Youth Services Newsletter: January 2024

** In-Person Event Guidelines:
In the interest of social distancing, space is limited and registration is required for most children’s events.  Registration links for our programs are located on the library's Events Calendar (https://woburnpubliclibrary.org/events-calendar/) .

Masks are no longer required in the library. However, masks are encouraged in the Children's Room, especially for those who are unvaccinated, have a weakened immune system, or live with a highly vulnerable person.
General Announcements

Library Closures
Please note that the library will be closed on January 1st for New Years Day.
The library will also be closed on January 15th in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Children's Events
Thom Child and Family Services logo
Baby Group with Early Intervention
Tuesdays
10:30 am - 11:30 am

Join us for a baby group (0-15 months) led by early intervention specialists.  This is a group for parents and caregivers to connect on the joys and struggles of parenthood.  Caregivers can gather more information on child development while infants work on tummy time, exploring toys, and listening to songs.
Story Crafternoon
Tuesdays (January 2nd & 16th)
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Join Miss Sam for songs, stories, and a simple craft. This program is recommended for ages 3-6, but siblings are always welcome!
Lego Build Time
Wednesdays (January 3rd & 17th)
10:00 am - 11:00 am

Stop by the Craft Room and see what you can create with our Legos!  If you like, your amazing creation can be displayed in the library until the next Lego Build Time.
For grades 5 and under.
PJ Storytime
Wednesdays (January 3rd, 10th, 24th)
5:30 pm - 6:15 pm

Get a jump start on bedtime!  Join Miss Kristine for songs, movement activities, and stories.
Best for ages 5 and under.  Siblings are welcome.

Spanish Fun Program
Thursday January 4th (11:00 am - 12:00 pm)
Monday January 8th & 29th (10:30 am - 11:30 am)

Whether you're interested in learning Spanish or you're already fluent, you will enjoy this fun, bilingual program!  Miss Esther will lead you through vocabulary-building activities, music, and games. Best for ages 5 and under.  Siblings are welcome.  Registration is required.
Si ya hablas español o si quieres aprender una lengua nueva, puedes participar en esta hora de cuentos bilingüe con Señorita Esther!  Para niños de 1 a 5 años.  Requiere registro.
Parent and Tween Crafting Night
Thursday January 4th
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Come join us on Thursday night for an adult and tween (ages 8-11) craft.  Tweens are invited to bring an adult of their choice to make a craft together.  Each month will be a different craft - check back on our ** Events Calendar (https://woburnpubliclibrary.org/events-calendar/)
for updates!
Toddler Playtime
Fridays (January 5th & 26th)
11:00 am - 11:45 am

Bring your toddlers to the library to play, read books, color, and socialize with other families. Best for ages 1-3.  No registration required - drop in and hang out with us!
Read to a Therapy Dog
Fridays (January 5th, 12th, 19th)
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Young readers are invited to spend 10 minutes reading aloud to dogs from the Therapy Dogs International Program.  Registration is not required for this event - 10 minute time-slots with a dog will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.  We will try to accommodate as many children as we can without overwhelming the dogs.  Siblings and parents are welcome to join.

You can find general information on therapy dogs from the Cummings Veterinary Medicine Magazine at the following link: ** The Benefits of Reading to Dogs (http://sites.tufts.edu/vetmag/fall-2017/the-benefits-of-reading-to-dogs/)
.  For more details about each participating dog and their handlers, please see the individual event pages on our ** Events Calendar (https://woburnpubliclibrary.org/events-calendar/)
.
Portuguese Fun
Saturday January 6th (10:30 am - 11:30 am)
Friday January 12th (11:00 am - 12:00 pm)

Join Miss Esther as we dance and sing with the music from the highest-selling Brazilian female singer Xuxa!  We will also have fun playing games with the parachute while you learn and practice Portuguese.
Best for ages 2-5.  The whole family is welcome.
Gloved hands holding a large snowball
Indoor Snowball Fight for Kids
Saturday January 6th
2:30 - 3:00 pm

Ready for the fight of your life?  Join us as we play a series of snowball games including an epic snowball fight!  The snowballs are official indoor snowballs (not real snow).
This program is for ages 6-11.
Lego Club
Monday January 8th
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Do you love LEGO?  Stop by the Craft Room and see what you can create with our LEGO bricks.  If you'd like, your amazing creation can be displayed in the library until the next LEGO Club!
This program is for ages 6-11.  No registration required.
Tween Lounge
Tuesdays (January 9th & 23rd)
3:30 pm - 4:15 pm

Come hang out in the Storytime and Craft Room to enjoy a variety of video games, card and board games, activities, and snacks!

