New Items
Preschool & Kids Programs – Winter/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
VALENTINE’S DAY – MOTHER’S DAY – FATHER’S DAY – CHRISTMAS – EASTER – HALLOWEEN – SPRING – SUMMER – AUTUMN – WINTER – FAIRY TALES – SPACE EXPLORERS – CANADA – BEARS – EMOTIONS – DINOSAURS – LIFE ON THE FARM – ANIMALS – TRANSPORTATION – LIFE IN THE OCEAN – BUGS, BUGS, BUGS – SURPRISE –
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 – Winter/Spring 2023
Registration begins January 12th, 2023
Heure du conte avec Emily (French Activity)
Embrun Branch
Tuesdays 10 :15 AM – 10 :45 AM
February 7th to April 18th (no activity on March 14th)
Join us for stories, songs and crafts with Emily!
For children 3 to 4 years old. Registration required. Cost: $25 (or $2.50/session)
Storytime & Crafts with Kristina (English Activity)
Russell Branch
Wednesdays 10:30 -11:30 AM
February 8th to April 19th (no activity on March 15th)
Get ready for stories, crafts, and laughs with Kristina !
For children 3 to 4 years old. Registration required. Cost: $25
Babies & Books (Bilingual activity)
Russell branch
Mondays 11:00-11:30 AM
January 16th to March 27th (no activity on February 20th)
Join the fun with Allison! Sing songs and rhymes, discover finger plays & other book related activities. For babies 0 to 18 months old & their parent or caregiver. Drop-in program. No cost.
In partnership with la Maison de la famille.
Toddler Time with Stephanie (Bilingual Activity)
Russell Branch
Fridays at 10:00-10:30 AM
February 3rd to April 21st
(no activity on March 17th and April 7th)
Listen to Stephanie read stories, sing songs together, and play games. A bilingual program for children 18 to 36 months old & their parent or caregiver.
Drop-in. No cost.
Storytime and Games (Bilingual Activity)
Russell Branch
Thursdays 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
January 5th to April 27th
An imaginary world let’s go! With each book, a new adventure begins. Have fun participating in the activities after the story. A free, drop in program for the whole family.
In partnership with Early On Child and Family Centre.
Club de lecture junior (French Activity)
(Grades 3-5)
Embrun Branch
3rd Wednesday of the month at 4:15 PM – 5 PM
Join us for a monthly book discussion and a craft. New members welcome at any time. No cost.
Registration required.
January 18, February 15, March 22, April 19, May 17
Junior Book Club (English Activity) FULL
(Grades 3-5)
Russell Branch
1st Wednesday of the month at 4:15 PM – 5 PM
Join us for a monthly book discussion, a craft and a snack. New members welcome at any time. No cost.
January 11: Babysitter’s Club – Kristy’s Great Idea / Ann Martin
February 1: The Brilliant World of Tom Gates / Liz Pichon
March 1: El Deafo / Cece Bell
April 5: When the Stars Are Scattered / Victoria Jamieson
May 3: Epic Zero / R.L. Ullman
Youth Book Club (English Activity)
(Grades 6-8)
Russell Branch
1st Thursday of the month at 4:15 PM – 5 PM
Join us for a monthly book discussion, a craft and a snack. New members welcome at any time. No cost.
January 12: Better Off-Friends / Elizabeth Eulberg
February 2: Drama / Raina Telgemeier
March 2: The Night Diary / Verra Hiranadani
April 6: The Science of Breakable Things / Tae Keller
May 4: Diary of a Wimpy Kid / Jeff Kinney
After School Club (Bilingual Activity)
Russell Branch : last Tuesday of the month 4 PM – 5 PM
Embrun Branch : last Thursday of the month 4 PM – 5 PM
For children 7 years old and up
New challenges every month: Pokémon battles, Minecraft board games and Lego challenges.
Registration required. No cost.
Russell Branch dates: January 31, February 28, March 28, April 25, May 30
Embrun Branch dates: January 26, February 23, March 30, April 27, May 25
Heure du conte en pyjama: c’est le printemps!
Succursale Russell en anglais
Succursale Embrun en français
le vendredi 21 avril à 18h30
Pour les enfants de 5 à 7 ans.
Viens célébrer le printemps avec nous: histoires, bricolage et collation. Porte ton pyjama préféré !
Inscription requise. Coût: 7 $
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.