DEARBORN — The city’s public libraries continue to offer programs for children and families.
For more information about any of the following programs, go to www.dearbornlibrary.org, or call or visit Henry Ford Centennial Library, 16301 Michigan Ave., (313) 943-2345; Bryant Branch Library, 221000 Michigan Ave., (313) 943-4091; Esper Branch Library, 12929 W. Warren Ave., (313) 943-4096l; Snow Branch Library, 23950 Princeton, (313) 274-1780.
STORYTIMES
Mother Goose Storytime – For newborns up to 24 months. Rhymes, stories and playtime for the youngest ones. One adult per child is recommended. Registration is required. The first session meets at 10:30 a.m. Sept. 11, 18 and 25 at HFCL: registration is underway. The second session meets Oct. 16, 23 and 30 at the same time and location; registration starts Oct. 2. Sessions are also offered at Snow Branch Library at 6 p.m. Sept. 15 and Oct. 20.
Tot Time – For those ages 2 and 3. Children with a caregiver are invited for stories, songs and fun. Registration is required. The first session at 10:35 a.m. Wednesdays from Sept. 9 to 30 at Snow Branch Library: registration is now underway. The second session meets Wednesdays from Oct. 14 to Nov. 4 at the same time and location; registration begins Sept. 30.
Storytime – Children ages 2 through 5 are invited for fingerplays, stories, songs and a simple craft. Offered at 11 a.m. Tuesdays through Oct. 13 at HFCL.
Preschool Storytime – Children ages 3 through 5 are invited for fingerplays, stories, songs and a simple craft. Registration is required. The first session is offered at 1:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Sept. 30 at Snow Branch Library; registration is underway. The second session is offered at 11 a.m. Wednesdays from Sept. 23 through Oct. 28 at Esper Branch Library; registration is underway. The third session is offered at 1:30 p.m. Wednesdays from Oct. 14 through Nov. 4 at Snow Branch Library; registration begins Sept. 30.
Pre-School Storytime – Children ages 3 through 5 are invited to this eight-week session showcasing autumn and Halloween. It’s offered at 2 p.m. Tuesdays through Oct. 27 at Bryant Branch Library; also at 10:45 a.m. Wednesdays through Oct. 28 at Bryant Branch Library.
Halloween Storytime – Children ages 2 through 6 are invited for some mildly scary stories, a craft and costume parade; 2 p.m. Oct. 24 at HFCL or at 11 a.m. Oct. 27 also at HFCL. Registration begins Oct. 10.
CRAFT EVENTS
Tween Sculpey Clay Pen Craft – For ages eight through 12. Write in style by using “sculpey” clay to create a cool looking pen. Registration is required and is now underway. Friday, Sept. 4, at 3 p.m. at HFCL. (Please note that participants arriving more than 10 minutes late will forfeit their registration.)
Grandparents Day Craft – For all ages. This is a drop-in craft, with no registration required. Saturday, Sept. 12, 2-3 p.m., Esper Branch Library.
Scrap Crafts – For all ages. Odds and end scrap kits from the library’s craft collection will be out for you to use. Younger children will need adult assistance. No registration is necessary. Crafting goes on while supplies last. Monday, Sept. 21, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., HFCL.
Holiday Craft – For all ages. Make a craft celebrating the end of Ramadan. Registration is required and begins Sept. 10. Craft is held on Thursday, Sept. 24, from 4-5 p.m. at Esper Branch Library.
Autumn Art – Make a beautiful craft you can use to decorate a door for “Fall into Dearborn.” No registration is required. Saturday, Oct. 3, at 12:30 p.m. at Bryant Branch Library.
Halloween Craft – For all ages. Registration required and begins Oct. 15. Event is Thursday, Oct. 29, from 4-5 p.m. at Esper Branch Library.
Third Thursday Craft – For all ages. No registration is required. Crafting is held while supplies last. Have fun making a “Read” doorknob hanger out of foam stickers. Thursday, Sept. 17, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at HFCL.
Third Thursday Craft – For all ages. No registration is required. Crafting is held while supplies last. Create a Halloween monster. Younger children will need adult assistance. Thursday, Oct. 15, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at HFCL.
