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
Battle of the Books Tournament
March Madness isn’t the only battle going on this spring! Join us for the Fargo Public Library’s eight annual Battle of the Books. Sixteen books will battle, but only one will win! Stop by the Main Library every 2 weeks beginning Saturday, February 22 and vote to make sure that your favorite advances to the next round. You can also cast your vote online through the library’s website. Correctly predict the winner and you could win a prize! For more information about the Battle of the Books, contact Children’s Services at 701.241.1495.
Feb. 22 – March 8: Round 1 voting
March 10 – March 22: Round 2 voting
March 24 – April 5: Round 3 voting
April 7 – April 19: Round 4 voting
Winner announced Monday, April 21
Northern Narratives Jr.
Grab your pencils and paper, kids! The Fargo Public Library is accepting writing and art entries for its kids-only edition of the library’s literature publication. Kids in Kindergarten through 6th grade are welcome to submit entries in any of the categories including short stories, poetry, comics, nonfiction essays, drawing, or photography. Entries will be judged and prizes awarded for 1st and 2nd place in each category. All submissions will be included in the online literary magazine (provided they meet eligibility requirements and guidelines). A full list of guidelines, including how to submit entries and the entry form is available online or at any Fargo Public Library location.
Entries accepted March 1 through April 30
Winners announced on May 26
Northern Narratives Jr. Online Magazine will be available on June 20
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.
Feb. 24 & 25: Paper Bag Sharks
March 3 & 4: Bubble Art
March 10 & 11: Coil Pots
March 17 & 18: Rainbow Tambourines
March 24 & 25: Dinosaur Hat
March 31 & April 1: Pom Pom Launcher
Family Reading Rumpus
Let the rumpus begin! Designed for families to enjoy together, these interactive events invite children and parents to dive into the world of books through storytelling and hands-on activities at the Main Library at 6 p.m. Create lasting memories and bond over stories - all before bedtime! Storytime/activities are geared towards ages 2-6, but children of all ages are welcome to attend. No pre-registration is required.
Feb. 25: Dragons Love Tacos
March 25: The Art Safari
April 29: May Day Madness
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.
March 1 @ 10 a.m. (Seuss-tastic Storytme)
April 5 @ 10 a.m.
May 3 @ 10 a.m.
Mind Mysteries LIVE!
Stop by the library between 10 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
March 1
April 5
Dr. James Carlson Library
March 15
April 19
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.
March 6 & 20 @ 10 a.m.
April 3 & 17 @ 10 a.m.
May 1 & 15 @ 10 a.m.
Toddler/Preschool Tumble Time
Introducing Toddler/Preschool Tumble Time! Kids can wiggle and giggle with the Fargo All-Stars at the Main Library at 11 a.m. Learn tumbling moves and shake your sillies out! We'll start with a short storytime and end with creative movement. Wear clothes that you can move and grove in.
March 6
April 3
May 1
PBS Kids Writers Contest Workshop
Get out your pencils: it's time for Prairie Public's PBS Kids Writers Contest! Kids in Kindergarten through 5th grade are invited to join Prairie Public for a fun workshop at the Main Library on March 8 at 10 a.m. Learn all about writing, illustrating, and crafting your own story for the contest. No pre-registration is required.
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.
March 8
April 12
May 10
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.
March 11: Wild Robot by Peter Brown
April 8: Nic Blake and the Remarkables by Angie Thomas
Libraries Dance!
F-M Ballet and Gasper's School of Dance will be at the Main Library at 6:30 p.m. for stories, movement and fun! These sessions are interactive with a brief dance lesson followed by stories and snacks, so wear clothes/costumes you can move in! Dance storytimes are geared toward kids ages 3 and up.
March 12: Cinderella Preview
April 9: Construction Dance-truction
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.
March 13 @ 10 a.m.
April 10 @ 10 a.m.
May 8 @ 10 a.m.
Wondery Art & Adventure
Step into a world of creativity and exploration at the Main Library! Explore fine art concepts like color, shape, and composition through hands-on activities to help develop fine motor skills and patience. Children ages 3 to 5 (with an adult) have the opportunity to explore, create, and learn. Registration for each session begins two weeks before event.
March 20 @ 11 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!