Featured Children's Events

Signs of Spring: Make Your Own Field Guide with Brenna Burns Yu

Saturday, April 1, 11 am-12 pm | Fair Haven

Brenna Burns Yu will read from her book, Hazel & Twig: The Lost Egg, followed by an art activity based on the book’s theme of natural history illustration and observing from nature.

Wonderful Books and Where to Find Them

Saturday, April 1, 11-11:30 am | Ives

The New Haven Free Public Library, in partnership with the Yale Affinity Groups, is excited to bring you this book club for families focusing on topics of social importance! In honor of religious traditions, we’ll be reading Our Favorite Day of the Year by A. E. Ali. Read about different special days, and write or draw something about your own favorite. Join us in person in the Children's Room!

Week of the Young Child with Puppeteer Iyaba Ibo Mandingo

Saturday, April 1, 1:30-3:30 pm | Stetson

Join us for a spectacular community helper puppet show led by local puppeteer and artist Iyaba Ibo Mandingo. Free copies of Fire Chief Fran by Linda Ashman will be given away as supplies last. In partnership with New Haven Early Childhood Council, The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, and The Children's Building.

Week of the Young Child Storytime Event: Planting Stories by Anika Aldamuy Denise

Wednesday, April 5, 10-11 am | Wilson

Join us at Wilson for a storytime event and reading of Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré by Anika Aldamuy Denise. Suitable for kids and families between ages 3-5. Free copies of books will be given away while supplies last. In partnership with New Haven Early Childhood Council, The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, and The Children's Building.

Music Together Demo
Wednesday, April 5, 11 am-12 pm | Ives
Join us for a free music and movement class for babies, toddlers and preschoolers (birth-5) with a caregiver. Offered by Musical Folk, this special Music Together program will take place instead of our regular story time that day.

Felt Friends!

Wednesday, April 5, 4-5 pm | Mitchell

Learn some basic sewing skills and make a cute little creature! Presented in partnership with the SCSU Buley Library Makerspace.

STEAM Explorers!

Wednesdays, 4-5 pm | Ives

STEAM Explorers is a space for science and technology exploration for kids together with their caregivers! Let's explore science with fun, hands-on activities.

April 5: Butterfly Migration

April 12: Seeing Sound

April 19: LEGOs

April 26: Stars and Constellations

Funny Fest

Tuesday, April 11, 4-5 pm | Ives

Share your favorite jokes, listen to silly stories and play fun games and activities! Recommended for ages 5 and up.

Children's Authors and Illustrators Series: Melissa Marshall

Wednesday, April 12, 3-4 pm | Ives 

Join author and illustrator Melissa Marshall as she reads from her books Thank You Pigeon Family and Sharing is Caring with The Pigeon Family, and stay for a fun art activity. Event will take place in the Children's Room (2nd floor).

Children's Authors and Illustrators Series: Alan Katz

Saturday, April 22, 10:30-11:30 am | Ives

Join local Emmy-nominated comedy writer and author Alan Katz as he discusses his books and shares his humor. Alan has written dozens of books, including Take Me Out of the Bathtub, the Society of Substitutes series, and his new picture book Got Your Nose! The program is a collaborative event between the Library and Atticus New Haven and will take place in the Children's Room (2nd floor) of the Ives Main Library.

Falling in love with Theatre Workshops presented by SC 

Saturday, April 22, 1-2 pm | Wilson

Join us Saturdays, March 25, April 22, and May 13. Have a blast with a fun series of fun feel good workshops where the world of theatre arts is explored! Everyone is welcome, and children and their families are strongly encouraged to attend. No experience is required.

Concert by Music Haven Advanced Students

Saturday, April 22, 1-2 pm | Mitchell

Join us for a concert by Music Haven’s advanced student string quartet, The Pomegranates. These young musicians will play pieces by Luis Prado, Florence Price, JS Bach, L.V. Beethoven, and more.

Disability Justice Conversation: Special Education  

Monday, April 24, 6-7:30 pm | Mitchell

Join Sha McAllister from the New Haven Festival of Arts and Ideas with her guests for this special panel. The theme for the 2023 NEA Big Read is Disability Justice and many may not realize that Special Education is one facet of this topic.

Click HERE to see all upcoming Young Minds programming!

Featured Teen and Tween Programs

HBCU Documentary Film Series: Tell Them We Are Rising

Saturday, April 1, 11 am-1 pm | Ives

Saturday, April 1, 2-4 pm | Ives

Tuesday, April 4, 4-5:30 pm | Mitchell

Join us to view the film Tell Them We Are Rising and participate in a discussion about Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Registration required at Ives only.

Pysanky Workshop

Monday, April 3, 6-7:30 pm | Mitchell

Discover the ancient art of making Pysanky—intricately decorated Ukrainian Easter eggs. Please call the Mitchell Library to register: 203-946-8117. Children 7 and up are welcome, but must be accompanied by an adult.

Seed Starting & Spring Gardening Workshop 

Tuesday, April 11, 6-7 pm | Wilson

Looking to get an early start on your garden? Still learning what it takes to plant a garden? Not sure what to grow or how? Join us for a workshop to get your hands dirty starting your own vegetable and herb plants for the spring. Attendees will leave with gardening know-how and the beginnings of a new garden.

Teen Film Screening: Crip Camp

Saturday, April 29, 1-3:30 pm | Ives

As part of this year's One City One Read and our conversations around Disability Justice, the NHFPL Teen Center is screening the Academy Award nominated documentary Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution. Following the film, there will be a discussion about the film and how power relates to Disability Justice. Snacks will be provided. This program is open to teens.

Library Updates

Library Holiday Closures:

The New Haven Free Public Library will close at all locations for Good Friday and Easter on Friday, April 7 and Saturday, April 8.

For all our 2023 holiday hours, please refer to our Holiday Closings.

Want more? Check out our calendar!