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Libraries

 

Library

Youth Programming

Below you'll find the latest information on upcoming programming—you can also follow us on our Facebook page and subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date.

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Summer Programming

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"Find Your Voice" Summer Library Program 2023 Flyer

June 5 - July 29

Our voices have power! We use our voices to share stories, express ourselves, and spark change. Our voices include not only the sounds we make, but the words we write, the art we create, the movements we perform, and the actions we take each day to impact our world.

Celebrate your unique voice with us this summer! We’ll start things off with a Carnival Bash on June 3 and then head into summer programming fun that will feature STEAM camps (including Tiny STEAM drop-in activities for babies and toddlers), fun performers, NEW Tiny Tales story times, and more!

Printer-friendly Version: SLP Flyer 2023

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Reading Challenges | June 5 - July 29
Anime style image of two adults and three children with words Find Your Voice
Find Your Voice Reading Program
  • Babies through entering grade 5, registration required
  • Register between June 5 -10 and receive a FREE VINYL STICKER and GLITTER TATTOO (while supplies last)
  • In-person and online registration available

Sign up, choose a Reading Record that matches your age, set your own reading goal... and READ! Add a sticker to your record each time you meet your goal. Earn a visit to the Reading Celebration Station when you use half of your stickers and when you complete your Record. Earn a free book and a ticket to the ice cream party when you complete your Record.

Reading Records accepted Monday, June 5 through Saturday, July 29.

Baby-Preschool Reading Record

K-5 Reading Record

Register Button


Anime style image of teen holding a megaphone climbing a ladder to ascend a stack of books, text reads Teen Reading Raffle
Teen Reading Raffle

Each time you read a book and enter a ticket, your name will be entered into a Grand Prize Pack drawing of your choice: Chill Out & Unwind, Action & Adventure, or Money.

Plus, EVERYONE wins a Reading Raffle Reader prize just for participating. Raffle Tickets accepted Monday, June 5 through Saturday, July 29. Grand Prize winners announced Friday, August 4. All raffle prizes can be picked up Friday, August 4 through Friday, August 18.

Reading Raffle Ticket [PDF]

Submit your ticket


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End-of-Program Ice Cream Party

Readers who finish their reading record and all Reading Raffle readers earn a ticket to the party. Enjoy free ice cream treats plus outdoor lawn games.

Saturday, July 29

10am - Onalaska
11am - Bangor & Campbell
12pm - Holmen
1pm - West Salem


Find Your Voice Programs
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Summer Wild Child Nature Explorers
"Find Your Voice at Goose Island!"

Find your voice and explore the wildlife of the Driftless Region with La Crosse County Library and La Crosse County Parks! Join Nora from Happy Dancing Turtle for a guided family nature walk on the trails of Goose Island. Discover various voices of the animals that call the Driftless Region home, learn how animals use sound and other methods to communicate, and consider why it's important that we speak up to be the voice for nature. No registration required. Great for all ages! Kids under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Attendees will receive a temporary tattoo.

Saturday, June 10
Goose Island Campground Pavilion

3pm to 4:30pm


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Tiny Tales

Geared for newborn - 36 months

Join us for five weeks of story times full of books, movement, songs, and fun for the baby/toddler set. (~20 min.) Registration requested.

June 17 - July 1 and July 15 - 22
No Tiny Tales the week of July 3.

Saturdays
Onalaska 10:00 am

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Story Times

Geared for ages 3 - entering grade 1.

Join us for story times full of books, movement, songs, and fun. (~25 min.) Registration requested.

June 12 - 30 and July 10 - 28
No Story Times the week of July 3.

Mondays
Onalaska 10:00 am & 6:30 pm
Bangor & Holmen 10:15 am

Tuesdays
Holmen & West Salem 6:30 pm

Wednesdays
Holmen & West Salem 10:15 am

Thursdays
Onalaska 10:00 am & Campbell 6:30 pm

Fridays
Onalaska 10:00 am

Register Button


Image of mothers and toddlers on a play mat in a daycare like setting
Tiny STEAM

Geared for newborn-36 months, but all ages welcome

Families can drop in on select Tuesdays and explore fun STEAM activities geared for the baby/toddler set. No registration required.

Drop-in stations open 10am to 12pm

June 13 & July 11 Holmen
June 20 & July 18 Onalaska
June 27 & July 25 West Salem


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STEAM Camp

Geared for those entering grades 2-4

Sign up for two days of STEAM-related activities. Make wildflower seed bombs to dance into the ground, explore Driftless Area geology with mini-glaciers, personalize “Find Your Voice” buttons, create DIY zines, and more! (60 min.) Registration required. One two-day session per child.

Two-day sessions, each 12:30pm to 1:30pm

June 12 & 13 West Salem
June 15 & 16 Bangor or Holmen
June 19 & 20 Holmen
June 22 & 23 Onalaska
June 26 & 27 Onalaska
June 29 & 30 Campbell

Register Button


Adolescents sitting at a picnic table outdoors doing a craft project with leaves
STEAM Camp

Geared for those entering grades 5-8

Sign up for two days of STEAM-related activities. Create mineral mosaics, snack on "metamorphic" rock, make perler bead emoji magnets, and more! (60 min.) Registration required. One two-day session per child.

