The main New Rochelle Public Library and the Huguenot Children's Library offer sessions of free, enriching programs for infants, toddlers and preschool children, and their parent or caregiver, each season. Some programs require registration, which is accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, and require a New Rochelle Public Library card.
Baby Steps for babies 3–12 months and babies 12–18 months, provides an early library and socialization experience for babies and their parents or care-givers, in half-hour workshops of music, movement and finger games, on a drop-in basis. Saturday sessions are held at various times of the year at the main library.
Bouncing Babies for children 6–24 months, is a Mother Goose program of songs, music, movement and a story, is a six-week summer program at both libraries
Nursery Rhyme Time combines stories, songs and finger plays for children ages 12–24 months, and takes place on a weekly basis during sessions held in the fall, the winter-spring, and in the summer, at both libraries.
Toddler Time engages 2-year old children and their parent or caregiver in music and games, and takes place on a weekly basis during sessions held in the fall, the winter-spring, and in the summer, at both libraries.
Pre-School Story Time for children ages 3 – 5 years, includes stories, songs, and a take-home craft, and takes place on a weekly basis during sessions held in the fall, the winter-spring, and in the summer, at both libraries.
Music and Movement introduces children ages 12–24 months to songs, finger plays, and fun moves, and is led by a professional musician/educator.
Mommy or Daddy and Me provides an early socialization experience, through organized play and group activities, for children ages 12 months to 35 months.
Bedtime Stories for children B ages 3–5 years (pajamas and stuffed animals encouraged), is held during the summer at both libraries, and in special sessions other times of the year at HCL.
Let’s Pretend for children ages 3–5 years, introduces theater through games, songs, nursery rhymes, and an on-stage experience, during six weeks in the summer at both libraries.
Vacation Week Programs When schools are out of session, the libraries are in full swing with daily entertaining and enriching activities for school-aged children. Free of charge, the programs include live performances, films, nature presentations, craft workshops, and more. Seasonal Programs and Events Holidays, National Library Week, cultural heritage months, and other annual events are celebrated in programs and activities that frequently help school-aged children “connect” with good books.
BID Family Saturdays Free activities designed for families take place a few Saturdays each month, September – June, at the library and Library Green. Presented by the New Rochelle Downtown Business Improvement District (link to www.newrochelledowntown.com) in partnership with the Public Library, the City School District and PTA Council, and the Department of Parks & Recreation, the BID Family Saturdays feature International mini-Fests, performances, craft workshops, films, scavenger hunts, and many other free enriching, entertaining and educational activities.
Summer Reading Program and Activities School-aged children may choose from a wide range of free summer workshops and programs held each weekday for six-weeks at the main library and the Huguenot Children’s Library. The programs are designed to encourage participation in the New York State Summer Reading Game theme, and provide children with enriching educational experiences through the summer.
Summer Fun on the Patio Free, supervised activities for school-aged children are held on the Huguenot Children’s Library’s patio each weekday during the summer. The activities include ping- pong, badminton, hopscotch, relay races, jump rope and tetherball, as well as arts and crafts projects. Participants may use their library cards to borrow chess sets, hula hoops, sand toys and other games suitable for old-fashioned fun. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Ready, Set, Grow! First Grade Incentive Program New Rochelle’s seven public elementary schools and parochial school take part in the reading incentive program that encourages first graders to read thirty books within seven weeks. Culminating celebrations for the whole family are held for each school, and acknowledge each students’ reading achievement with a certificate and gift, as well as a live performance by a popular children’s entertainer and refreshments.
International Music and Dance Vibrant performances by musicians and costumed dancers relating various cultural traditions are presented in a weekly series each summer, and in individual concerts throughout the year, as the library continually strives to showcase local and regional talent representative of the community’s great diversity. Library Scavenger Hunts Children in grades two – five and their parents are given a list of clues before they are sent into “the stacks” of the library to search for answers. Held a few times during the school year, the Scavenger Hunt allows children (and adults!) learn about the tremendous resources the library has to offer and how best to use those resources, while having fun.
