Youth Services
Welcome to the Brown Public Library’s Youth Services Department! In addition to an exciting and ever-expanding selection of books, our library offers fun programs that promote early literacy, kindergarten readiness, community connection, and a lifelong love of reading and learning.
Storytimes:
During the Summer our Wednesday and Saturday Storytimes are outside in our Treehouse Pavilion. Since are school-aged friends are out of school, these Storytimes both welcome youth from ages 0-6ish and their siblings. Join us outside for books, songs, a craft, and playtime afterwards.
Baby Toddler Storytime
Join us for Baby Toddler Storytime every Wednesday morning at 10 am. We will sing songs, read short books, and play together afterwards. Our Baby Toddler Storytime targets our youngest friends ages 0-3. Older siblings are always welcome.
Family Storytime
Join us most Saturdays at 10:30 am for our 0-6 Storytime. Book choices will generally target preschoolers, but all are welcome to join in the fun! A craft and playtime always follow.
LEGO Programming
Our LEGO Club is currently paused for the summer. We will resume our weekly Thursday afternoon program in the fall.
LEGO Club: Join us for just for fun LEGO building with our library’s enormous collection of LEGOS every Thursday from 3 pm – 4:15 pm in the Community Room.
LEGO Challenges:
Registration is now open for our Summer LEGO Challenge on Saturday, August 1st from 10:30am – noon. Youth ages 5-12 are welcome to participate in this fun LEGO building competition. Everyone gets 45 minutes to build then we vote for our favorite creations across three different categories. Winners receive a small prize and everyone gets pizza afterwards! This event requires registration because it is limited to only 25 total participants. You can register your child here:
BPL SUMMER LEGO CHALLENGE 2026 REGISTRATION
LEGO Robotics Kits Available to Explore:
The library now two awesome LEGO Robotics Kits available to explore thanks to a grant from the Vermont Space Grant Consortium. LEGO builders can reserve these kits for use in the library building in two hour sessions. Kids under the age of 12 must have a responsible adult actively supporting them while they use the kits. You can find more information about the Robotics Kits here.
Golden Dome Book Group
Our Golden Dome Book Group is a bimonthly book group targeting kids approximately ages 8-12. We meet every other month to discuss a book, enjoy snacks, and do an activity related to the book. Our book group members always vote for the next read–which is usually either a past or present Golden Dome Nominee or winner. Come join us!
Gives us a call or email bplyouthlib@gmail.com to find out what book we are currently reading and request a copy.
YA Book Group
Our newest book group at BPL targets youth in grades 7 and up. We will meet every other month to discuss a book chosen by the group’s members. Book choices will be in the younger range of Young Adult or the upper range of Middle Grade depending on participants preferences. Snacks will always be served!
Other Programming
Our library also hosts a variety of other programs including seasonal LEGO challenges, craft activities, and our annual Summer Reading program. Just check our calendar to see what is happening next.
Red Clover Book Award
The library has all the nominees for the Red Clover Book Award. These books are aimed at children in grades K-4.
Golden Dome Book Award
The library has all the books on the Golden Dome Book Award Master List. The master list titles have been selected to satisfy the reading interests of youth in grades 4-8.
Green Mountain Book Awards
The Green Mountain Book Awards are a reader’s choice award for students in grades 9-12. Co-sponsored by the Vermont Department of Libraries and the Vermont School Library Association, this program is designed to introduce to high school students some excellent books for their pleasure reading.
Calendar of Events
Explore our calendar of events and join us for something fun!
Storytimes:
Baby Toddler Storytime
Join us for Baby Toddler Storytime every Wednesday morning at 10 am. We will sing songs, read short books, and play together afterwards. Our Baby Toddler Storytime targets our youngest friends ages 0-3. Older siblings are always welcome.
Family Storytime
Join us most Saturdays at 10:30 am for our 0-6 Storytime. Book choices will generally target preschoolers, but all are welcome to join in the fun! A craft and playtime always follow.
Book Bundles
Get a bundle of books, specially picked for your child(ren)! Fill out the form to request your bundle of books.
Reading is Fundamental Program
Brown Public Library is fortunate to have a contract with Reading Is Fundamental (RIF), the nation’s oldest and largest children’s and family literacy organization, serving pre-kindergarten through fifth grade children in Northfield. The mission of this program is to inspire passion for reading and learning through innovative literacy programs and services. Children may chose a free new book for ownership three times a year. The local funds for this program have come from generous donations from the Sid and Cecelia Lance Family Foundation here in Northfield. In Northfield, the library, through the RIF program, brings over 1,200 books to more than 300 children each year. The library is always looking for volunteers to help with the ordering, distribution, and programming for our RIF program. For more information about RIF, please contact the Youth Services Librarian.
