Ames Free Library

"Where the Community Connects"

Youth Services

Early Literacy Activities: TALK

Many of us native English speakers don’t think twice about the language we use with our children – but if your native language is anything other than English, use it! Encourage grandparents, caregivers, or anyone else Baby interacts with on a regular basis to use the language with which they are most fluent. Contrary to some concerns, this does not confuse babies or delay their speech; it simply gives them more words to express themselves when they are ready to talk. 

Program Updates: DinoMan show TONIGHT!

Watch DinoMan’s DINOSAURS show on Zoom tonight, Monday, July 6, at 6:00 PM!

Fossils, magic, and science are blended into a fun 35- to 40-minute program. You’ll be taken on a trip through the Mesozoic era to learn about which dinosaurs lived at that time, and what kind of fossil record they left behind. What is a fossil anyway, and how were they made? This is a fun and informative program for all ages. 

Family Fun: Imagine Your... Escape Room?

Looking for a different kind of family activity? Check out our virtual quizzes and escape rooms based on our summer Imagine Your Story theme! 

Every other Monday, there will be a new quiz focused on some imaginative theme, and the following week there will be a virtual escape room to explore based on the same subject. Throughout the summer, you’ll explore space, gain superpowers, conjure up some magic, commandeer a pirate ship, and tame mythical creatures. 

Early Literacy Activities: PLAY

When a child is engaging in dramatic play, she is also learning how to tell a story. The older she gets, the more elaborate her stories become - but even toddlers who start to create make-believe with their toys are telling stories! When a stuffed animal gets tucked into bed - there’s a story behind it. When the truck rolls over a cardboard box - there’s a story behind it. When he tells you what happened first, what came next, and how it all ended, he’s just told a story! 

Program Updates: ReadSquared Missions

Have you signed up for summer reading yet? Do it now! It’s all online, so you can sign up, record your reading, and select your prize beads (kids up to age 12) or raffle tickets (teens and adults) right from your device!

Once you’re logged in, check out all fun extras! Follow your reading progress on the game board, play mini-games, enter codes to earn fun badges (you’ll find those with some program links), and look for your personal secret missions!

Spotlight on: Pride Month

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month (LGBT Pride Month) is celebrated annually in June to honor the 1969 Stonewall riots, and works to achieve equal justice and equal opportunity for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) Americans. Today, celebrations include pride parades, picnics, parties, workshops, symposia and concerts, and LGBT Pride Month events attract millions of participants around the world. 

The following are some LGBTQ+ YA titles to check out!

Program Updates: Mr. Wayne kicks off Family Fun Events!

Although our summer events look different this year, we are still hosting a variety of family and children’s activities and events. The Family Fun events that are usually held in our garden will instead be held in YOUR garden (or living room)! Our traditional season opener, Mr. Wayne Potash, will host a Zoom concert tonight, Monday, June 22 at 6:00 PM. If you miss the live event, you can watch the recording for two weeks following the event (through Monday, July 6).

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