Youth Programming
STORYTIMES and
SPECIAL PROGRAMS
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Stories with Montclair Speech Therapy
Monday, 6/23
11:30am
Ages 2-4
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Join Montclair Speech Therapy's Occupational Therapist Ms. Tracy for a morning of stories and more at the Caldwell Public Library!
Wee Time Wiggles: Colors Colors Everywhere
Tuesday, 6/24
11:00am
Ages 6 months - 2 years​​​
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Join us for a fun, interactive and uplifting morning of stories, songs, music, movement, and more all summer long! We'll use a variety of props like music instruments, parachutes, bean bags and more to inspire baby's curiosity and offer opportunities to practice fine and gross motor skills. Stories and songs will introduce babies to the wonderful world of speech, language, and reading while lap bounces, tickles, and rhymes will offer time for babies to bond with their adults!
Rainbow Pride Storytime
Thursday, 6/26
11:00am
All Ages (Best for Ages 2-6)
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Join us for a fun and colorful storytime celebrating love and, of course, rainbows. This program will feature books with LGBTQ representation. All ages welcome!
Drop-ins welcome or sign up.
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Sing-Along with Ms. Emily
Fridays, 6/13 at 11:45am
6/27, 7/11, 7/18, 7/25 at 11:00am
Babies through age 5
LOCATION: GROVER CLEVELAND PARK
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Sing-Along with Miss Emily. Program takes place at Grover Cleveland Park on the Great Meadow, weather depending. Please bring something to sit on as we are outside on the grass. If it's raining, we'll move indoors to the Library.
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Toddler Play Group
Monday, 6/30
11:00-11:45am
Ages 2-4
This is a drop-in program
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Stop by for a morning of free play, coloring, and more to promote fine and gross motor skills as well as peer socialization.​
Colors Colors Everywhere: Lap Littles
Tuesdays, 7/1 - 8/12
10:30am-11:00am
4-14 months
Best for tummy-time through crawling babies
Sign-up here​
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Color Colors Everywhere: Totting Toddlers
Tuesdays, 7/1 - 8/12
11:30am-12:00pm
12-24 months
Best for standing through toddling babies
Sign-up here​
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​Colors colors everywhere—what will baby discover today??
Join us for a fun, interactive and uplifting morning of stories, songs, music, movement, and more all summer long! Please bring your little one to the program you think fits their developmental stage the best.
Plus, we'll use a variety of props like musical instruments, parachutes, bean bags and more to inspire baby's curiosity and offer opportunities to practice fine and gross motor skills. Stories and songs will introduce babies to the wonderful world of speech, language, and reading while lap bounces, tickles, and rhymes will offer time for babies to bond with their adults.​​
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Colorful Character Storytimes
Mondays, 7/7-8/11
11:00-11:45am
Ages 2-6
Sign-up here​
Kids are invited to join us on Mondays at 11:00am at the Caldwell Public Library for a fun morning featuring activities themed around some of kids favorite characters! Each week will feature a different color and highlight characters and related activities. ​​​
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Toddler Play Group
Thursdays, 7/10 - 8/14
11:00-12:00pm
Best for ages 2-6 but all are welcome
CLICK HERE to Register for the Sensory Storytime program
CLICK HERE to Register for the weeks incorporating Yoga
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Join Ms. Kris on Thursdays this summer for a weekly sensory storytime program based on the colors of our emotions. We'll be joined by Miss Samantha from Indigo Yoga for two weeks in July, too (7/24 and 7/31).
Children and their families are invited to join us each month for an hour of stories and sensory exploration. We'll have activities for kids to explore, including those that provide practice with fine- and gross motor skills. ​
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Once Upon a Craft
Fridays, 8/1, 8/8, 8/15
11:00am​
Ages 5-8
Sign-up here​
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Kids ages 5-8 are invited to join Josie for a morning storytime and craft program this August.
