Youth Programs

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The McIntosh Memorial Library Children’s Department is a fun and safe place for children and families to gather and explore. Inside the Department we offer a Comfort Room, a Family Restroom, Program Room, and Play Area. All of the new children’s items are located just across from the Seating Area on the New Arrivals Wall. Please enjoy our growing collection of books, AV materials, magazines and Launchpad tablets. Special programming is offered for children of all ages. Please call Youth Services Director, Laci Sheldon, for more information about disability services. (608) 637-7151 x.5.

Register online for youth programs: Click Here

As of January 8th, 2024, McIntosh Memorial Library offers online registration for youth, tween/teen, and adult programs!
Not all programs require registration. Those that do will explicitly say that “registration is required” in order to participate.
Click above to register up to 3 children from one household at the same time for any programs currently requiring registration.

Storytime with Gordon the Dog

Fridays: February 16th and 23rd and March 1st and 8th from 3:45 – 4:30pm in the Aviary Seating Area.

Children of all ages and their families are welcome to attend and take turns reading to the dog. Staff can help with book selections. No registration is necessary. Gordon is a certified Canine Good Citizen and insured for pet therapy. Any further questions, please call Youth Services Director, Laci Sheldon, at (608) 637-7151 x.5.

The Call of the Frog

Tuesday, March 19th from 3:45-5:00pm in McIntosh Memorial Library’s Lobby

Hosted by Ben Johnston, of Valley Stewardship Network, a Wisconsin Frog and Toad Survey Volunteer.

This is an all ages program, and, great for families! Children are encouraged to attend.

Learn how to identify the 12 Wisconsin Frog calls. Expect to practice the frog calls as a group! Information will be provided about how to be a Citizen Scientist for the Wisconsin Frog and Toad Survey. No registration is required.

 

Solar Eclipse: A Library Celebration

Monday, March 18th through Monday, April 8th, 2024

Solar Eclipse Class: A PBS Playful Learning Workshop

Monday, March 18th from 3:45-5:00pm in the lobby for ages 7-17!

Registration is required. Please follow the link at the top of this page to register. Children may be dropped off for this class once their registration has been confirmed.

This class will explore the science of solar eclipse and utilize two short PBS KIDS show clips to expand upon the information offered. The PBS KIDS show clips total less than 5-minutes of the program. The Moon Journal is also a PBS KIDS resource.

Star Lab Planetarium For Families!

Wednesday, March 27th from 5:30-6:45pm in the library’s lobby.

A large, mobile Star Lab known as an inflatable planetarium will be constructed in the library’s lobby. Registered participants enter through a smaller-sized opening and take a seat on the floor. Instruction from the 30-year amateur astronomer and Star Lab lecturer will comment on the projections seen inside the inner surface of the Star Lab’s ceiling. Learn about the constellations, sun, moon, and eclipses!

Registration is required. Please follow the link above to register. This program is intended for children to be supervised by their parents or care providers and not dropped off.

 

Solar Eclipse Watch Party

Monday, April 8th from 12:30-1:30pm

Bring the family by the library to celebrate the total solar eclipse! Viroqua will experience partial coverage of the sun by the moon at around 12:49pm. Look through a high-powered, sun-safe, telescope a “solar scope” at the eclipse! Coverage of the total coverage eclipse will also be streamed on the library’s televisions.

Chess Club 65

On Wednesdays: January 3rd through May 15th from 4:00 – 6:00pm.

 All ages and all levels of experience are welcome. Coaching is provided by Chess Coach Tim Jenkins and other experienced chess players. Please bring your own board and materials if you can.

Registration for players age 12 and younger is required and ongoing. Register anytime between now and April 17th to play! To register, click the link at the top of this page, or, register in person when you come to play!

Children may be dropped off for this program once registered and with parental permission to sign themselves in and out.

 

Toddler Storytimes

Toddler Storytimes are every Wednesday from 10:30 – 11:00am in the Library’s Aviary Seating Area for youth ages 0-5.

Participants enjoy group stretches, rhymes, sing-a- longs, and stories read by Ms. Laci, Youth Services Director.

Youth Drawing Club

On Thursdays: January 4th – May 16th

from 3:45-4:45pm in the Library’s Conference Room

Youth Drawing Club is currently full, but registration to be placed on the Waitlist is ongoing. Register to join the waitlist by clicking the link at the top of this page.

The Youth Drawing Club is an open-format club meeting for youth ages 9-12 to share their love of drawing with one another. This Club is youth-led with a adult-guidance. Supplies are provided, or, bring their own!

Children may be dropped off for this program once their registration is confirmed and with parental permission to sign themselves in and out.

Thursday Toddler Play Groups

Hosted in collaboration with The Parenting Place

Every Thursday from 9:30 – 11:00am in the Library’s Aviary Seating Area and Program Room.

No registration is required. There is no cost to participate.

Youth ages 0-5, especially tailored to ages 0-3.

Parents, legal guardians, care providers, and older siblings are welcome!

Parent Educator, Amber Brantner, and Occupational Therapist, Taylor Nelson, of The Parenting Place in La Crosse (additional offices in Sparta and Tomah) lead a toddler-aged play group every Thursday from 9:30-11:00am.

Parents/care providers and their children, ages 0-5, are welcome to enjoy a morning of activities, a special Storytime, and snacks! Activities include free-play, clay molding, coloring, and much more! Older siblings are welcome, although the activities are especially tailored for  children ages 0-3.

 

Friday Resource Sessions

On Fridays: November 4th, 2023 – May 10th, 2024

During a Friday Resource Session, McIntosh Memorial Library’s Program Room opens for families to meet and socialize; and, to utilize and play with library materials which can support, satisfy, and expand upon children’s interests in subjects they are learning at home or at school!
It is a really fun way to utilize library materials to foster a love of learning at the library!
The style of instruction is open ended. Families can be self-directed towards which materials they want to use and how to spend their time. Library staff members are available to provide guidance to traditional and digital materials to support learning.
Registration is not needed. Stop by! We look forward to meeting you and your family!
The library’s play area is also well used during Friday Resource Session time!
The play area’s theme changes monthly.
March: Space! 👩‍🚀🚀🛰
April: Dragons & Unicorns! 🐉🦄
May: Farms and Farm Animals! 🐮🐷🐥

Library’s After School Program

To learn more about the Library’s After School Program, please locate the “After School Program” tab in the top Menu options.