This program is for tweens ages 8-11 only.
Family Storytime
Wednesday January 10th
Monday January 22nd
10:30 am - 11:00 am

Join us for a morning of stories, songs, and fun!  Each storytime will feature two special guest readers!  This storytime is for ages 2-5, but siblings are welcome.
Baby Lapsit with Miss Kristine

Thursdays (January 11th & 25th)
11:00 am - 11:30 am

Sing, play and bounce with your baby to gentle rhymes and stories with Miss Kristine.

Best for 12 months and under.

Children playing a large drum together

Sound Play Music

Saturday January 13th
10:30 am - 11:15 am
Dance, move, sing and groove with Sound Play Music!  Sound Play is dedicated to bringing live, engaging musical activities to families of young children all around the Greater Boston area.  Join us for a joy-filled concert of interactive music and instrument play!

This program is for ages 0-6.

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Messy Art

Wednesday January 17th
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Join us for a fun afternoon of painting in the craft room without having to worry about the clean-up!  Every month we paint with something new.  The paint we will be using is washable, but be sure to wear something you don't mind getting messy in.

This program is for ages 5-11.

Lotería game cards

Lotería Fun Night

Wednesday January 17th
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Learn vocabulary in Spanish while you play, eat chips and salsa, and get ready to yell out “Lotería!” once you complete all the charts.  Learn to say “Lo tengo” or “No lo tengo” ("I have it" or "I don't have it").  After the game, you will be familiar with the vocabulary and you will be ready to dance and sing with the Latin Rhythms.

This program is recommended for ages 3-11.

Musician James Lepler plays guitar for an audience of children.

Family Singalong with James Lepler

Thursday January 18th
11:00 am - 11:30 am
Join musician James Lepler for a singalong!  Best for ages 5 and under.  Siblings are welcome.

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Trivia Bowl

Thursday January 18th
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Join Miss Lobna for a Trivia Bowl!  Come test your knowledge and compete with your friends.  Bring your brain power and see who comes out on top!

This program is for ages 7-11 only.

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Story Tots

Friday January 19th
11:00 am - 11:30 am

Join Miss Janice for a story time just for toddlers.  There will be stories, movement, music, and age-appropriate activities!

Best for ages 1-3. Siblings are welcome.

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Sensory-Friendly Storytime

Saturday January 20th
Wednesday January 31st
10:30 am - 11:30 am
Join Miss Sam for 30 minutes of gentle songs and stories followed by sensory playtime.  Fidgeting and roaming are welcome.

This storytime is for everyone, but is particularly designed for neurodiverse children: children who are autistic, have sensory processing challenges, ADHD, or have difficulty sitting through our other storytimes.  Book choices geared toward preschool interest level.  Siblings are welcome.

This program is for ages 3-7.

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Open Gaming for Families

Saturday January 20th
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Join us for a fun afternoon of gaming at the library!  Kids and families of all ages can stop by to play some Switch games, use our iPads, and try out our brand new ** Magic Floor (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9J2WuCFpdU&t=2s)
!

This program is for all ages.  Registration is required.

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Fine Motor Fun with Family Access

Monday January 22nd
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Enjoy activities that support strengthening the small muscles in children’s hands, getting them ready for writing, buttoning and many more important life skills!  All activities inspired by the Tools for Tiny Hands curriculum.  Facilitated by Family ACCESS Community Connections.

