Wednesday, January 27, 2021

For months, Fond du Lac area teens have enjoyed receiving monthly boxes containing a surprise book, a treat and sometimes more. This wildly successful program now will be offered for preteens as well.

Parents and guardians of younger children now may sign up youth to receive a Story to Go bag that will contain a free, gently used picture book or chapter book (parents choose which type of book to receive) and more in February. Each bag will contain a different book, and parents with more than one child should register each child separately. Just 40 such book bags will be available.

Registration for the Story to Go youth book bags runs from Monday, Feb. 1 at 9 a.m. to Sunday, Feb. 7 at 4 p.m. Book bags then may be picked up between Saturday, Feb. 13 and Friday, Feb. 19.

This is one of many programs planned for youth and teens during January. Upcoming opportunities include:

Sturgeon Spectacular take-and-make kit:

  • Friday, Feb. 12 to Sunday, Feb. 14: Celebrate Fondy’s annual Sturgeon Spectacular with a special take-and-make kit available this weekend only. Kits are first come, first served and supplies are limited. Limit of one kit per child.

Teen programming:

  • Book with a Snack: Teen Book Boxes: Sign up for this month’s edition of the subscription-style program; February’s theme is “Head over Heels.” Each box will include a book, a snack and fun trinkets. Registration begins Monday, Feb. 1 at 9 a.m. and closes Sunday, Feb. 7 at 4 p.m. Teen book boxes may be picked up between Monday, Jan. 18 and Sunday, Jan. 24. 
  • Discord: Looking for a way to connect with other teens (and maybe the library, too) in this socially distanced world? Join our Discord server. Visit fdlpl.org/teen to find a link to register for this teen-only forum.
  • For the latest on teen happenings, check out the new FDLPL Teens instagram account @fondylibraryteens, or visit the FDLPL Teens page on Facebook.

Youth & family programming:

  • Among Us Virtual Escape Room: All month: You're on The Skeld just doing your tasks and you see someone vent behind you. You can't tell who it was. Cams are down in security, so to escape, you're going to have to finish your tasks and try to find the impostor ... before they find you. Recommended for ages 9 and up. Find the link at fdlpl.org
  • Virtual storytimes: Storytime continues twice a week online at facebook.com/fondylibrarykids. On Mondays at 9:30 am, log on for Tiny Tales: bite-size storytimes each week, featuring a story and a song, rhyme, or activity. Then on Fridays at 9:30 am, join Cuenta Cuentos: Cada semana un cuento o historia, con una canción, poema o juego en español.
  • Drawing Lessons with Katie: Thursdays at 4:30 p.m. at facebook.com/fondylibrarykids. Tune in and learn to draw something new and fun each week. No registration necessary.
  • Dial-A-Story: Want a storytime on demand? Call Dial-A-Story! With stories, chapter excerpts, jokes and more for a variety of ages, there’s lots to explore. Dial (920) 322-1959, follow the prompts, and choose which story you want to hear! Stories will change every two weeks. 
  • Free Kit of the Week: Stop by the library to pick up a kit of supplies for the week’s activity! Kits are first come, first served and supplies are limited. Limit of one kit per child. No registration needed; no age limits for any of the kits:
    • Saturday, Feb 6: Make a Gnome Friend
    • Saturday, Feb 13: Pocket Zen Garden
    • Saturday, Feb 20: Friendship Bracelets
    • Saturday, Feb 27: Storytelling Cubes

Fond du Lac Public Library operates two locations: the Main Library at 32 Sheboygan St. in downtown Fond du Lac, and FDLPL Express at 1132 E. Johnson St. near Festival Foods. It also runs Chapter 52 Bookstore at 52 Sheboygan St. For more information on any of these locations, visit fdlpl.org.