Wednesday, January 18, 4-5 pm | Mitchell

Get ready for the year of the rabbit! We’ll read stories, make a paper lantern, and learn about the Chinese zodiac.

Featured Children's Events

Click HERE to see ALL upcoming Young Minds programming!

Wacky Wednesday Fun!
Wednesdays, 4-5 pm | Mitchell

Ages 5 and up and their caregivers.

January 4: Dash & Dots

Learn about coding and robotics! Using the Dash, Dot and Cue educational robots, provided by SCSU's Buley Library Makerspace, we'll explore how robots take directions, move, and even dance!

January 11 & January 25: LEGO Club

Blue and orange Dash robot

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.

Colorful letters spelling STEAM surrounded by thematic clipart
January 4: Create Designs with LEGOs

January 11: Coding with Ozobots

January 18: Tessellations

January 25: The Science of Bubbles

Three Kings Day/Día de los Tres Reyes Magos

featuring Movimento Cultural Afro Continental

Thursday, January 5, 3-4:30 pm | Wilson

Join us for our annual Wilson Branch tradition: Three Kings Day! The Three Kings will pay a visit with special guests: Movimiento Cultural Afro Continental, who perform Afro Puerto Rican Bomba Drumming and Dancing. The Three Kings will also give out gifts courtesy of the Peabody Museum to children on a first come first serve basis.

Cartoon of the three kings in front of Wilson library and photo of Movimiento Cultural Afro Continental

Board Game Night
Thursdays, 5-6 pm | Wilson

Join us for some afternoon fun playing board games and party games. Come by to learn and play games like Chess, Battleship, Pictionary, Scrabble and more. Choose from one of our games or bring your own and take a friend!

Wonderful Books and Where to Find Them
Saturday, January 7, 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 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, we’ll be reading We March by Shane W. Evans. Join us in person in the Children's Room!

We March book cover

Children's Authors and Illustrators Series:

Calvin Ramsey
Saturday, January 14, 11 am-12 pm | Ives

Join author, playwright, and photographer Calvin Ramsey as he discusses his book Belle, the Last Mule at Gee's Bend: A Civil Rights Story in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Event will take place in the Children's Room (2nd floor).

Belle, the Last Mule at Gee's Bend book cover

Hygge Story Time
Monday, January 23, 6-7 pm | Mitchell

‘Hygge’ is a Danish word for coziness and contentment. Come in your PJs and bring a snuggly blanket for an extra cozy evening story time! Stay for hot cocoa and a fun craft.

Stay and Play
Mondays, 10-11:30 am | Stetson - up to age 4
Tuesdays, 10:30-11:30 am | Fair Haven

Bilingual (Quédate y Juega) - up to age 5

Tuesdays, 11:30 am-12 pm | Mitchell - up to age 4

Stories, songs, and playtime for children with a caregiver.

Cartoon owl reading book to animal friends

Story Time

Mondays and Wednesdays, 11-11:30 am | Ives

Join us in the Children's Room for stories, songs, and playtime.  For children from birth-5 with a caregiver.

Cartoon of open book

LEGO Clubs
Wednesdays, 3-5 pm | Wilson - ages 5-12

Wednesday, Jan. 11 and 25, 4-5 pm | Mitchell - ages 5+

LEGO blocks

Click HERE to see all upcoming Young Minds programming!

Featured Teen and Tween Programs

After School Arts
Tuesdays, 3-4 pm | Fair Haven

Join us each week for a surprise arts and crafts project. All supplies will be provided. Open to teens and tweens.

Multicolored handprints

Teen Tech and Makerspace Drop-In
Wednesdays, 4-6 pm | Stetson

Hey teens! Come check out Stetson's makerspace, tech toys, and gaming room. We have robots, gaming, 3D pens and printer, button makers, sewing, and more! Join us every Wednesday!

Colorful electrical-circuit pathways

Music Room Open Hours
Wednesdays, 5-6 pm | Wilson

Experiment with keyboards, synthesizer, drum machines, guitars, ukuleles, mandolin, accordion and more!. Get pointers, sheet music, a quick tutorial or learn to record your own song. First Come, First Serve and Space is Limited.

Assortment of musical instruments

STEM Sampler
Thursday, January 5 and 19, 3-4 pm | Fair Haven

Join us for an easy-to-follow STEM activity. You will learn a little science, have a lot of fun, and take home the results. All supplies provided. Open to teens and tweens.

Board Game Buffet
Thursday, January 12 and 26, 3-5 pm | Fair Haven

Stop by to play a wide variety of new and classic tabletop games. Feel free to bring your own game. Open to teens and tweens.

Youth Chess
Thursdays, 4-5 pm | Ives

Learn basic rules and strategy, play games, and discuss chess in a friendly setting. Join us in the Children's Room. Recommended for ages 7 and up.

Library Updates

Library Holiday Closures:

The New Haven Free Public Library will be closed for New Year’s on Saturday, December 31 at 2 pm and all day on Monday, January 2, as well as all day on Monday, January 16 for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

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