Youth Programming
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STORYTIMES and PROGRAMS
Inclusive Storytime
Thursday, 5/8 and 5/22
11:00am
All ages
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Join Ms. Kris for a monthly sensory storytime program. 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. All ages and abilities welcome.​
May's Themes: May 8 - Flowers; May 22 - Fruit
Pajama Storytime
Wednesday, 5/14
6:00pm
All ages
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Stop by the library before bed for some stories, songs, and snacks. This month's program will feature tales about the fuzzy and furry animals we keep as pets! Kids can come in their pajamas and even bring a favorite stuffed animal or blanket!​
Drop-In Themed Activities: Lilo and Stitch
Saturday, 5/17
11:00am-1:00pm
All ages
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Drop by for a Lilo and Stitch-themed scavenger hunt, coloring pages, and more!
Sing-Along with Ms. Emily
Friday, 5/2 and 5/16
11:45am
Babies through age 5
LOCATION: GROVER CLEVELAND PARK
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Sing-Along with Miss Emily. Program takes place at the Grover Cleveland Park on the Great Meadow, weather depending. Please bring something to sit on as we outside on the grass. If it's raining, we'll move indoors to the Library.
Toddler Time
Monday, 5/5 and 5/19
11:45am
Ages 2-3
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This storytime program is intended for toddlers ages 2-3 with their parent/caregiver. Program features stories, hands-on sensory exploration, and fine- and gross-motor practice. Program meets weekly at 11:45am and lasts about 45 minutes.
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Wee Time Wiggles: Lap Littles and Crawlers
Tuesdays, 5/6 - 5/27
10:30am
Babies up through about 12 months
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Join Ms. Kris for a morning of stories, lap bounces, rhymes, wiggles, giggles, and music. This program is intended for our very youngest patrons with their adult. Program is designed with non-walking and crawling babies in mind.​​
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Wee Time Wiggles: Totting Toddlers
Tuesdays, 5/6 - 5/271
1:30am
Ages: 12-24 months
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Join Ms. Kris for a morning of stories, rhymes, wiggles, giggles, fingerplays, movement and music. This program is intended for our young wiggly ones who are gaining more confidence with walking (and even running!) as they discover their wonderful world!
ENCOURAGING YOUNG READERS...
Drop-In Reading Buddies
Tuesdays, 5/6-5/27
3:30pm-4:30pm​
Best for grades K-3
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Do your kids love to read? Or...do you want to encourage their reading more? Then bring them by the Library on Tuesday afternoons this May for new Drop-In Reading Buddy program with 8th grade students from GCMS's service leadership class. During this pilot program, a few student volunteers will be at the Library ready to read, color, and play games with kids. There is no registration for the program—it's a drop-in program only.​
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The Caldwell Public Library Reading Buddy program is accepting applications and new sign-ups through
the middle of May
Get started here​​
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The Caldwell Public Library Reading Buddy program pairs a child with a teen volunteer. Volunteers act as reading mentors— they are not tutors. The program is for emerging readers all the way through kids who love to read and just need someone who will encourage their passion!
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IMPORTANT: The number of available spaces is dependent on how many volunteers we have in the program.
There is often a waiting list. ​
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Sign your child up for our 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program!
Stop by the Library to get started!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
BOOK CLUBS!!!
​Read with Me Book Club
Thursday, 5/1 and 5/15
3:30pm
Grades K & 1
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Read with Me is a transition between storytime and book clubs. Parents/caregivers and their kids/emerging readers are invited to join Ms. Kris for a shared read-aloud and activities. Kids are also encouraged to bring a favorite book to show the group.
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Meeting dates for 2024-2025 are on Thursdays at 3:30pm:
10/17, 11/21, 1/16, 2/6, 2/20, 3/6, 4/3, 5/1, and 5/15.​​​
One and Only Ivan Series Book Club
Thursday, 5/8
3:30pm
Grades 3-5
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Kids in grades 3-5 are invited to join us for the 3rd meeting of our One and Only Ivan series book club. We'll be focusing on The One and Only Family this month. Sign up for updates.​​
ELEMENTARY AGE AND TWEEN CLUBS AND PROGRAMS
Create with Josie
Friday, 5/9 and 5/23
3:30pm
Ages 5-10
Sign up for the event on 5/9 (Mother's Day)
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Sign up for the event on 5/23 (Chalk Paint)
​Join Josie for an afternoon craft activity. Best for ages 5-10. Please register, as supplies are limited. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Lego Club
Friday, 5/16
3:30-4:30pm
Best for ages 4+
Sign up here (walk-ins welcome!)
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Kids can stop by after school on Friday 4/4 to build and create with LEGOs! Creations will be kept on display for the week (depending on space). Best for kids ages 4+.
Pokémon Club
Monday, 5/19
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).
STEM Buddies
Wednesday, May 21
4:00pm-4:45pm
Grades K-5
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Teen volunteers lead children in grades K-5 in fun hands-on STEM based projects and experiments. Sign up as space is often limited and we cannot otherwise guarantee a spot.
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Introduction to Sports Card Collecting
Wednesday, 5/28
6:00pm
Ages 8-14
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This program will introduce kids to sports collecting, including skills like identifying parallels, researching card value, storing cards, set collecting and more. Each participant will receive 25+ cards to add to their collection. Program is hosted by Robert Cowper, owner of Pack Attack Parties, and open to kids/teens ages 8-14.
TEENS
Follow The Caldwell Public Library Teen Action Committee on Instagram! @cplnjteens
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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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Meets the 1st Wednesday of the month during the school year, no meeting in May
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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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Volunteer as a Caldwell Public Library Reading Buddy!
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Teens age 13+ can attend a virtual orientation meeting to learn more!​​
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Meetings happen on the 1st Monday of the month at 3:30pm except January 2025. January's meeting will be held on Wednesday 1/15.
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