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
Paws for Reading
Reading therapy pets from Pet Partners of the Red River Valley are available on the second Saturday of each month (through May) to listen to children practice their reading in a relaxed, informal setting. Kids in Kindergarten to 6th grade are invited to register for a 15-minute session with one of our non-judgmental listeners. Sessions begin at 10 a.m. at the Main Library. Bring your own books to read or choose from a selection of library books. Call the Children’s Services desk at 701.241.1495 to register for the current month.
Dec. 14
Christmas Tree Trimming Storytime and Craft
Celebrate the magical Christmas tree decorating tradition at this special storytime and craft event geared towards kids ages 2-6. Catch the spirit of the season at the Main Library on Dec. 16 at 6 p.m. as we listen to stories and then make a dazzling ornament or two to hang on your tree! No pre-registration is required for this event.
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.
Dec. 19 @ 10 a.m.
Mind Mysteries LIVE!
Stop by the library between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. and join Dr. Ben Balas from NDSU Psychology for Mind Mysteries LIVE! We'll have an all-new experiment to help us learn how kids' brains help them understand what they see. Whether you've already taken some Mind Mysteries home or want to try one out for the first time, come join us to make your mark for science! Mind Mysteries LIVE is for school-age kids.
Dr. James Carlson Library
Dec. 21
LEGO Mania Design Contest
Show off your creativity at the Fargo Public Library's annual Lego Mania Design Contest! Kids 12 and under are invited to participate. Build an original creation at home, then bring it to the Main Library on Monday, Dec. 30 between 11 and 12 p.m. Judging will begin at 12 p.m. and winners will be announced at 12:45 p.m. Games and other activities will take place in the Children's Room to pass the time while we await the judges' decisions.
Pre-registration is required and can be completed by calling 701.241.1495. Before you begin to build, please check out the rules and guidelines. Good luck and GET CREATIVE!
For more information on this or any other library program, please call Children’s Services at 701.241.1495 or send Children's Services an email.
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.
Jan. 9 @ 10 a.m.
Feb. 13 @ 10 a.m.
March 13 @ 10 a.m.
April 10 @ 10 a.m.
May 8 @ 10 a.m.
Going Places Book Club
We're reading all over the place in the Going Places Book Club! Kids in grades 3-7 are invited to join us monthly at the Main Library at 4 p.m. as we experience each month's featured book through related activities, discussion, snacks, and crafts. Pick up your book and register for the current month at the Main Library, or call 701.241.1495.
Jan. 14: Frizzy by Claribel A. Ortega
Feb. 11: Mystery In Rocky Mountain National Park by Aaron Johnson
March 11: Wild Robot by Peter Brown
April 8: Nic Blake and the Remarkables by Angie Thomas
Winter Storytime
Kids ages 2-6 are invited to join us for Winter Storytime from Jan. 27 through April 16. Enjoy stories, songs and fingerplays, while learning school-readiness skills, developing a love of reading, and having great storytime fun! No pre-registration is required.
Mondays at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. - Main Library
Tuesdays at 10 a.m. - Northport Branch
Wednesdays at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. - Dr. James Carlson Library
Crafternoons
Crafternoons will return on Jan. 27. Makers ages 15 and younger are welcome to stop by the Dr. James Carlson Library on Mondays or the Northport Branch on Tuesdays each week to get their craft on! Note: the same weekly project will be done at both locations. No pre-registration is required.
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.
No January session
Feb. 1 @ 10 a.m.
March 1 @ 10 a.m. (Dr. Seuss!)
Aprill 5 @ 10 a.m.
May 3 @ 10 a.m.
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!