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
Fall Storytime
Kids ages 2-6 are invited to join us for Fall Storytime from Sept. 16 through Dec. 11. 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
Pumpkin Decorating
Make your pumpkin scary or make it nice, any which way will suffice! You supply the pumpkin and we supply the rest to make your porch-worthy pumpkin the very best. This program is best suited for ages 3 and up. No-pre-registration is required.
Oct. 28 @ 4 p.m. - Dr. James Carlson Library
Dig Into Fossils!
All ages are invited to get a peek at the Fargo-Moorhead Science Museum’s collection of fossils when staff from the museum join us for an open house event in the Children's Room at the Main Library on Oct. 29 between 4 and 6 p.m.. Kids will also be able to make their own fossil, dig for real fossils, and experience other hands-on activities as we examine the history under our feet!
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.
Main Library
Nov. 2, Dec. 7
Dr. James Carlson Library
Nov. 16, Dec. 21
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.
Nov. 2 @ 10 a.m.
Dec. 7 @ 10 a.m.
Crafternoons
Crafternoons returns! 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.
Dr. James Carlson Library
Oct. 7-Dec. 16 from 3 to 4:30 p.m.
No Crafternoons on Oct. 28 and Nov. 11
Northport Branch
Oct. 8-Dec. 17 from 3 to 4:30 p.m.
No Crafternoons on Oct. 29
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.
Nov. 7 & 21 @ 10 a.m.
Dec. 5 & 19 @ 10 a.m.
Tumble Time for Toddlers & Preschoolers
Introducing Toddler/Pre-School Tumble Time events at the downtown Main Library this fall! Kids can wiggle and giggle with Fargo All Stars staff. Learn tumbling moves and shake your sillies out! We’ll start with a short, themed storytime and end with creative movement. Kids should come dressed to stretch, tumble and move. Classes are best suited for ages 2-6. No pre-registration is required. Upcoming dates:
Nov. 7 @ 11 a.m.: Feeling Grateful
Dec. 5 @ 10 a.m.: Jingle, Jingle
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.
Nov. 9
Dec. 14
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.
Nov. 12: Coyote Lost and Found by Dan Gemeinhart
Dec. 10: The (Mostly) True Story of Cleopatra's Needle by Dan Gutman
Libraries Dance!
F-M Ballet and Gasper's School of Dance will be at the Main Library at 6:30 p.m. for movement and fun! These storytimes are interactive with a brief dance lesson followed by stories and snacks, so wear clothes/costumes you can move in. Dance storytimes are geared towards children ages 3 and up. No pre-registration is required.
Nov. 13: Mermaids and Mermen
Dec. 4: Nutcracker Preview
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.
Nov. 14 @ 10 a.m.
Dec. 12 @ 10 a.m.
Train Days
November is National Model Railroad Month and we're once again celebrating with trains! The Red River Modules Model Railroad Club will return to display and demonstrate model trains at the Main Library on Saturday, Nov. 16 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 17 from 1 to 4 p.m. in the Community Room. A unique LEGO train set will also be on display this year! A special train-themed storytime will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday in the Children's Room, and kids are invited to make a train craft throughout the day. All ages are welcome and no pre-registration is required.
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!