** Register here through Family ACCESS. (https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=9tLaOHHGdki8ubtOlAVcA8NC46CiC5lLs-_QuGoy-KpUNDBEWjFSRFI1RFNLMThGQTFBRVVGQTUyNCQlQCNjPTEu)

Shine On Performing Arts Center logo

Hip Hop Dance Class for Kids

Monday (January 22nd & 29th)
4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Join us for a special dance class hosted by the Shine On Performing Arts Center!  Hip Hop will incorporate street funk, groove and isolations while cultivating each student's own personal style.  We make sure to keep the class authentic with the latest Hip Hop music while keeping it age-appropriate.

This class is for ages 7-11 only.  There will be a separate session for teens offered at 5:30 pm.

Creativity Corner

Wednesday January 24th
10:00 am - 11:00 am

Stop by the Craft Room and get creative with our craft supplies!  This event is first come, first served, as space allows.

For grades 5 and under.

Large screen projected onto floor with multiple game options

Open Gaming with Active Floor

Wednesday January 24th
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm

Experience the future of gaming with our brand new Active Floor!  This magic machine brings interactive gaming to light for the fun and delight of all ages.

This program is for all ages.

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STEM Explorers

Friday January 26th
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Join Miss Lobna for a fun STEM activity!  We'll explore science through hands-on activities.

Best for ages 5-11.  Come dressed for a mess!

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Moving to the Music

Saturday January 27th
3:00 pm - 3:45 pm
Bring your imaginations to the library for an evening session of dance, music, and dramatic play led by Miss Kat.

Best for ages 3-7. Siblings are welcome.

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Family STEM

Tuesday January 30th
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Join us for a special afternoon of STEM activities (science, technology, engineering, and math).  Kids and caregivers will work together and experiment in a variety of fun and educational activities.  Try out our various coding robots, build something new, and explore with STEM!

This program is for ages 5-11.

Puppeteer Leigh Baltzer poses with four puppets

Puppet Storytime with Leigh Baltzer

Wednesday January 31st
5:30 pm - 6:00 pm
** Through Me To You Puppetry (https://www.throughmetoyou.com/)
invites you to join Newton and the gang for some storytime fun!  Newton and his puppet friends take turns reading stories and singing songs with the kids.  At the end of the show, the kids are invited to say hi to Newton & even play with some of his puppets.

This program is for all ages. Registration is required.

Cover image for Little Penguin and the Mysterious Object. A penguin stands on a small iceberg inspecting an upside-down red bicycle. In the background, an orca whale with a small bird on its head looks on from the ocean.

Rookie Book Club

Monday January 22nd
6:00 pm - 6:45 pm

Join Miss Janice for our beginning readers' book club.  Children should read the book before the club meeting.  Children who are not reading independently yet can have the book read to them.  We will talk about the story and do some related activities.  January's book is Little Penguin and the Mysterious Object - copies of the book will be available at the Children’s Room desk.

This book club is for children who are at least 5 years old and in Kindergarten or 1st grade.

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Bookworms Book Club

Thursday January 18th
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Join Miss Sam for a special book club for 2nd and 3rd graders.  Each month we will read a different chapter book or graphic novel.  During the meeting, we will talk about the story and do some fun activities.  Copies of each month's book will be available at the Children's Desk.

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Cool Kids' Book Club

Monday January 29th
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Join Ms. Jacki to explore different genres with good conversation and an accompanying craft or activity.

This book club is for children in grades 4-6.

Teen Events

Lumps of modeling clay in various colors

Teen Clay Time

Friday January 5th
3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Teen Clay Time is back!  Have you ever wanted to try your hand at sculpting miniatures or making your own jewelry?   Already have a clay project in mind but need the supplies?

Clay Time is an open art workshop for teens ages 11-19.  We will provide air-dry clay in a wide range of colors and sculpting tools.  Make anything your heart desires and take it home with you the same day.

No registration required, just drop by!

Gloved hands holding a large snowball

Indoor Snowball Fight for Teens

Saturday January 6th
3:00 pm - 3:45 pm
Ready for the fight of your life? Join us as we play a series of snowball games including an epic snowball fight!  The snowballs are official indoor snowballs (not real snow).

This program is for ages 12-18.

