New Items
Preschool & Kids Programs – Spring 2023
Our preschool programs offer age-appropriate books, finger plays, songs, rhymes, puppets, crafts and other book-related activities. Parents or caregivers are asked to participate in our sessions.
FAMILY STORY BUNDLES

Pressed for time? Need some picture books and activities for your little one(s)? Request a Family Story Bundle: A ready-made bundle which will include picture books, a song, and instructions for a craft based on age and theme. Simply email or call us with your request for a Family Story Bundle with the age and desired theme. 613.445.5331 mylibrary@russellbiblio.com
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Kids Programs – Beanstack Challenges

1,000 Books Before Kindergarten
On-Going Challenge
The Township of Russell Public Library is excited to announce a new on-going program at both of our branches. 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten is an early literacy program designed to help parents and caregivers give their young children the confidence necessary to become strong readers. The goal is to have read 1,000 books (yes, you can repeat books) before your little one finishes kindergarten.
We are using the reading platform Beanstack to track participants’ milestones and we will also have a Reading Wall and prizes. Interested to participate? Have a look at this page.
Kids Programs –Spring 2023

Storytime and Games (Bilingual Activity)
Russell Branch – OUTDOORS
Thursdays 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
(no activity on May 25, June 22, July 13, & August 3)
Come join Mélissa for story time! With each book, a new adventure begins. Have fun participating in the activities after the story. This playgroup will be hosted outside.
A free, drop in program for the whole family.
In partnership with Early On Child and Family Centre.

Summer Programming
Mark your calendars! Our summer programs will be launched on June 12th!
Summer is right around the corner!
EARLY LITERACY
Learning starts at birth
Research shows that children learn the skills they need to read years before they start school. There are 6 pre-reading skills that children must acquire in order to learn to read successfully. These skills are as follows:
- Print Awareness
- Phonological Awareness
- Print Motivation
- Vocabulary
- Narrative Skills
- Letter Knowledge
Parents and Caregivers
Parents and caregivers play an important role in helping children get ready to read. Your children learn best by doing things and they love doing things with you! Early childhood is a magical time for learning and exploration, and there’s so much for you and your young child to discover at the Township of Russell Public Library.
You are the key to your child’s success in reading…
Read. Talk. Play.
There is a direct connection between reading aloud and later reading success. Ask your child questions as you read aloud, and talk about the pictures to involve your child in the story. Children who grow up in conversational homes – with parents who talk to them and encourage them to talk – have an edge over children who hear very little language. Have fun with word games and making up silly songs and rhymes. Children who play with sounds of words before they enter school are better prepared to learn to read.
Resources for parents
Today’s Parents
A website about pregnancy, baby and toddler advice for Canadian parents.
The Canadian Children’s Book Centre
The Canadian Children’s Book Centre (CCBC) is a national, not-for-profit organization dedicated to encouraging, promoting and supporting the reading, writing, illustrating and publishing of Canadian books for young readers.
Tech Savvy Kids
EARLY LITERACY WORKSTATIONS
Kids from the ages of 2 to 8 have access to a bilingual early literacy workstation in each library branch. This special computer, which is equipped with a colourful keyboard and LCD screen, offers a full range of English and French educational software programs.
GIANT TOUCH SCREEN COMPUTER + IPADS
Also available in the Kids Section of both library branches are a giant touchscreen computer and iPads which are equipped with educational applications in English and French.