Welcome to the Youth Services Department
Welcome to the youth area of the Matheson Memorial Library. We offer a wide variety of materials for circulation, a community space for families to gather, and programming for all ages.
Youth Services Department Welcome
What can you do in the library?
Browse and check out books, audiovisual materials, toys, maker kits, and STEAM labs. Many of our games and hands-on activities are now available for circulation.
What can you do outside the library?
Visit the library garden; stop by to play, have a picnic, and enjoy the sunshine or register for one of our outdoor programs in the garden or at Tasch Park.
What can you do virtually or at home?
Ask Ms. Jennifer to pick out books for your kids.
Check out our digital resources on the website and on Pinterest.
Check out booktalks and more on our youtube channel.
Kids up through middle school can submit their creative work to Reading Colors Your World.
How can you support the youth services department?
If you shop on Amazon, you can contribute to the library by selecting Friends of Matheson Memorial Library Corp and shopping through smile.amazon.com
If you would like to contribute directly, you can shop our wishlists for crafts and supplies and for books.
Jennifer Wharton, Youth Services Librarian, jwharton@elkhorn.lib.wi.us
Reading Colors Your World
A monthly collection of the best writing and art of Elkhorn students from preschool to middle school. Available to the public in the library each month, located above the early readers.
Submission guidelines
Who can submit?
– Kids in preschool through middle school.
What can they submit?
– Art, including photographs, and writing, both fiction and nonfiction. All submissions should fit
on an 8×11 sheet of paper and be no more than 10 pages long.
How do you choose what is included?
– Library staff will review submissions for quality, appropriate content, and space.
How do kids submit their work?
– Fill out a submission form and include it with your art or writing. If you are submitting it electronically, send to
jwharton@elkhorn.lib.wi.us. Hard copies can be dropped off at the library or sent via the school delivery van by teachers.
Don’t forget to proofread, edit, and turn in your best work!
We cannot return your submissions, so make sure you submit a photo of your art or a copy of your writing.
Bookaneers
Thursdays at 4:30 pm: Jan. 5, Feb. 2, Mar. 2, Apr. 6, & May 4
Become a Bookaneer and get started on an exciting journey into the world of reading!
Emerging and beginning readers are the main audience for this book club, but all ages are welcome to join us. Kids will have the opportunity to choose books from a variety of genres, reading levels, and formats as well as participate in fun crafts and book discussions. You’ll also get first pick of the new books! Sign up for reminders, booklists, and more at https://forms.gle/JHPTce8pcvw9WTik9 .
Fact Finders
Thursdays at 5 pm: Jan. 12, Feb. 16, Mar. 9, Apr. 13, & May 11
Emerging and beginning readers are the main audience for this book club, but all ages are welcome to join us. We’ll explore a different topic each month, from animals to structures, history to geology, and then share what we’ve learned with the whole library. Kids will have the opportunity to choose books on our chosen subjects from a variety of reading levels and formats and there will also be fun activities and the opportunity to talk about what we’ve learned. Sign up for reminders, booklists, and more at https://forms.gle/JHPTce8pcvw9WTik9 .
Bookaneers
Thursdays at 4:30 pm: Jan. 5, Feb. 2, Mar. 2, Apr. 6, & May 4
Become a Bookaneer and get started on an exciting journey into the world of reading!
Emerging and beginning readers are the main audience for this book club, but all ages are welcome to join us. Kids will have the opportunity to choose books from a variety of genres, reading levels, and formats as well as participate in fun crafts and book discussions. You’ll also get first pick of the new books! Sign up for reminders, booklists, and more at https://forms.gle/JHPTce8pcvw9WTik9
Fact Finders
Thursdays at 5 pm: Jan. 12, Feb. 16, Mar. 9, Apr. 13, & May 11
Emerging and beginning readers are the main audience for this book club, but all ages are welcome to join us. We’ll explore a different topic each month, from animals to structures, history to geology, and then share what we’ve learned with the whole library. Kids will have the opportunity to choose books on our chosen subjects from a variety of reading levels and formats and there will also be fun activities and the opportunity to talk about what we’ve learned. Sign up for reminders, booklists, and more at https://forms.gle/JHPTce8pcvw9WTik9 .
Life-Size Candyland
Saturday, January 14 from 9-2 pm &
Monday, January 16 from 9-12 pm
All ages are invited to play the library’s Life-Size Candyland. Pick up a spinner and play the game throughout the library, stopping to meet characters and pick up treats along the way, and don’t forget to visit the Storyroom for activities and crafts. Make it to the final stop, win the game, and crown yourself ruler of all things sweet!
Family Storytime with Miss Esther
Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9:30 am:
Jan. 17, 19, 24, 26, 31, Feb. 2, 7, 9, 14, 16, 21, 23, 28, Mar. 2, 7, 9, 14, 16, 21, 23, 28, & 30
Meet and connect with other families in our community during Miss Esther’s Family Storytime. Interactive songs and stories, fun crafts, and new connections with families in your community will keep you coming back for more!
Winter Wigglers
Wednesdays at 10 am: Jan. 18, 25, Feb. 1, 8, 15, & 22
Has winter made you extra wiggly? Join us for a fun, active storytime and activities with lots of movement. Families with children of all ages are invited to participate.
I like to move it!
Fridays at 10 am: Jan. 20, Feb. 24, Mar. 10, & Apr. 14
Get out of the house and join Miss Esther from EASD Parent Connections for thirty minutes of story-based movement and fun! Celebrate your heart-healthy moving by making a healthy snack together to end the session.
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Let off STEAM! The Science of Snow
Monday, Jan. 23 at 10 am
Join Miss Esther from EASD Parent Connections and let your child’s curiosity guide your discoveries as we explore the science behind snow with hands-on activities, experiments, and more.
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Paws to Read
Mondays at 4:15 pm:
Jan. 23, 30, Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27, Mar. 6, 13, 20, Apr. 3, 17, 24, May 1, 8, 15, & 22
Join some special furry friends and volunteers from the Lakeland Animal Shelter. All ages are welcome to interact and play, listen to stories, and read to the animals. Live animals will be present and confined to the Storyroom. This program is sponsored by the Lakeland Animal Shelter.
Pokemon Club
Tuesdays from 4-5 pm: Jan. 24, 31, Feb. 14, 28, Mar. 14, 28, Apr. 11, 25, May 9, & 23
Are you a fan of Pokemon? Bring your friends for an hour of crafts, cards, and movies in the Community Room. We’ll spend the first half playing and crafting and then watch some classic Pokemon shows for the second half. Kids are welcome to bring their own cards to play or share, but staff cannot supervise trading.
Project Explore
Wednesdays from 3:30-5:30 pm: Jan. 25, Feb. 1 & 15, Mar. 1 & 15, Apr. 12, & May 3
Project Explore offers kids and teens an opportunity to work on projects using the library’s materials and with staff assistance. There will also be a variety of themed projects available that may include fiber arts, painting, sewing, and other activities. Attendees need to be able to work on their own, use materials and tools safely and responsibly, and wait patiently for assistance.
Early Literacy Night: Explore Nonfiction
Thursday, Jan. 26 from 6:30-7:30 pm
Do you have a kid who loves animals, vehicles, science, and all things real? Join us for an hour of exploration into the marvels to be found in nonfiction with hands-on activities and projects for all ages!
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