Special Library Programs (dates/times)

Watch for these exciting programs. There will be something for children of all ages.

Storytimes

Preschool Storytime (dates/times)

Preschool storytimes are designed especially for children ages three years through Kindergarten. Enjoy thirty minutes of stories, songs, creative dramatics, fingerplays and fun activities.

Sneak, Peek, and Read (dates/times)

Enjoy our newest story program, designed for children ages 18 through 24 months and their special adults. Come share stories, songs, and delightful activities with your special young one.

Tot Time (dates/times)

Tot Time is a 6-week program designed for two-year-olds and their special adult friends. Class size is limited so that the children will have the best experience possible. Join us with your special two-year-old for twenty minutes of fun, stories, songs, and sharing.

Bag O' Books

Bag O' Books is a service designed to meet the theme requests made by early elementary teachers. Each bag contains 10 books based on a theme. These bags will circulate for 21 days. A patron may search by the title "Bag o' Books" to see all available themes. Reserves may be placed on these bags in the same manner as books.

Bag O' Books available now:

Board Books for Toddlers

Discover books for your youngest readers near the Parenting area. These are small board books just the right size and shape for young explorers. Discover nursery rhymes to enjoy with your child in this area too!

Parenting Collection

The Parenting Collection is full of fun and informative materials for parents and child care providers. Planned for parents of children from birth though sixth grade, the Parenting Collection has become a favorite of caregivers as well. This collection includes books, videos, and cassette tapes. Selected topics in the Parenting Collection are books and videos for children; health & fitness; consumer interest (which toys, etc., are best and safest); traveling with children; sibling rivalry; children with special needs; developmental stages of children; families and much more.

Teacher Resources Collection

The teacher resources collection has been created to ensure that teachers will be able to find information for their use in a quick and accessible manner. It is primarily designed for teachers of preschool through sixth grade. Parents and youth group leaders who are looking for activities for their children will also find practical ideas here. A reference area in this collection ensures that some helpful information will always be available. Fingerplays, storytimes, bulletin boards, craft activities, and games are included in books and in magazines such as Totline, School Library Media Activities Monthly, and Copycat. Other topics include multicultural activities, seasons, science, nature, Kansas, holidays, games, and children's books. These and many other ideas and activities are in the Teacher Resource Collection that is located in the Youth Services area of the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library.

CD-ROM Collection

Youth Services has a variety of CD-ROM software available for check out for Macintosh and IBM compatible computers. Patrons may check out 2 computer programs, per library card user, for 21 days. Explore Nature, Science, Math, and History with fun games to play.

Cassette Tapes and Compact Discs

We have a wide variety of sound recordings for everyone, from music through books on tape. You may enjoy classical music, lullabies, songs from movies, nature noises; and sound effects are available. Discover popular music artists such as Raffi; Hap Palmer; Rosenshontz; and Sharon, Lois and Braun.

Computer Games

Explore learning and fun with seven educational computers located in the Youth Services area. The computers are available on a first come first served basis. You play with Arthur, have a sleepover with Huggly, or play MathBlaster.  These are just some of the exciting computer experiences you can have. There is something for everyone, preschool through elementary school age.

Videos

We have a large collection of children's entertainment videos. To make finding the videos easier we have divided them into categories: Animated; Disney; Early Education; Folk and Fairy Tales; Feature Films; Music; Spanish language; and TV (including the Reading Rainbow series). You many check out up to five entertainment videos per library card. The loan period is three weeks. Instructional and educational videos are also available for your use. These are shelved by subject area with the nonfiction books. They also check out up to three weeks.

Reading Chests - Tot Boxes

Reading Chests are thematic "story times in a box" appropriate for use with children ages three through five. Tot boxes are developed for children who are two years old. These boxes are available to preschool teachers and daycare providers. Each Chest or Box contains books, manipulative objects and activity sheets. Many contain cassette music tapes. The Chests or Boxes may be checked out for your own Storytime or to supplement your curriculum. To reserve the Chests and Boxes call 580-4565 during Library hours, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.; Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; and Sunday, 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The Chests and Boxes check out for one week, from Sunday to Saturday.

SAKS - School Age Kits

Referred by some as 'activity centers in a bag', SAKS are designed to encourage 6-12 year olds to use language, science, math, and social skills in a recreational setting. SAKS circulate by reservation, for one week, to centers, which serve 6-12 year olds in after-school, vacation and summer programs. To reserve a SAK, call 580-4565 during Library hours. Topic areas for the SAKS are:

Sneak Bags

Sneak Bags are thematic collections of board books and realia appropriate for use with children 18 - 24 months. To reserve the Sneak Bags call 580-4565 during Library hours, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.; Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; and Sunday 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The Sneak Bags check out for one week, from Sunday to Saturday.

Sneak Bag themes are:

Come Visit Us!

We welcome visits to your Public Library! We will present a unique booktalk or story program for your class or youth group. Groups of adults who are interested in children are also welcomed. You may have the opportunity to browse and check out material. We can also provide a customized tour of the Library. Discover the computer center, special books for toddlers, beginning readers and chapter books. Find out about space, snakes and steaks. Reservations may be made by calling 580-4565. Please call early to schedule your visit.

Visits to You!

Youth Services Staff from the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library would welcome the opportunity to speak with groups of elementary, middle school or high school students about Library programs and services. Library staff is available to attend parent or teacher meetings, Back to School Nights or other special school functions. You may call 580-4565 to request a visit to your school. Please call early to schedule.

Library Storytellers to Preschools and Daycare Centers

Youth Services storytellers bring the magic of stories, songs, fingerplays and Boomer the Bear to area early childhood care facilities on a monthly basis. Please call us at 580-4565 to request a reservation for this special service.

Book Orders

Subject or theme book orders for teachers of preschool and elementary aged children are available from Youth Services. The book order may consist of up to ten items. These could be books, videos, audiotapes and CDs or a combination of media. The book order must be requested at least one week before it is picked up. The items have the regular check out time of three weeks. A teacher may place a book order by calling 580-4565.