Check out our summer reading newsletter at gfjlibrary.org/summer.
Summer Story Times
Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays from 7/8-8/7
Join us for a summer story time! The programs at the parks are intended for children ages 2-5; they do not require registration. Mother Goose Story Time at the library is for children ages birth-2, and registration is recommended at the links below.
10am – gfjlibrary.libcal.com/event/14421558
11am – gfjlibrary.libcal.com/event/14421563
Family Fun Fridays
Fridays from 7/11-8/8 @ 11am
Join us for for family fun on Fridays! These programs are intended for children 6 and under with their caregivers. No registration is required.
Color Explorers
Thursdays from 7/10-8/7 @ 2pm
Kids entering grades 1-3 can join us for stories, activities, and lots of fun activities on Thursdays. Registration is required for each week at gfjlibrary.libcal.com
Tween Workshops
Wednesdays from 7/9-8/6 @ 2pm
These workshops for kids entering grades 4-6 are from 2-3pm and include a variety of activities. Registration required for each week. gfjlibrary.libcal.com
Kids’ Street Art
Wednesday, 7/10 from 6-7:30pm
Kids entering grades 1-6 can learn how to take their creations to the sidewalk! Artist Eric Maruscak will teach tips and techniques to help us create art in front of the library. Registration is required beginning on 6/23 at gfjlibrary.libcal.com/event/14421593.
Barnyard Friends with Farmer Jen
Wednesday, 7/16 from 6-7:30pm
Meet and greet some of the animals from Edwards Petting Farm at the library! No registration is required.
Building Club
Thursdays, 7/17 & 7/31 from 6-7:30pm
Use Legos and other materials to build anything you want or follow along with our ideas to create something new. Team up with friends to expand your creativity or work by yourself. Anything’s possible! No registration is required.
Nate the Great
Wednesday, 7/31 @ 6pm
Join us for a one-man juggling show with comedy, audience participation, bits of music, and fire! No registration required.
Chalk Art Extravaganza
Wednesday, 8/6 @ 6pm
Let’s fill the sidewalk with color! Artist Eric Maruscak will help the whole family create amazing art. No registration required.
Little Italy Endicott Farmers’ Market Kids Corner
Thursdays from 4-7pm
Visit us at the Kids Corner every other Thursday for themed crafts, building, coloring & activities! You can find us on Witherill Street between Hill and Odell Avenue. We hope to see you there!
Read to a Therapy Dog
Thursdays, 6/5, 7/10 & 8/14 from 6-7:30pm
Come to the Children’s Room to visit and read with the therapy dogs! Reading to our specially trained dogs will help boost kids’ reading skills and confidence in addition to helping with social and emotional skills. Plus, they’re adorable! No registration is required.
The 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program is a fun, exciting, and free way to start your child on the path to success! Any child ages birth to 5 years can participate, just follow these steps:
- Register: Sign up at your local 4CLS library, or online at 4clsny14.readsquared.com
- Track your reading: Use the reading trackers to record how many books you are reading.
- Every Book Counts: Even if your child wants to hear the same book again and again, you can count it each time. You can also count the books your child hears in storytime, in daycare or preschool, or with a friend or family member, as long as your child listens to the entire book.
- 100-Book Milestone: Each time you read 100 books, bring your reading tracker to the library to receive a new sticker on your Reading Achievement Chart. Take home a new reading tracker sheet for your next 100 books.
- 1,000 Books: You did it! Come celebrate at your library and see your child’s name placed on a bookplate in the library collection.
- Keep on Reading: Don’t stop at 1,000! Keep reading together; there’s more learning ahead!
One thousand books may seem like a lot, but if you read just one book a night, you’ll meet your goal in less than 3 years. If you read three books a night, you could reach your goal in just one year! Ask our friendly staff for suggestions—we’re here to help you on your journey to 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten!