Children’s Room
Overview
The Newburyport Public Library Children's Room provides materials and programs for children and families from birth through sixth grade. We also provide assistance to teachers, caregivers, and others working with children. Services that we offer include: story times for various ages, school vacation programs, and Summer Reading programs.
The Children's Room collection contains picture books, board books, beginning readers, beginning chapter books, fiction books, non-fiction books, audio books on CD and cassette tape, magazines, VHS videos, and DVD's. The Children's Room also provides three public computers with Internet access and word processing capabilities.
General Information
Library Cards
Any child over the age of 5 who is a Newburyport resident may get a library card. A brief form must be filled out and a parent/guardian signature is required. If you have a library card from another certified Massachusetts library you may use it in the Newburyport Public Library.
Homework Help
We can assist children with choosing materials for school assignments and choosing books for book reports. We also welcome the opportunity to work in cooperation with area schools and teachers to meet curriculum requirements. Teachers may fill out our Assignment Alert Form to notify the library of upcoming assignments that will require library or online research.
Museum Passes
The Children's Room offers passes to the following museums: Museum of Science, New England Aquarium, Boston Children's Museum, and Zoo New England (Stone or Franklin Park Zoos). One museum pass per family per day may be reserved up to sixty days in advance. You may reserve your pass online using your library card number and PIN (usually the last four digits of your phone number). If you need to cancel a museum pass reservation please call the library at 978-465-4428 x235.
Safe Child Policy
All children 8 years old and younger must be accompanied and supervised by a parent/caregiver/other responsible adult (over the age of 14.) At the discretion of a responsible adult a child 9 year and older may be left unattended for the period of time needed to select materials, complete a homework assignment, or attend a program. The child must know how to reach the responsible adult in case the need should arise.
School Visits and Tours
We welcome classes to come and visit the library. Please call ahead to arrange a date and time so that the librarians can provide the best service and meet the needs of your class.
Display Case
The Children's Room has a display case in which we showcase various collections. If you have a collection that you would like to show off, call or stop by to sign up. We maintain a list of children interested in providing a display and will call you when the next available month is free.
Story Time
Story times are offered for children from 18 months to 6 years old. All story times require advance sign–up. In general the fall session runs from October to November, winter session from January to February, and spring session from March to April. When school is cancelled due to weather, story times are also cancelled.
Mother Goose
is for children ages 18 months – 35 months old with a parent/caregiver participating. Children engage in a half–hour of songs, finger plays, and short stories. Mother Goose meets either Tuesdays or Thursdays from 10:30 – 11:00.
Story time for 3 year olds
meets Fridays from 10:00 – 10:30. Children participate in a half hour of stories, songs, and finger plays followed by a quick craft project.
Story time for 4 – 6 year olds
meets either Tuesdays from 1:30 – 2:15 or Wednesdays from 10:00 – 10:45. Children listen to stories and complete a craft project independently.
Check the Library Event Calendar or call the Children's Room at 978-465-4428 ext. 235, for more information.
Special Programs
The Children's Room offers regular special programs and events throughout the year. These include sing–alongs, storytellers, magicians, animal programs, special art and craft projects, and science programs. We also offer a fantastic Summer Reading program from mid–June to mid–August. Programs are sponsored by the city of Newburyport and by the Friends of the Newburyport Public Library. Please check the Library Event Calendar for a complete listing of programs, or call the Children's Room with any questions at 978-465-4428 ext. 235.
Find a Book
Use the Library's online Kid's Catalog to find just the right book for school or for fun. The MVLC Kid's Catalog includes only children's library materials. Check our events calendar for storytime hours.
