Children's Department

The Children's Services Department offers a variety of materials and programming for children and their families.

Check out this short introductory video to meet the Children's Librarians at the Fargo Public Library.

Upcoming Events for Kids and Families

Adventure Begins at Your Library with the Summer Reading Challenge

Are you looking for a little adventure to spice up your summer? You can be sure to find it at the library! The theme to the 2024 Summer Reading Challenge is Adventure Begins at Your Library, and we're bringing the fun and prizes as we read from June 3 to August 17. Find out how to start tracking your reading on the Summer Reading Challenge page (registration opens May 20) and join us for some adventurous stories and experiences at the library!

Summer Storytime

Kids ages 2 to 6 are invited to join us for a summer of stories at the library! Each week during the Summer Reading Challenge, beginning June 4 through July 31, storytimes will take place at the Dr. James Carlson Library on Tuesdays at 10 a.m. and at the Main Library on Wednesdays at 10 a.m. With stories, songs and fingerplays, we'll be having super storytime fun! No pre-registration is required.

Summer Movies

Join us for free movies and popcorn every other Friday this summer at the Dr. James Carlson Library. Movies start at 1 p.m. Adults must accompany children age 9 and younger.
July 5: Home (PG)
July 19: Raya and the Last Dragon (PG)
August 2: Ice Age (PG)

Kindergarten Success! Storytime

Get your child ready for Kindergarten by exploring literacy and STEAM topics through music, stories, songs, and play at the Main Library. Library staff will share tips you can use to instill a love of reading in your child. Activities follow each storytime and all children receive a FREE book! These events are appropriate for children ages 3-5.
July 6 @ 10 a.m.
August 3 @ 10 a.m.

Crafternoons: Airborne Arts and Crafts

Up, up, and away! This special summer session of Crafternoons, at the Northport Branch on July 6 at 3 p.m., will feature crafts that fly! Stop by and get crafty this summer! Featured crafts are best for kids ages 3 and up. No pre-registration is required.

Monster Movie Monday

Monster Movie Monday is HERE! Monsters, Inc. (rated G) that is! Come watch the movie and have some popcorn too at the Main Library on July 8 at 11 a.m. We'll also make a not-so-scary monster yarn craft. This program is best suited for ages 4 and up. No pre-registration is required.

Family Craft Nights for All Ages

Get crafty with us this summer! Kids, teens and adults are all welcome to join us at the Dr. James Carlson Library to release your creativity! At each craft session, we'll have a variety of styles to choose from depending on age and skill level. All materials will be provided and no pre-registration is required.
July 9 at 6 p.m.: Mosaics
July 23 at 6 p.m.: Hand Sewing Projects

Namaste Toddler/Preschool Yoga

Introducing Toddler/Pre-School Yoga by Mojo Fit! It's never too soon to learn how to relax, breathe, pose, and find your center, all while having fun at the Main Library with a certified yoga instructor from Mojo Fit. Come dressed to stretch and move. We have a few mats available for kiddos to use, but if you have your own, bring it along! This class is best suited for ages 2-6. No pre-registration required.
July 11 @ 10 a.m.
August 8 @ 10 a.m.

Pirate Booty Camp

Brush me barnacles, it's a pirate training camp for kids ages 4 to 10! Join us at the Main Library on July 15 at 2 p.m. to get your pirate name, learn the vernacular and some rowdy pirate sea shanties, and hear stories from professional pirate Anne Bonnie Bigbeard (aka entertainer Aimee Klein) and library staff. Pirates will then have the chance to practice their pirate skills and craft a pirate accessory. No pre-registration is required.

Baby Rhyme Time

Babies ages birth to 24 months are invited to join us for the next sessions of lapsit storytimes at the Dr. James Carlson Library. Baby Rhyme Time is an opportunity for parents to share songs, fingerplays, short books, rhythms and rhymes with baby while introducing books and the library! Each session concludes with open play time. No pre-registration required. One child per grown-up lap please.
July 18 @ 10 a.m.
August 1 & 15 @ 10 a.m.

Below the Plains for Kids and Families

Tom Askjem digs history - literally! The self-taught citizen archeologist makes his living digging for historical treasure on sites where outhouses (which were also used as garbage pits) and homesteads used to sit. There he unearths history and uncovers stories from items that might otherwise be lost forever. On July 22 at 2 p.m. at the Main Library, Askjem will highlight two digs in spots from the Wild West era - Fort Pembina, ND, and Tackett Station, a former stagecoach stop in South Dakota. He'll share some of his finds and explain how he researches and locates his targets. He'll also explain what led to the unique occupation that has taken him across the Midwest, produced two books (so far), and is subject of his YouTube channel "Below the Plains." No pre-registration is required for this event.

Family Trivia Nights

Rally your relatives and join us for family trivia night at the Main Library. Each month we'll feature a different theme and see who knows the most! Family trivia night is open to individuals, families, or teams of all ages - trivia works best for kids who are reading independently. Families are invited to pre-register at the beginning of the current month. Prizes for our top winners, and snacks for all!
July 25 at 6 p.m. - From Marmaduke to Bluey: Famous Dogs

Dial-A-Story

If you’ve ever wished you could listen to a story, a poem, or even a joke at any time, day or night, now you can! Call the Library’s Dial-A-Story phone line at 701.298.6927 anytime and choose the children’s option; new recordings are available every Monday. Selections are recorded by Children’s Library staff and are up to 5 minutes in length. Dial-A-Story recordings can be accessed by any phone.

Library Program Evaluation

Attended one of our programs? Tell us about your experience! This is a post-program survey to help us bring more events to our patrons. Your feedback means a great deal to us; thank you for your time in filling out this form.

Contact Us

If you have any questions or comments, please contact the Children's Services Department. We'll be happy to help!