PJ Storytime: Unicorns
Wednesday, 8/13
6:00pm
All ages
Sign-up here​
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Stop by the library for a unicorn (and rainbow) themed storytime program! Snacks and treats provided. Kids are invited to wear their pajamas and bring their stuffies—unicorn and rainbow themes encouraged but not required!
ENCOURAGING YOUNG READERS
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Sign your child up for our 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program!
Stop by the Library to get started!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
ELEMENTARY AGE AND TWEEN CLUBS AND PROGRAMS
Color Our World Writing Club for Kids
Tuesdays, 7/8 and 7/22
1:00pm
Ages 8-12
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Join Josie for a Color Our World Writing Club meeting. Kids will work on their own creative pieces and may choose to use the time for this summer's Katherine Applegate Color Your World Writing Contest, also open to ages 8-12. Entries are due by 7/31.
MOVES TO MONDAYS IN JULY AND AUGUST
Mondays, 7/14, 7/28, and 8/11
3:30-4:30pm
Best for ages 4+
​​Kids can stop by the Library to build and create with LEGOs! Creations will be kept on display for the week (depending on space). Best for kids ages 4+. Drop-ins welcome.
Dragon Masters Book Club
Thursdays, 7/24 and 8/7
3:45pm
Grades 1-3​
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Fans of the Dragon Masters series are invited to stop by the Library for an afternoon of themed activities!
Wings of Fire Book Club
Thursdays, 7/31 and 8/14
3:45pm
Grades 4-6​
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Fans of the Wings of Fire Series are invited to stop by the Library for an afternoon of themed activities!
A Rainbow of Colors on My Plate
Thursday, 7/10
2:30pm
Ages 4-7​
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Join ShopRite at the Library to learn about eating the colors of the rainbow! We'll even make a tasty rainbow out of fruits and vegetables!
Pokémon Club
Mondays, 8/4 and 8/18
3:30-4:45pm
Best for ages 5-10
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Do you have a kid who loves Pokémon or is just getting introduced to it? Have them join us for Pokémon Club! Activities like:
- Pokémon coloring pages and drawing time
- Bring your own cards to show others
- Time to hang out with other Pokémon fans during the club!
Plus, everyone who attends will leave with 1 Pokémon card to add to their collection (while supplies last).​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
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Color Adventure Challenge
Wednesday, 8/6
3:30pm
Ages 4-10​
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Kids are invited to join us at the library for a colorful series of puzzles, challenges, riddles, and games! How many will you solve?​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
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SUMMER NATURE PROGRAMS
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Mighty Migrations with Essex County Environmental Center
Tuesday, 7/22
3:30pm
Ages 5-10​
Registration required
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Butterflies add color, beauty and grace to a garden. Together, we can support our pollinators through conservation efforts. Kids will make native wildflower seed balls that will grow flowers chosen to attract and support our pollinators. Presented by Essex County Environmental Center.​
Animal Masks with Essex County Environmental Center
Tuesday, 7/29
3:30pm
Ages 5-10​
Registration required
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We’ll explore what makes our New Jersey Wildlife unique through examination of skulls, fur, feathers, tracks and more. Then we’ll craft our own animal masks to transform into wild creatures! Presented by Essex County Environmental Center.
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Colorful Birds with Essex County Environmental Center
Tuesday, 8/5
3:30pm
Ages 5-10​
Registration required
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We are lucky to have a diversity of backyard birds in our neighborhood, including American Goldfinch, Northern Cardinal and Eastern Bluebird. We’ll explore what makes birds unique by examining beaks, wingspan, weight and bird song. Then we’ll use our creativity and watercolors to paint representations of our favorite birds. Presented by Essex County Environmental Center.
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Nature Window Mosaics with Essex County Environmental Center
Tuesday, 8/12
3:30pm
Ages 5-10​
Registration required
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Suncatchers capture seasonal light and magic, transforming it in dazzling rainbows that dance around your room. We’ll make artful pieces that scatter joy as they light up your day, all from nature that we carefully collect around the library yard. Presented by Essex County Environmental Center.