Two-day sessions, each 2:30pm to 3:30pm

June 12 & 13 West Salem
June 15 & 16 Bangor or Holmen
June 19 & 20 Holmen
June 22 & 23 Onalaska
June 26 & 27 Onalaska
June 29 & 30 Campbell

Register Button


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Teen BINGO

For those entering grades 6-12

New this summer for teens. Bring your friends, play BINGO, eat pizza and win prizes ... for free (approx. 90 min.). No registration required.

5:00pm - Hang out, relax
5:30pm - BINGO begins

Holmen Library
June 26

Onalaska Library
June 29


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Teen Nights

For those entering grades 6-12

Monday nights at Holmen and Thursday nights at Onalaska. Bring your friends, play games, eat pizza, and watch a movie on the big screen...for free! No registration required.

5:00pm - Hang out, play games
5:30pm - Movie begins

This summer's Teen Night movies:

July 3 & 6 Raiders of the Lost Ark (PG)
July 10 & 13 Shazam: Fury of the Gods (PG-13)
July 17 & 20 Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (PG-13)
July 24 & 27 Super Mario Brothers (PG)


Family Events
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World Yo-Yo Champion Mark Hayward

Mark Hayward is back to show off his moves! See "Atom Smasher," "Brain Twister," "Walk the Dog," and so much more. No registration required.

Wednesday, June 7
12:30pm West Salem
3:30pm Campbell
6:30pm Onalaska

Thursday, June 8
12:30pm Onalaska
3:30pm Bangor
6:30pm Holmen


Natyarpana Dance
Natyarpana Dance

This award-winning dance company showcases storytelling, classical Indian dance, and authentic costumes and jewelry.

Wednesday, June 14
12:30pm Holmen
3:30pm Bangor*
6:30pm Onalaska*

*Program sponsored by TDS Fiber


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Our Bodies Talk

Can we talk to animals? Can animals talk to us? Explore the fascinating science of animal (and human) body language.

Wednesday, June 21
3:30pm Campbell
6:30pm West Salem*

*Program sponsored by TDS Fiber


Image of children sitting on the floor of a classroom listening to a teacher reading a book and the words Bluff Country Tale Spinners
Bluff Country Tale Spinners

Bluff Country Tale Spinners visit the library to share stories and a puppet-making activity. No registration required.

Saturday, July 8
10am Onalaska


Image of a snake
Snake, Rattle, & Roll

Snake Discovery shares reptiles and amphibians that call Minnesota and Wisconsin home. Meet salamanders, turtles, snakes, and more!

Wednesday, July 12
12:30pm Onalaska
3:30pm Bangor
6:30pm Holmen


Image of man playing guitar
Music of David Landau

Sing, move, act, dance, shout, laugh, and learn with this award-winning children's performer. Fun for the whole family!

Wednesday, July 19
12:30pm Holmen
3:30pm West Salem
6:30pm Onalaska

 


Image of man comically sticking his head through a picture frame
Dan Gogh's Magic and Art

Enjoy a delightful blend of comedy, magic, art, and puppets. Find out new exciting ways to interact with books and express your own creativity.

Wednesday, July 26
10:30am Onalaska* 
12:30pm Onalaska
3:30pm Campbell
6:30pm West Salem

*Program sponsored by the Friends of the Onalaska Library


Other Services
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Lit Love Book Bundles

Curious about creepy crawlies? Robo-motion? How to introduce your preschooler to Hebrew and other languages with Sesame Street?

Cozy up for winter with some literary love curated just for you by our Youth Services team. Just let us know what you're interested in, and we'll help you find it! Service also available for educators.

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Booklists & Reader's Advisory

Booklists
Booklists are suggested reading in various categories provided by our Youth Services Librarians, New York Times Best-sellers list, etc.

Reader's Advisory
Reader's Advisory is a service to assist young people and their families, and those who work with children, in selecting reading materials. Stop by to talk with a youth services librarian at the Library’s youth services desks in Onalaska, Holmen, and West Salem, or before and after youth programs at any of the five County Library branches. They will be happy to recommend books and other materials for children and teens with regard to abilities, age levels, and interests.


Contact Us

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Youth Services Staff travel to each of the five library locations to conduct programs, select and maintain books and other materials, conduct Reader's Advisory, and provide many other services for children, teens, and their families.

Youth Services has offices in Holmen, Onalaska & West Salem:

Holmen Public Library
121 W. Legion St * PO Box 220
Holmen, WI 54636
608-399-3385

Onalaska Public Library
741 Oak Ave S
Onalaska, WI 54650
608-781-9568 ext 3

West Salem Library
702 Industrial Drive
West Salem, WI 54669
608-786-1505

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