the program. Thanks to the Friends of the Takoma Park Maryland Library for sponsoring this annual tradition! Sponsored by Friends of the Takoma Park Maryland Library.

Bring in the New Year a little early!
Enjoy stories, make your own noisemaker, party hat, and enjoy a bubble dance party. 
Sparkling cider & cookies will be served.
Registration is optional.

 

Calling all babies, ages birth through 12 months: it's time for Babytime!

For four Wednesday mornings in January (we won't be meeting January 2) from 11-11:30 a.m. we'll meet to sing songs and rhymes, learn some fingerplays, and read some simple stories.

Parents, don't worry if your little one sleeps at this time in the morning. Just bring them and prepare to have fun meeting other parents as you learn some fun ways to interact with your little one. (Note: this program is offered as a package of four classes; please register only if you can make all four classes, barring illness, as we often have people on our waiting list. Thanks for understanding.)
 PLEASE REGISTER USING YOUR CHILD'S NAME, NOT YOURS. THANK YOU.

Grown-up fans of picture books: please join us for our 5th annual Mock Caldecott for Adults on Saturday, Jan. 12 from 1-4 p.m.! We'll read and discuss a dozen top possibilities for the 2019 Caldecott Medal; the actual winner will be announced by the American Library Association on Monday, Jan. 28. At our program, snacks, lemonade and seltzer will be provided, courtesy of the Friends of the Takoma Park Maryland Library. Registration is encouraged, so we can invite you to participate in an online poll before the event to winnow our initial list of 20 books to a top dozen. (Note: This is an event for adults; kids are welcome to watch if they are interested). Sponsored by Friends of the Takoma Park Maryland Library.

Kids ages 9-14 are invited to learn how to draw fantastic beasts -- including some from the world of Harry Potter -- on Sunday, Jan. 13 from 2-4 p.m. The class will be taught by local illustrator and art teacher Kate Lanxner. Participants will work all together on one creature, step by step. There also will be templates and overlays for drawing other Hogwarts creatures, such as the "Nifler," the "Bowtruckle," and the beloved house-elf Dobby. So if you think to yourself, "I can't even draw a straight line," it will be easy to get a good result for a fantastic piece of wall art. All materials provided, courtesy of the Friends of the Takoma Park Maryland Library. Class size is limited and registration is required. Sponsored by Friends of the Takoma Park Maryland Library.

Calling all fairy tale enthusiasts! You're invited to join us for a Fairy Tale Party on Saturday, Feb. 16, from 2-4 p.m. Enjoy tales, crafts and snacks. Wear your favorite fairy tale-inspired get-up! Kids of all ages are invited; crafts will be most appropriate for ages 3 and up. Registration encouraged so we can be sure to have enough snacks and craft materials. Sponsored by Friends of the Takoma Park Maryland Library.