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ZOOPHORIA: WILDLIFE SHOW
Monday, 7/21
4:00pm
All ages
Registration required
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​Zoophoria is back this summer at the Caldwell Public Library for their interactive, hands-on wildlife program for kids and families.​​​
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SUMMER ART PROGRAMS
Color Our World with Park Ave Art Studios
Wednesday, 7/23
4:30pm
Ages 5-8
Registration required
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Park Ave. Art Studios will be here with an art project for kids ages 5-8.
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Color Our World with Park Ave Art Studios
Wednesday, 7/23
5:30pm
Ages 9-12
Registration required
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Park Ave. Art Studios will be here with an art project for kids ages 9-12. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
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Color Our World with Montclair Art Museum
Wednesday, 7/30
4:00pm
Grades 2-5
Registration required
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Montclair Art Museum will be here with an art program for kids in grades 2-5. Registration limited and required.​​​​​​​​​​​​​
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TEENS
Follow The Caldwell Public Library Teen Action Committee on Instagram! @cplnjteens
PROGRAMS FOR GRADES 6+
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Zine Workshop
Wednesday, 7/9
4:30pm
Grades 6+
Registration required
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Teens in grades 6+ are invited to join us for two afternoons of art with GCMS Middle School Teacher Ms. Sciancalepore this summer. This program is a Zines workshop. Teens will get to create their own unique zines! Registration is required for each program.
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Snack and Paint
Wednesday, 7/16
4:30pm
Grades 6+
Registration required
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Teens in grades 6+ are invited to join us for two afternoons of art with GCMS Middle School Teacher Ms. Sciancalepore this summer. This program is a Snack and Paint summer workshop. The theme is summer palm tree sunset. Registration is required.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
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College Application Workshop:
Creating Your Best Common Application
Thursday, 8/14
5:30pm
Best for Rising Seniors (11th graders welcome)
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Join Anna Ren, a former Georgetown University admissions interviewer with over 15 years of experience in college admissions consulting. This program will focus on providing tips for creating a common application. Anna has been featured in publications like HuffPost and US News, and is the Co-Host of the "The College Admissions Podcast."​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
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Juggling Workshop: This Juggling Life
Thursday, 7/31
6:15pm
Ages 10+ and their Adult
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This program is presented by Lou De Lauro, the founder of Juggling Life, a nonprofit that brings joy and connection to children battling cancer through juggling, performance, and storytelling. This program will feature a Read-Aloud from January Fever: The Tyler Katarsky Story and a hands-on juggling lesson and a group activity.​​​​
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VOLUNTEERING
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GENERAL VOLUNTEERS
Teens interested in volunteering at the Caldwell Public Library this summer must first fill out a volunteer application. They will then be added to an email list to receive notifications when there are volunteer opportunities. At this time our volunteer opportunities are limited.
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CLICK HERE FOR THE VOLUNTEER APPLICATION
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READING BUDDY VOLUNTEER ORIENTATIONS WILL RESUME IN THE FALL. Orientations will be announced at the beginning of the 2025-2026 School Year.
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TEEN ACTION COMMITTEE
The Teen Action Committee is a group of teens dedicated to taking an active role in ensuring the library is central to the community. TAC members receive volunteer hours for attending and actively participating in brainstorming meetings, as well as completing projects. Learn more about TAC here.
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RECENT MAIN PROJECTS:
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JUNE MEETING—year recap and thoughts for the future
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Helped run a Lunar New Year program
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Planned and ran a "Super Secret Spy Club Program"
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Reader's Theater 2024 program
THE BASICS:
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Open to Caldwell/West Caldwell/West Essex students in grades 8-12.
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Meets the 1st Wednesday of the month during the school year. There are no meetings in May, July, or August.
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Join our Remind group for updates about meeting dates or email the youth services librarian at kchurchill@caldwellpl.org.
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Mobile app: rmd.at/taccpl (You will prompted to download the Remind app if you don't have it already installed.)
- web browser: remind.com/join/taccpl​
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