Welcome to the Youth Services Department
Welcome to the youth area of the Matheson Memorial Library. We offer a wide variety of materials for circulation, a community space for families to gather, and programming for all ages.
Youth Services Department Welcome
What can you do in the library?
Browse and check out books, audiovisual materials, toys, maker kits, and STEAM labs. Many of our games and hands-on activities are available for circulation.
What can you do outside the library?
Visit the library garden; stop by to play, have a picnic, and enjoy the sunshine or join one of our outdoor programs in the garden.
What can you do virtually or at home?
Ask Ms. Jennifer to pick out books for your kids.
Check out our digital resources on the website and on Pinterest.
Check out booktalks and more on our youtube channel.
Kids up through middle school can submit their creative work to Reading Colors Your World.
How can you support the youth services department?
If you would like to contribute directly, you can shop our wishlists for crafts and supplies and for books.
Jennifer Wharton, Youth Services Librarian, jwharton@elkhorn.lib.wi.us
Read and Grow
Are you a listener? Then it’s time to Read and Grow! Birth and up can join this program by picking up a folder in the youth services area, adding their name to a caterpillar on our wall, and watch your caterpillar grow as you read together with your grown-ups, friends, and family! Earn prizes along the way, from stickers to a special reading bag.
Reading Explorer
Are you an independent reader? Then get ready to be a Reading Explorer! Kids of all ages who are reading on their own, or with a little help, can join this program by picking up a folder in the youth services area. As you fill in the reading challenges, you’ll earn a cool reading bag and then be able to choose iron-on patches for your bag and free books.
Reading Colors Your World
A monthly collection of the best writing and art of Elkhorn students from preschool to middle school. Available to the public in the library each month, located above the early readers.
Submission guidelines
Who can submit?
– Kids in preschool through middle school.
What can they submit?
– Art, including photographs, and writing, both fiction and nonfiction. All submissions should fit
on an 8×11 sheet of paper and be no more than 10 pages long.
How do you choose what is included?
– Library staff will review submissions for quality, appropriate content, and space.
How do kids submit their work?
– Fill out a submission form and include it with your art or writing. If you are submitting it electronically, send to
jwharton@elkhorn.lib.wi.us. Hard copies can be dropped off at the library or sent via the school delivery van by teachers.
Don’t forget to proofread, edit, and turn in your best work!
We cannot return your submissions, so make sure you submit a photo of your art or a copy of your writing.
On-Going Programs:
Paws to Read
Mondays at 4:15 pm: Feb. 20, 27, Mar. 6, 13, 20, Apr. 3, 17, 24, May 1, 8, 15, & 22
Families are welcome to interact and play, listen to stories, and read to the furry friends visiting us from the shelter. Live animals will be present and confined to the Storyroom. This program is sponsored by the Lakeland Animal Shelter.
Family Storytime with Miss Esther
Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9:30 am
Tuesdays: Feb. 21, 28, Mar. 7, 14, 21, 28, April 4, 11, 18, 25, May 2, 9, 16, 23
Thursdays: Feb. 16, 23, Mar. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, April 6, 13, 20, 27, May 4, 11, 18, 25
Meet and connect with other families of all shapes and sizes in our community during Miss Esther’s Family Storytime. Puppets, music, and hands-on activities will keep you coming back for more! Library staff will offer storytime during school breaks.
Pokemon Club
Tuesdays from 4-5 pm: Feb. 28, Mar. 14, 28, Apr. 11, 25, May 9, & 23
Are you a fan of Pokemon? Bring your friends for an hour of crafts, cards, and movies in the Community Room. We’ll spend the first half playing and crafting and then watch some classic Pokemon shows for the second half. Kids are welcome to bring their own cards to play or share, but staff cannot supervise trading.
Winter Wigglers
Wednesdays at 10 am: Feb. 15 & 22
Has winter made you extra wiggly? Join Ms. Andrea for a fun, active storytime and activities with lots of movement. Families with children of all ages are invited to participate.
We Explore Nature
Wednesdays at 10 am: March 1, 8, 15, 22, April 5, 12, 26, May 10, & 17
Join Ms. Andrea for a nature-based storytime and activities. Learn about stars and leaves, frogs and ants, and much more! Weather and season permitting, there may be outdoor adventures in the Family Garden.
Project Explore
Wednesdays from 3:30-5:30 pm: Feb. 15, Mar. 1, 15, Apr. 12, & May 3
Project Explore offers kids an opportunity to work on projects using the library’s materials with limited staff assistance as needed. Kids will have access to art supplies, cardboard, tools, sewing materials, and much more and are encouraged to come up with their own projects, crafts, and artwork. Attendees need to be able to work on their own, use materials and tools safely and responsibly, and clean up their work space when finished. Caregivers are encouraged to attend with and supervise young children.
If you are interested in learning new skills, please attend our Kids Make It! sessions for instructional workshops.
Bookaneers
Thursdays at 4:30 pm: Mar. 2, Apr. 6, & May 4
Late Bookaneers
Thursdays at 6 pm: Feb. 23, Mar. 16, Apr. 20, May 18
Become a Bookaneer and get started on an exciting journey into the world of reading!
Ages 5 and up are invited to join us for a fun and engaging book club experience. Kids will have the opportunity to choose books from a variety of genres, reading levels, and formats as well as participate in fun crafts and book discussions and be the first to see new books! Younger children may attend with a caregiver to supervise. Sign up for reminders, booklists and more at https://forms.gle/JHPTce8pcvw9WTik9. Miss book club? Request a virtual book club bag at https://forms.gle/VtMLkAD58Wbipzmh8.
Fact Finders
Thursdays at 5 pm: Feb. 16, Mar. 9, Apr. 13, & May 11
Do you love facts? Join our nonfiction book club and become an expert!
Ages five and up are invited to join us in exploring a different subject each month through books and hands-on activities. At each meeting we will discuss what we’ve learned, work on projects related to the topic, and decorate a fact board to share with the library showing off our new information. Kids will then choose books for the next month’s topic from a variety of reading levels and formats. Younger children may attend with a caregiver to supervise. Sign up for reminders, booklists and more at https://forms.gle/JHPTce8pcvw9WTik9.
I like to move it!
Fridays at 10 am: Feb. 24, Mar. 10, & Apr. 14
Get out of the house and join Miss Esther from EASD Parent Connections for thirty minutes of story-based movement and fun! End your heart-healthy movement session with a tasty snack that’s good for your body and your taste buds. Children of all ages are welcome.
Kids Make it! Let’s Sew
Fridays from 3:30-5:30 pm: Mar. 3, 10, 17, 24, & May 12
Kids Make It! is designed for school-age kids and teens to learn and practice hands-on skills, specifically sewing and using sewing machines. Staff will provide hands-on instruction, access to sewing machines, tools, and fabric, and assist kids with their projects as needed. Attendees should be able to follow directions, safely operate a sewing machine, and wait patiently for assistance and instruction. More experienced sewers can bring their own machines or projects to work on and caregivers are encouraged to accompany and assist young children.
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Maker Workshop: Candlemaking
Stargazing at Matheson Memorial
