Story & Craft Times
Dragons Love TacosThursday, February 20th at 5:30pm
Craft: Making Play-Doh tacos
Princess Smartypants
Saturday, March 7th at 11am
Craft: Make & decorate a cardboard crown. You are invited to wear a princess dress or any outfit that makes you feel like a prince or princess.
Pirates! Captain Flinn and the Pirate Dinosaurs
Saturday, March 28th at 11am
Craft: Decorate your own Treasure Chests
The Lumberjack’s Beard
Saturday, April 4th at 11am
Craft: Paint a small pot and plant some seeds. You are invited to wear flannel today!
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Thursday, April 23rd at 5:30pm and Saturday, April 25th at 11am
Craft: Making pipe-cleaner butterflies to take home.
Birthday Bonus - Is it your birthday?
Let us know it's your birthday month and you will get a birthday certificate, sticker & coupon for a free book from our book sale cart. Take a picture with our special birthday hat, too!Native American Bead Looming
Tues & Weds - February 18 & 19 between 10:30am and 4pm
Learn how to weave a bracelet on a simple loom like Native Americans. Ages 10 and up. Drop in anytime within the set hours - if you are interested in coming, give us your name and we will reserve a loom for you. You will get to keep the loom. Take a beading pattern to plan your colors when you pre-register. All materials provided.Taco Thursday!
February 20th at 5:30pm
Story and craft time featuring Dragons Love Tacos. Make play dough tacos! Ages 3 and up. Drop in!Gimp Lacing
Friday, February 21st - 10:30am to 4pm
Drop in any time within the set hours. Kids will learn to make braided clip-ons with gimp (plastic string). Braiding and weaving gimp stimulates creativity. Carol Pineo will be on hand to teach you!Laundromat Library
Book Drive through March 20th
We are seeking donations of children's books to make them available for children with little access to books. Books will be placed in inner city laundromats where children and families spend time waiting. Children will be invited to enjoy a book and take it home if they'd like.Reading Buddies with Bright Spot Therapy Dogs
Friday, January 31st from 3:30pm - 5pmWednesday, February 19th from 11am - 12:30pm
Reserve a spot to read to Gwen, the sweetest greyhound. Gwen loves to be read to. Bring a book, or choose one here! Stop into the library or call during open hours to pre-register for a 20 minute time "read to a dog" slot. For grades K and up.
Playgroup
Every Wednesday and Friday 10:30am - 12:30pm For ages birth - 5 years
Play, Learn and Connect at Granby Library’s PlaygroupsNo Playgroup on the following dates: February 14th, 19th & 21st.
When Granby, Amherst or Belchertown schools are delayed or closed due to inclement weather, there will be no playgroup.
Playgroups provide times where moms and dads, grandparents, caregivers, children and babies can meet in a relaxed and friendly environment. The Granby Library Playgroup meets every Wednesday and Friday at the Granby Library between 10:30am. and 12 noon, is organized and run by the Collaborative for Education. Children have the opportunity to have fun, make new friends and develop many new skills through informal play. Parents and caregivers have a chance to spend quality time with their children while developing relationships with other families. The library’s Playgroup Facilitator, Marti Wiechman, is an excellent resource for parenting skills and techniques.
How it works - Playgroup takes place in the Children’s Program Room at the Granby Library. Families with children from birth to age 5 (and siblings) are welcome to drop in to Playgroup anytime. Playgroup Schedule: Free play time (including a special weekly activity) takes place from 10:30am. to 11:30am, a healthy snack is served at 11:30am, a circle time and story concludes Playgroup at 11:45am. There is no Playgroup when Granby Schools or the library is closed. Join us!
After School Homework Area
The Program Room within the Children's Room is available for quiet study and homework on weekday afternoons, 2:30pm - 4pm. For ages 8 and up. Homeschoolers - ask, any time the room is not in use.1,000 Books Before Kindergarten
Make sure your child is as ready as they can be for one of the biggest moments of their little life - starting school. Read them 1,000 books before kindergarten & keep track with this nation-wide program.The 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program in a nutshell:
1. When you enroll your child you will receive a folder that contains your first 100 books chart. For every book read, cross off one circle on your chart.
2. When you have read 100 books to your child, bring the completed chart to the library. Your child will get his or her name on our Wall of Fame (great photo op!), a sticker and a new chart for the next 100 books.
3. After every 100 books, make sure to pick up your sticker and the next chart.
4. When your child reaches 1,000 books, he or she will receive a book and a Certificate of Achievement.
5. Finished all the steps? Congratulations! You did it! You gave your children a priceless gift - the readiness to read!
Every child in your family can participate, from infant to Kindergarten!
Does reading 1,000 books seem totally overwhelming? We promise, it's not as hard as you think! 3 books per day for 1 year = 1,095 books . 1 book per day for 3 years = 1,095 books.
You can:
Read the same book over and over and over
Read in any language
Storytimes count too!
It's simple, fun and we'll help you get there!
Book Club Bookworms
The first Friday of each month at 3:15pm
A book club for ages 8-12.Fri, Feb. 7 -3:15pm. Next Best Junior Chef Lights, Camera, Cook! By Charise Mercile Harper
Fri, Mar 6 - 3:15pm. Thirteen Story Treehouse
*Copies of the books are available at the library.
Registering for Events
Please stop in to the Library or call during open library hours to pre-register for events.
Library phone: 413-467-3320Library hours:
T, W, F 10:30am - 5:30pm
Thurs 1-8pm
Sat 10:30am - 1:30pm
Seeking Reach-Out Readers
Would you like to be a guest reader at a Granby Preschool on behalf of the Granby Library? You are invited to volunteer! Reach Out Readers is Granby Library’s early literacy program that arranges for a volunteer reader to provide a story time for children in a Granby Childcare Center. To become a volunteer we require you to complete a volunteer application/volunteer guidelines packet, a CORI background check and volunteer orientation. We put together books for you. Storytimes may include books, songs, a fingerplay or felt board fun. Our readers are usually needed on a weekly or bi-weekly basis.If you are interested in becoming a Reach Out Readers please contact: Janice McArdle, Youth Service Librarian, Granby Free Public Library by email janicemcardlegpl@gmail.com or telephone 413- 467-3320 during open library hours.
ABC Mouse at the Library
New!!
Children's Resources
Recommended by Library Staff
Children's Room Wish List
- New toys, games, puzzles, craft sets, etc for use as prizes or for library use.- Children's books (new or used)
- Small toys & trinkets (McDonald's toys, party favors, etc.)
- Wrapped candies and bagged candies
- Craft supplies: markers, white glue, glue sticks, construction paper, feathers, etc.)