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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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Winter/Spring Programming
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Winter & Spring 2023 Flyer

For our 2023 youth programming, we're bringing back kid favorites like LEGO at the Library, Messy Kids Art, and Wild Child Nature Explorers—and introducing a new "All Hands on Tech" scavenger hunt! Download the flyer to learn more!


Spring Story Times
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Baby Bop Story Time

Join us Mondays or Saturdays at noon for indoor story times designed for our friends ages 0-23 months. We offer 20 minutes of caregiver and baby fun and bonding with books, bounces, songs, and rhymes followed by 15 minutes of unstructured play and read time.

March 13-April 29

Registration is required for Baby Bop Story Times. If you registered for our Fall session, your registration carries over to Winter/Spring. 

Onalaska:
Mondays at 12 pm
NEW! Saturdays at 12 pm

For Caregivers: Baby Bop Songs & Rhymes

Register Button


Image of a rainbow and a book with the words Tales for Twos
Tales for Twos Story Time

Join us for indoor story times full of books, movement, songs, and fun. Tales for Twos story times are designed for our friends who are age two with lots of caregiver participation. Tales for Twos Story Times last approximately 20 minutes.

March 13-April 27

Registration is required for Tales for Twos Story Times. If you registered for our Fall session, your registration carries over to Winter/Spring.

Holmen: Thursdays at 10:15 am
Onalaska: Mondays at 10 am

For Caregivers: Tales for Twos Songs and Rhymes

    Register Button


    Image of children playing around a book with the words Library Learners
    Library Learners Preschool Story Time

    Join us for indoor story times full of books, movement, songs, and fun. Story Times last approximately 30 minutes and are geared toward youth ages 3-5.

    March 13-April 28

    Registration is recommended for Library Learners. If you registered for our Fall session, your registration carries over to Winter/Spring.

    Bangor: Mondays at 10:15 am
    Campbell: Thursdays at 6:30 pm
    Holmen: Tuesdays at 6:30 pm and Wednesdays at 10:15 am
    Onalaska: Mondays at 6:30 pm and Fridays at 10 am
    West Salem: Tuesdays at 6:30 pm and Wednesdays at 10:15 am

    Register Button


    March Memoirs
    March Memoirs

    A memoir is a story of your life—or some part of it—told in words or pictures. Visit the library in March to pick up an official MARCH MEMOIR entry form. Draw or write your story, bring it back to the library, and we'll post it on the library display wall all month. One winner from each location will be randomly selected to receive a Creatapalooza Prize Basket filled with writing and art supplies.


    Lego at the Library
    LEGO® at the Library

    Kids of all ages (children under 8 accompanied by an adult) are welcome at our Lego brick building events! Have fun free-building, or be inspired by our suggested theme. No registration required.

    All events run from 4:30pm to 5:30pm.

    Monday, March 6 - Bangor & Campbell

    Monday, March 13 - Onalaska

    Monday, March 20 - West Salem

    Monday, March 27 - Holmen


    Image of children around a laptop that reads all hands on tech
    Teen Time

    Teens in grades 6-12 ... Looking for a place to recharge? Do some homework? Enjoy some snacks? If you're into hands-on projects, music, new teen books, or just chilling out, drop in for Teen Time. Sign up for a door prize while you're there! No registration required.

    Friday, March 24
    Holmen Public Library: 3pm to 4:30pm
    Onalaska Public Library: 2:30pm to 4pm

     


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    Messy Kids Art

    Join us for drippy, colorful fun at the library! Kids who register can drop in anything during the program time and create their own terra cotta drip paint pot. Great for all youth. Registration is required and begins Monday, March 13.

    Monday, April 10
    4:30pm to 5:30pm in Holmen (FULL), Onalaska (FULL), & West Salem

    Wednesday, April 12
    4:30pm to 5:30pm in Bangor (FULL) and Campbell

    Register Button

     


    Image of children painting
    Winged Wonders

    Presented by Raptor Education Group Inc.

    Have you ever met a hawk face to face? What about a falcon? Join REGI’s Wildlife Educator and their avian ambassadors when they visit the Onalaska Library all the way from Antigo, WI. Meet some of our state's common, but rarely encountered birds. Discover what a raptor is, hear their stories and learn what you can do to ensure they remain a significant part of the ecosystem. Geared for ages four - adult.

    Funding for this program was provided by the Ben and Floyde Sias Library Trust Fund in partnership with La Crosse County Library.

    Saturday, April 15, 12 p.m.
    Onalaska Public Library


    Image of three children in grass looking through magnifying glass
    Wild Child Nature Explorers

    Explore the wildlife of the Driftless Region with hands-on activities, stories, and STEM challenges. Nora from the environmental education group Happy Dancing Turtle returns to the library with a hop-tastic program all about frogs. Kids will learn about the frog lifecycle, discover how they differ from toads, make party blower frog masks, and more! Designed for ages 6-10 (children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult). Registration is required and begins Monday, March 20.

    Tuesday, April 18
    4:30-5:30pm - Onalaska

    Wednesday, April 19
    6:30-7:30pm - Holmen

    Thursday, April 20
    4:30-5:30pm - Campbell

    Monday, April 24
    4-5pm - Bangor

    Wednesday, April 26
    6:30-7:30pm - West Salem

    Register Button


    Image of five children listening to a story and laughing
    Story Time with the Coulee Region Humane Society

    Join us for special Story Times presented by the Coulee Region Humane Society. These events will feature stories and activities about wildlife babies. No registration required. Geared toward ages 3-7.

    May 8 - Bangor at 10:15am and Onalaska at 6:30pm
    May 9 - Holmen at 6:30pm
    May 10 - Holmen at 10:15am
    May 11 - Campbell at 6:30pm
    May 12 - Onalaska at 10am
    May 17 - West Salem at 10:15am

     


    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.

    Request Button

    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

    Image of five women in Youth Services t-shirts with the words Contact Youth Services

    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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