The library strives to cultivate a love of reading, learning, creativity and curiosity from the earliest age, so it’s not surprising that we have a lot to offer children aged 5 and under. Here we highlight the top five library resources for these young community members and their families.
We’ll start with what libraries are most famous for: books! Find age appropriate books and discover new favorite authors by browsing staff-curated booklists by topic, all available through our online catalog. Get personalized book recommendations with the library’s BookMatch service. Dive into the world of children’s literature for babies, toddlers and preschoolers by exploring the picture book, board book and Beginning to Read collection in the Early Literacy Area of the library. Listen along, using the library’s collection of Read-Along picture books with audio and Little Thinker Kits from the Library of Things. Experience the joy of sharing books together by attending a storytime. Youth Services staff are always delighted to help children and their families find the right books so a young child can get excited about reading together as early as possible.
The Story Room has always been my favorite spot in the library—so much magic happens there. Every Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday morning you will find Youth Services staff enthusiastically sharing interactive books, songs, rhymes and movement activities for ages 2 and up. On Wednesday and Thursday mornings, we offer Baby Storytime for ages birth to 24 months, followed by Baby Playgroup. For those of you who speak other languages besides English at home, we offer monthly World Language Storytimes in various languages, such as French, German, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish. We often host guest storytime presenters, such as authors and illustrators, and special storytime series like local favorite Storytime Jeff. During the summer months we take storytime outside for Outdoor Storytime in the courtyard green at Princeton Shopping Center. And if you can’t make it in person, explore our Storytime Shorts and Storytime Songs & Rhymes on the library YouTube channel, or create your own storytime with our Storytime At Home resource.
1000 Books before Kindergarten
1000 Books Before Kindergarten (1KBBK) is an early literacy program offered by the library to promote reading to newborns, infants and toddlers. Designed for children from birth to age 5, this program helps children develop the tools they need to become proficient readers and encourages parent and child bonding through the activity of reading together. The goal is to read 1000 books with your child before the child reaches kindergarten age. Incentives for parents and children are provided along the way. With the support of this program, we hope that you and your child will develop a love of reading and an appreciation for the library and discover the joy in reading together.
Children’s Programs and Events
In addition to storytimes and 1KBBK, the library offers lots of fun, free and engaging programs and events for children and families all year long, including our annual Summer Reading program, where the five and under set can earn incentives for taking part in early literacy activities. Take your little one on an adventure by utilizing the library’s Museum Pass program to visit world renowned museums in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania for free. A library program specifically designed for children under five is Playtime Fun, weekly drop-in play sessions that offer an opportunity for young children to play with their caregiver in a relaxed, fun, social learning space. At our annual Preschool and Kindergarten Fair families can streamline their search for the best school for their child by meeting representatives from Princeton-area schools all in one place. Not to mention perennial favorites like the Preschool Drive-In, Stuffed Animal Sleepover and Baby Beach Party! Sign up for our Kids, Teens & Families monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all our current and upcoming events.
To round out our “Top five for under 5,” I’d be remiss if I didn’t include the children’s space at the library. The library’s third floor provides space and services specially designed for children and families, especially the Early Literacy Area. Explore the collection and displays, play with interactive toys, attend a children’s program, try out a giant floor puzzle, and get creative with an art box. For lactating mothers we also offer a quiet, semi-private Nursing Room. There’s so much to discover when you visit the library!