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Teen Chess & Games Club

Tuesdays (January 9th & 23rd)
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Want to learn to play chess?  Know the basics, but want improve your skills?  Already know how to play, but have no one to play with?  Stop by Chess Club, Tuesdays at 5:30 in the Makerspace!  No registration required and boards provided.  All skill levels welcome.

Chess Club is expanding to other board games!  Try a classic like Chinese Checkers or Mancala, or a new tabletop game from the library's collection.

Teen Chess Club is for students in grades 6-12.

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Teen Movie Night: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

Wednesday January 10th
6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
We have a sweet tooth for the new Wonka movie!  To celebrate all the Wonkas of the past, the library will be screening Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory in the Teen Room.  No registration required.

Synopsis: A poor but hopeful boy seeks one of the five coveted golden tickets that will send him on a tour of Willy Wonka's mysterious chocolate factory. (1971, Rated: G)

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Open Gaming for Teens

Friday January 12th
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Release that half-day energy playing some games in the Library's Program Room!  Middle & high schoolers, stop by to play some Switch games like MarioKart, Just Dance, & more on the big screen, or try out our brand new Magic Floor!

This program is for students in 6-12th grade.  No registration required.

Assortment of multicolored beads

Teen Crafternoon: Let's Bead
Friday January 19th
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Bead for your friends!  Bead for your family!  Bead for your pets!  Bead for yourself!  Come hang out in the Makerspace for a Crafternoon of beading bracelets, necklaces, & more!

Teen Crafternoons are for students in 6-12th grade.


Teen Advisory Board
Monday January 22nd
4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Help decide what happens at YOUR library (and get snacks & volunteer hours)!

Concerns, comments, or ideas for Teen events and programming? Join the monthly Teen Advisory Board meeting to have your voice heard.

TAB is for students entering 7-12 grade.

Shine On Performing Arts Center logo

Hip Hop Dance Class for Teens
Wednesday January 22nd & 29th
5:30 - 6:30 pm
Join us for a special dance class hosted by the Shine On Performing Arts Center!  Hip Hop will incorporate street funk, groove and isolations while cultivating each student's own personal style.  We make sure to keep the class authentic with the latest Hip Hop music while keeping it age-appropriate.

This class is for ages 12-18 only.  There will be a separate session for younger children at 4:30 pm.

One Up Games for Teens
Wednesday January 24th
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Join us on your half day for open game play with One Up Games!  Our friends at One Up Games will be bringing a variety of gaming platforms, as well as Oculus virtual reality, to the library for you to play with your friends.  Drop in at any time; no registration required.

This event is for students in grades 6-12.

Learn to Code: SQL
Saturday January 27th
10:30 am - 2:30 pm

SQL (pronounced “ess-que-el”) stands for Structured Query Language.  SQL is used to communicate with a database of information.  SQL statements are used to perform tasks such as update data on a database, or retrieve data from a database.  Some common relational database management systems that use SQL are Oracle, Sybase, Microsoft SQL Server, Access, etc.

In this hands on workshop, you will learn the basics of SQL.  Prior experience with programming languages is recommended but not required.  There will be a one hour lunch break from 12-1 PM.

Open to ages 16 and up.

Side Quest Crafting: Dice Rolling Boxes
Saturday January 27th
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Join us every month for Side Quest Crafting, a craft session for teens to make their own awesome gaming & fantasy accessories.

This month we will be making DIY Dice Rolling Boxes.  Decorate them to be perfect for any campaign or customize for a specific character or realm.  Supplies are limited; please register ahead of time.

Side Quest Crafting is for teens in 6-12th grade.

Teen Movie Night: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Wednesday January 31st
6:00 pm - 8:30 pm

We have a sweet tooth for the new Wonka movie!  To celebrate all the Wonkas of the past, the library will be screening Charlie & the Chocolate Factory in the Teen Room.  No registration required.

Synopsis: A young boy wins a tour through the most magnificent chocolate factory in the world, led by the world's most unusual candy maker. (2005, Rated: PG)

Iris Book Club
Monday January 29th
4:30 pm - 5:30 pm