PARTIES
Pirate Party – For ages five through 12. Ahoy, matey! To celebrate International Talk Like A Pirate Day, all scalawags are invited to enjoy swashbuckling stories, songs of the sea, and a treasure chest of crafts. Arrrgh! Registration begins Sept. 8. The party is Monday, Sept. 21, at 4:15 p.m., at Snow Branch Library.
Wild Things Party – For ages five through 12. In honor of release of the film Where the Wild Things Are, we will listen to a reading of Maurice Sendak’s classic picture book and have our own wild rumpus. Come dressed as your favorite character just for fun, if you wish. Registration begins Oct. 3. The party is Saturday, Oct. 17, at 2 p.m. at Snow Branch Library.
HALLOWEEN EVENTS
Haunted House – For all ages. Those who make it all the way through will receive a little Halloween treat. No registration required. Don’t worry — it won’t be too scary!! Tuesday, Oct. 27, from 6-8 p.m. at Esper Branch Library.
Haunted House of Wax Museum – For ages seven through 12. Tour guides will escort children into the museum to see figures of famous characters like Frankenstein, the Werewolf, the frightening headless librarian and more! Any bewitching moment characters may come to life to tell their bone-chilling tales. Gross snacks to disturb your stomach and a slimy drink are provided. Registration is required. Event is Friday, Oct. 30, at 4:30 p.m. at HFCL.
OTHER FUN STUFF
Wimp My Diary – For ages eight through 12. Give us a single eight and a half inch by 11-inch page with your illustrated, funniest diary entry anytime from Sept. 14-25 and we’ll post it for all to see. (Please remember to keep it age appropriate.) Kids ages eight through 12 get to vote for the winner from Sept. 28 through Oct. 9. Both the Wimpy Diary winner and a voter whose ticket is pulled by raffle will win copies of Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days. Event is held at HFCL.
Bag Giveaway – For ages 12 and up. Check out five or more books and get a cool bag. Sept. 14-19 at Esper Branch Library.
Fall Faces – Celebrate “Fall into Dearborn” with a special face decoration done by “Happy.” Saturday, Oct. 3, at 1 p.m. at Bryant Branch Library.
Comix Crew – For ages nine through 13. Interested in comics, manga, shonen, shojen, whatever you call it? Wanna talk about it? Wanna try making your own? Maybe even share your work? Hang with us! We’ll talk comics. We’ll try some stuff out together. Claim you can’t draw? We don’t expect you to be a master. You just need to be creative and want to have fun. Registration is required and begins Sept. 19. Event is Saturday, Oct. 3, at 2 p.m. at HFCL.
Book Cover Art – A colorful assortment of book covers will be available for Esper Branch Library patrons to take home to cover school textbooks. Supplies are limited and will be available only during library open hours. Book covers are available at Esper’s check-out desk during the month of September or until supplies run out. Bryant Branch Library is offering book covers to its patrons on Thursday, Sept. 10, and Saturday, Sept. 12.
Columbus Day Puzzler – Pick up a word search puzzle sheet from the check-out desk at Esper Branch Library anytime during Oct. 12-17. Return the completed sheet by Oct. 17. A returned and correct puzzle will allow you to pick a small gift from our treasure box. (Columbus Day is celebrated on October 12 this year to commemorate the landing of Christopher Columbus in the Americas in 1492.)
MICHIGAN READS! – For ages two through five. Celebrate the state with a reading of The Pout-Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen. Hear other fishy stories, rhymes and make a fun and fishy craft! Tuesday, Sept. 22, at 11 a.m. at HFCL. Michigan Reads! Is a statewide program highlighting the importance of early childhood literacy by focusing on a picture book by a Michigan author.
Participants in all programs are asked to follow library policy. Registration can be made by phone or in person. Those arriving more than 10 minutes after the scheduled program time may not be admitted.
Children must be the required age on or before the first date of the program. Residents and cardholders are given preference.
Nonresidents without library cards will be placed on a waiting list and contacted only if a vacancy occurs. Individuals with disabilities who require special accommodations, auxiliary aids or services to attend or participate in programs should contact their local library or call the telecommunications device for the deaf line at (313) 943-2193. Reasonable advance notice is required.
For more information about any of the programs go to www.dearbornlibrary.org or call or visit one of the public libraries