Dungeons & Dragons (Virtual)
New sessions will take place on the following Mondays: October 11, 18, & 25 from 4:30-6:00 PM via Zoom.
Meet virtually to explore the world of Dungeons & Dragons with fellow adventurers using online resources and your imagination!
Call 715-346-1549 to register. (For teens entering grades 6-12)
Field Trip Fridays (Virtual)
Where in Portage County are we? Travel with us, virtually, to special locations in our community and enjoy storytimes and behind the scenes footage. To view the full videos, join the PCPL Storytimes Facebook group. Partial videos will be available to view on the PCPL YouTube Channel.
Learning Labs (take home kits)
Call 715-346-1549 or your preferred branch location to reserve these grab-n-go kits today! First come, first served, while supplies last, to be picked up via curbside service or at the Youth Services desk.
Learning Lab: Origami Bookmark (Coming Soon)
Lit Loot - Kids & Teens
Kids:
Who? Kids entering grades 1-5. (2021-2022 school year)
What? A personalized book subscription bag with a new theme each month.
Why? To receive a custom-selected book checked out on your library card
& surprise themed goodies!
Where? Portage County Public Library – Youth Services
How? Register for a subscription bag by clicking on the themes listed below.
Registration is open for the following themes:
(After registering you will be contacted when your loot is ready for pick up!)
September: We're sorry! All of our September bags have been claimed...feel free to register for any of the previous themes listed below if you have not received them already. Also, look for our next theme to be released on the second Wednesday in October.
August: Out of This World
July: Adventure Awaits
Teens:
Who? Teens entering grades 6-12. (2021-2022 school year)
What? A personalized book subscription bag with a new theme each month.
Why? To receive a custom-selected book checked out on your library card
& surprise themed goodies!
Where? Portage County Public Library – Youth Services
How? Register for a subscription bag by clicking on the themes listed below.
Registration is open for the following themes:
(After registering you will be contacted when your loot is ready for pick up!)
September: We're sorry! All of our September bags have been claimed...feel free to register for any of the previous themes listed below if you have not received them already. Also, look for our next theme to be released on the first Wednesday in October.
April: Laugh It Up
May: Jump Up
August: Give Me Space
Society for the Appreciation of Manga & Anime
Join the Virtual Society for the Appreciation of Manga & Anime!
Watch anime, discuss manga, and enjoy Japanese themed activities via Zoom.
First Monday of each month, 4:30-5:30pm (October through December 2021)
For teens in grades 6-12. Registration is required.
Call Youth Services at 715-346-1549 or email youthservices@pocolibrary.org to register.
Storytime Snippets
Enjoy your favorite rhymes and songs from our Family Book Breaks on the PCPL YouTube Channel.
StoryWalk®
StoryWalk® is a fun, educational activity that places a children's story along a walking route in the community. StoryWalk® was created as a way for people of all ages to combine physical activity with books and helps build children's interest in reading. Click Here for more info!
Teen Library Council
Calling all teens…love reading? Love your public library? Interested in volunteering and making a difference in your community? Currently in grades 6-12? (2021-2022 school year) Applications are now being accepted for our Teen Library Council!
Download an application from our website
or apply online at: https://forms.gle/W4vsHYLkNcA1yU3o9
Visit our website for more information: https://www.pocolibrary.org/teen-library-council
Ongoing Programs:
1,000 Books Before Kindergarten & Family Read Aloud Challenge
Our popular programs, 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten (for children from birth to age 5) and Family Read Aloud Challenge are now online! Visit pocolibrary.beanstack.org or download the Beanstack Tracker app to register.
Between Reads Book Club
For adults and teens (15 & up with parental permission) who love Young Adult literature (YA lit tends to feature teen protagonists and is typically marketed for young adults). Meets 1st Tuesday of each month via Zoom.
Whether you’re 15 or 115, YA lit has something great to offer! Vote, read, and discuss YA novels of a variety of genres.
Registration required – contact Youth Services (715) 346-1549. Current book club selection available at the Check Out Desk on the main level.
PCPL Talks Books
Visit our YouTube channel to watch all of our PCPL Talks Books videos.
Online Resources:
Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices
Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices is a live-action collection of 12 five-minute episodes featuring prominent Black celebrities and artists reading children's books from Black authors that highlight the Black experience. Visit: https://www.netflixbookmarks.com/ to view the episodes and to access links to additional resources. The videos are also available for free without subscription on the Netflix Jr. YouTube page.
Coronavirus: A book for children by: Axel Scheffler
Nosy Crow Publishing Company has released a book for children that explains the Coronavirus.
Follow this link to access the free book:https://nosycrowcoronavirus.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/Coronavirus_ABookForChildren.pdf
KidLit at Home
KidLit At Home is styled as a "Netflix for Kid Lit." It offers a new way for parents, educators, and young readers to access the myriad online storytime, drawing and writing tutorials, STEM and STEAM video content being offered across the web by the biggest names in children's literature, all curated in one easy to use, convenient online location: https://kidlit.tv/KidLitAtHome.
Novel Effect App
Your voice. Your books. Not the same old storytime.
Music, sound effects, and character voices play at just the right moment, adjusting and responding to your voice as you read your favorite titles together. Promote language development, increase engagement, and make storytime a little more fun for kids (and grown-ups too!) https://noveleffect.com/
PBS Kids Talk About: Race & Racism
PBS KIDS announced a new special, “PBS KIDS Talk About: Race and Racism,” which premiered on October 9. The half-hour program features authentic conversations between real children and their parents, and includes content from PBS KIDS series DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD, ARTHUR and XAVIER RIDDLE AND THE SECRET MUSEUM. The show features kids and their parents talking about race and racial justice-related topics in an age-appropriate way, such as noticing differences in race, understanding what racism can look like, and embracing the role we all have to play in standing up for ourselves and each other -- offering viewers ideas to build on as they continue these important conversations at home. The program can be view on the PBS Kids YouTube channel.
Schmeeckle Reserve Nature Programs
Schmeeckle Reserve is offering its Spring Nature Program Series in an online virtual format. Click on the title links to access the entire video collection.
Family Nature Programs: These 20-30 minute family-friendly programs are created for all ages. Explore a variety of nature-themed topics to inspire your outdoor adventures.
Preschool Discovery Programs: These 15-20 minute fun programs are created for children ages 3-6. Join our naturalists with songs, stories, and activities related to things you can see in Schmeeckle Reserve.