It’s almost time for the holiday break, but that doesn’t mean reading and fun stop at your area libraries. Get out of the cold by visiting a library today!
Let's check out the Reuben Hoar Library in Littleton.
The Children’s Department of the Reuben Hoar Library is a large area filled with fantastic displays. When you first arrive, you’ll see the staff desk with friendly librarians ready to help you. You can’t miss the large train table nearby too.
Near the desk is a self-checkout station and seasonal book displays. There’s a computer area toward the front of the room next to the large collection of audiobooks, Playaways, and DVDs. To the left and right, you’ll find nonfiction, fiction, and picture books with interesting displays on top of the shelves. If the kids are looking to play a bit, visit the open craft, game, and toy area in the back of the room. The family restroom and water fountain are great features as well.
Programs
The Reuben Hoar Library Children’s Room is bustling with activities. From monthly movies and LEGO club to story times and reading programs, there’s something for everyone. Visit the Library’s event calendar to find all of the upcoming events (kids' events at the library are also listed on the Lowell Macaroni Kid event calendar).
Weekly story times are offered on Wednesdays at 11 am for preschoolers and on Thursday afternoons for school-aged children. The library was thrilled to introduce the Babygarten Play Group, which is a one-hour program for parents/caregivers and their infants to explore nursery rhymes, books, songs, and free play together. It’s a great way for children to develop an early interaction with books.
Each December, the Girl Scouts sponsor the Festival of Trees silent auction to benefit the library.
In February of each year, the Library hosts a Take Your Child to the Library Day to showcase all of the amazing things you can do at the library! Enjoy a performer, listen to a story time, and create during this fun-filled celebration.
The summer reading program has become so large that the Library started a winter reading program last year with prizes to encourage curling up and reading some great books during the winter months.
Library Cards
Children can get a library card in Kindergarten/First Grade when they can sign their name.
Technology
The Children’s Department offers an AWE Learning Early Literacy Station™ computer with educational games as well as computers with ABCmouse, the Internet, and the library catalog.
Don’t miss the Library’s OverDrive digital library of ebooks and audiobooks with selections for kids too!
Teens
Teens can enjoy a variety of fun activities including crafts, Girls Who Code, a gaming league, movie nights, DIY projects, and more.
Don't miss:
- The Playaway View collection features all-in-one video players preloaded with different stories for kids.
- The Playaway bookpacks that combine an audiobook with the print version for a fun read-along experience.
- The adorable collection of hedgehogs!
Our Picks
My daughter likes the art, game, and toy area in the back of the room. She always enjoys the different coloring pages and make-and-take crafts that are available to work on when we visit.
I love the large collection of audiobooks and Playaways offered by the library. They’re great for early readers and long road trips.
Librarian Fun Facts
If the librarian could visit any book...
Miss Diann would visit The Secret Garden because she’d love to see it after the big change. Miss Jenna would visit The Selection because it is a funny book about a princess who knows who she is.
Reuben Hoar Library
41 Shattuck St
Littleton MA 01460
(978) 540-2600
Editor's note: I love to visit the Reuben Hoar Library for adult selections as well! The library is small and very accessible, with well-curated collections. If you're a Regency romance fan like me (a little escapism is fun!), they're one of the few local libraries with an extensive paperback romance collection. I always seem to find exactly what I need, whether it's travel books, the latest fiction, or a TV series DVD, despite the compact size of the library. And, since the library is part of the Merrimack Valley Library Consortium, you can return your Littleton materials to any MVLC library.
Emily Classon has a Masters Degree in Library Science and loves to explore our local libraries with her daughter! All images courtesy Emily Classon.
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