DEARBORN, Mich. – Dearborn’s public libraries are offering a great lineup of programs and special events for children and families to enjoy.
For more information about any of the following programs, visit www.dearbornlibrary.org, or call or visit one of Dearborn’s public libraries:
- Henry Ford Centennial Library (HFCL), 16301 Michigan Avenue, 943-2345.
- Bryant Branch Library, 221000 Michigan Avenue, 943-4091.
- Esper Branch Library, 12929 W. Warren Avenue, 943-4096.
- Snow Branch Library, 23950 Princeton Street, 274-1780.
Please note library policy. Program registration may be made by phone or in person. Those arriving more than 10 minutes after the scheduled program time may not be admitted. Child must be the required age on or before the first date of the program. Residents and cardholders are given preference.
Non-residents, 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 these programs should contact their local library or (TDD 943.2193.) Reasonable advance notice is required.
STORYTIMES
Mother Goose Storytime – For newborns up to 24 months. Rhymes, stories and playtime for the youngest ones. One adult per child is recommended for this hands-on fun. Registration is required. The next series starts on Friday, Oct. 16, at 10:30 a.m. at HFCL, with sessions at the same time and location on Friday, Oct. 23, and Friday, Oct. 30. Registration for that series starts Oct. 2. A storytime will also be offered at Snow Branch Library at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 20.
Tot Time – For those ages two and three. Children with a caregiver are invited for stories, songs and fun. Registration is required. The first session takes place on Wednesdays at 10:35 a.m. at Snow Branch Library through Sept. 30; registration is now underway. The second session takes place on these Wednesdays at the same time and location: Oct. 14-Nov. 4; registration begins Sept. 30.
Storytime – For ages two through five. Join us for stories, fingerplays, music and a craft. Children with a caregiver are invited for stories, songs and fun. Offered on Tuesdays through Oct. 13 at 11 a.m. at HFCL.
Preschool Storytime – For ages three through five. Children can join us for fingerplays, stories, songs and a simple craft. Registration is required. The first session is offered on Wednesdays through Sept. 30 at 1:30 p.m. at Snow Branch Library; registration is now underway. The second session is offered on Wednesdays from Sept. 23 through Oct. 28 at 11 a.m. at Esper Branch Library; registration is now underway. The third session is offered on Wednesdays from Oct. 14 through Nov.4 at 1:30 p.m. at Snow Branch Library; registration begins Sept. 30.
Pre-School Storytime – For ages three through five. Fall is a season of beautiful colors. In this eight-week program, we will look at a new color each week. This session ends in time to celebrate Halloween. It’s offered on Tuesdays through Oct. 27 at 2 p.m. at Bryant Branch Library. It’s offered on Wednesdays through Oct. 28 at 10:45 a.m., also at Bryant Branch Library.
Halloween Storytime – For ages two through six. Join us for some mildly scary stories, a craft and costume parade. The program is repeated: please pick only one date to attend. Registration begins Oct. 10. Choose from Saturday, Oct. 24, at 2 p.m. at HFCL or Tuesday, Oct. 27, at 11 a.m., also at HFCL.
CRAFT EVENTS
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 is now underway. 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. 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 is now underway. 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 through Sept. 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. Through Sept. 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.
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.
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MEDIA CONTACT: Mary Laundroche or Randy Coble, at (313) 943-2285