Our mission at the Fargo Public Library is to provide effective and efficient library services to meet our Community’s personal, professional, and lifelong learning needs, and this includes supporting our nontraditional and homeschooling families in their work and play. We look forward to serving you through a wide variety of homeschooling resources available for both parents and children.
Winter/Spring Homeschool Events
Chemistry Connections - Jan. 22, Main Library: Make some connections at the library - chemistry connections, that is! Join Dr. Graham Wyllie from Concordia College's Science Academy for some cool hands-on chemistry experiments. Learn which connections will cause a reaction as Dr. Wyllie mixes learning with a bit of humor for a lot of fun! Pre-registration is required and may be completed online or by calling the Children's Dept. at 701.241.1495. Registration opens on Jan. 8.
Grades 1-4 @ 1 p.m.
Grades 5-9 @ 3 p.m.
Let's Paint Birds: Watercolor Lesson for ages 9-12 - Jan. 30 @ 2 p.m., Main Library: Professional artist and instructor Barbara Benda will teach and guide students through the process of sketching and watercolor painting a Black-Capped Chickadee. Pre-registration is required and may be completed online or by calling the Children's Dept. at 701.241.1495. Class size is limited to 12 students. Registration opens January 16. In case of a cancellation, please call 701.476.5985 and/or email cmason@fargolibrary.org. This will allow any students on a possible waiting list an opportunity to attend.
History Alive! Book Club - Main Library: Kids ages 8 and older are invited to experience history in an entertaining and thought-provoking way at the History Alive! Book Club. Join us as we experience books and history through fun activities, lively discussion, snacks and more! Pick up your book and register at the Children's Desk in the Main Library. Registration opens, and books become available, one month in advance of the meeting.
Feb. 13: Ben and Me: An Astonishing Life of Benjamin Franklin by His Good Mouse Amos by Robert Lawson
April 10: By the Light of Fireflies: A Novel of Sybil Ludington by Jenni Walsh
All About Artemis - Feb. 26 @ 1 p.m., Main Library: What is Artemis? Learn all the details at this program introducing kids to NASA's multi-mission plan to return humans to the Moon. Students from MSUM's Dept. of Physics and Astronomy will join us for some hand's-on activities and learning fun. This program is geared toward kids 6 and older. No pre-registration is required.
Intro to Engineering for Kids - March 23 @ 2-4 p.m., Main Library: Come join NDSU's Society of Women Engineers at this open house event to explore different STEM-related topics through hands-on activities! We'll have stations that teach students all about the different disciplines of engineering, including mechanical, civil, electrical and more! This event is open to school-age kids and no registration is required.
Crochet Basics - April 17 @ 2 p.m., Main Library: Learn crochet basics with designer, teacher and artist Cari Jehlik! We'll talk slip stitches, chains, and single crochets, then practice making and reading those stitches. If time allows after some practice with these, we'll add a couple bonus stitches. This program is most appropriate for ages 8 and older. Space is limited and pre-registration is required which may be completed online or by calling the Children's Dept. at 701.241.1495.
Meeting Rooms
The Fargo Public Library has meeting rooms available for use by the general public at each of our three locations. Technology fees, reservations, and guidelines for meeting rooms are covered by Fargo Public Library's Meeting Room Policy.
Dr. James Carlson Library
Community Room (Capacity 70)
Christianson Conference Room (Capacity 15)
Main Library
Community Room (Capacity 100)
Dawson Conference Room (Capacity 15)
Fercho Conference Room (Capacity 20)
Northport Library
Community Room (Capacity 50)
Reservations for these rooms may be made by filling out an online application
Library of Things and Special Collections
The Library of Things includes nontraditional items that can help to enhance your curriculum and learning experiences. All items are available to check out and can be requested for pick-up at any Fargo Public Library location.
Special Collections include Topic Totes and Story-On-the-Go Kits.
Language Learning
Mango Languages
Become conversational in any of 60 languages with Mango Languages. A self-paced, simple learning environment makes it easy to start learning Spanish, French, German or another language. Mango also contains English courses conducted in 14 different languages. Mango is available on both mobile devices and desktops. A microphone is preferred.
Homework Help for Elementary Students
The Fargo Public Library subscribes to multiple online encyclopedias and information databases directed toward elementary age students. These resources may be accessed from home or in the library. Some do require signing in with a library card number. Your last name in capital letters will be your password, unless you previously changed it.
Homework Help for Teens
The Fargo Public Library subscribes to multiple online encyclopedias and information databases directed towards teens. These resources may be accessed from home or in the library. Some do require signing in with a library card number. Your last name in capital letters will be your password, unless you previously changed it.
Parent/Teacher Resource Center
The Parent/Teacher Resource Center is a collection of books and interactive materials located in the Children's Room at the Main Library. Materials of interest to homeschool families include homeschooling guides, activity books, Hooked on Phonics, Hooked on Math and Hooked on Spelling kits, ND Studies Project books, and most all of the Caldecott, Newberry and ND Flicker Tale award-winning titles.