Kids

We offer storytimes and afterschool programs during the school year as well as our annual Summer Reading Program. Click on your local PCPL location below to learn more about what's happening at a library near you!

Handprint Flower Bouquets (Presentation)

Special Events
- Dino Walk - Friday, May 15, 3:30 pm
  The Chatham Dino Walk is coming up!
  We have a Summer Reading 2026 kick-off event planned for Friday, May 15th, at the Chatham Library at 3:30pm, and we would love to have as many different dinosaurs as possible! We are inviting children and adults alike to dress up as dinosaurs for a “Dino Walk” from the library to Main Street, around the block, and back.
  Please join your friends and neighbors in this fun kick-off to the summer!
Current programs and events
- Tot Time – Wednesdays, 10:30 – 11:00 am
  Toddler storytime includes songs, rhymes, and activities that will get you moving! The books we read will be interactive and engaging. If your little one has graduated from crawling to confident walking, toddler storytime is for you!
- Little U – Thursdays, 10:30-11:00 am
  Preschool storytime will focus on more complicated rhymes that play on this age group’s developing sense of humor, and spend more time reading sillier and lengthier stories!
- May the 4th – Monday, May 4, 10am-2pm
  Chatham Library invites you to celebrate Star Wars on Monday May 4th! Join us for crafts, have some snacks, take selfies at our superhero selfie station, and enjoy a morning of sup-themed activities. Costumes are encouraged! All ages.
- Friday Paws – Friday, May 22, 3:00-4:30 pm
  On the fourth Friday each month, children are invited to practice their reading skills by sharing a book with a furry friend. Reading to therapy dogs can help improve kids' confidence in their reading abilities as well as help with emotional and social skills. Drop-in between 3:00 to 4:30 pm to give your child an opportunity to practice their reading skills one-on-one with a trained therapy dog.
Outreach
Contact Allison, the Chatham Youth Services Specialist, at 434-432-3271 to request an outreach visit to your daycare or school.

Special Events
- Gretna Branch Library's 3rd Annual Easter Egg Hunt on
  
  Thursday, April 2, 2026, after school at 3:30 p.m.
  
  Registration IS REQUIRED so that we can have an accurate headcount of participants.
  REGISTRATION CLOSED
Kids & Family
- Baby Tales
  Tuesdays, April 14, 21 and 28 at 10:30 am – 11:00 am
  Baby Tales is an interactive literacy program designed for children ages 0-24 months. Children and caregivers are introduced to the basic building blocks of literacy through nursery rhymes, stories, finger plays, and music in a fun and educational environment. Programs may include time for unstructured play and socialization.
- Story Time
  Wednesdays, April 1, 15, 22 and 29 at 10:30 am – 11:00 am
  Story Time is an interactive literacy program designed for children ages 2-5 years. Children and caregivers are introduced to basic building blocks of literacy through stories, rhymes, and music in a fun and educational environment. Program may end with a brief activity.
- LEGO Challenge
  1st Wednesday of the Month, April 1 at 3:30 – 4:30 pm and 6:00 – 7:00 pm
  LEGO Challenge is an interactive multi-literacy program that integrates Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (S.T.E.A.M.) concepts aimed at developing innovation, imagination, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. School age children are introduced to the building blocks of one or more S.T.E.A.M learning concepts through exploratory hands-on activities in a fun and educational environment. School age children integrate engineering concepts and their imagination with hands-on building challenges with LEGO bricks.
- Art Explorers
  2nd Wednesday of the Month, April 15 at 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
  Art Explorers is an interactive multi-literacy program that integrates Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (S.T.E.A.M.) concepts aimed at developing innovation, imagination, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. School age children will develop self-expression, problem solving skills, and in novation during a period of guided creation with a variety of materials and tools.
- Bingo for Books
  Tuesday, April 21 at 4:30 pm and Saturday, April 25 at 11:00 am
  Patrons of all ages are welcome to join us for an afternoon of Bingo.
  Win a game, pick a book as your prize!
- S.T.E.A.M, 3rd Wednesday of the Month
  Wednesday, April 22 at 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
  S.T.E.A.M. is an interactive multi-literacy program that integrates Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (S.T.E.A.M.) concepts aimed at developing innovation, imagination, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. School age children are introduced to the building blocks of one or more S.T.E.A.M. learning concepts through exploratory hands-on activities in a fun and educational environment.
- Gametastic
  4th Wednesday of the Month, April 29 at 3:30 – 4:30 pm and 6:00 – 7:00 pm
  Gametastic is an interactive gaming program designed to maximize play as a means of developing critical thinking skills, social skills, or strategy skills. Children are introduced to various games and gaming techniques through exploratory hands-on activities in a fun and educational environment.

Outreach
- Contact Cammie, the Gretna Youth Services Specialist, at 434-290-3223 to request an outreach visit to your daycare or school.

Current programs and events
- Mother Goose on the Loose – Wednesdays at 10:30 AM, Ages 0-2
  A fun-filled, interactive early literacy program that uses rhymes, songs, scarves, and more to stimulate the learning process of babies and toddlers!
- Preschool Storytime – Thursdays at 10:30 AM, Ages 3-5
  Help your child get ready to read with this early literacy program including books, music, movement, and more!
- Sock Bunnies, Thursday, Apr. 2, 4 PM, Ages 5+
  Make and decorate a sock bunny with various craft materials! First come, first serve as supplies last.
- LEGO Block Printing, Tuesday, Apr. 7, 11 AM OR 5 PM, Ages 5+
  Create a LEGO design that you will then dip into paint and make patterned art!
- Grow Your Own World Craft, Thursday, Apr. 9, 4 PM, Ages 5+
  Create a model of the earth using seeds that will sprout green in time for Earth Day! Registration required.
- Diamond Art Stickers Drop-In Craft, Friday, Apr. 10, 11 AM-3 PM, Ages 6 to Adult
  Bedazzle a sticker of your choice using the pattern and jewels provided. Drop in and DIY.
- Recycled Crafts, Saturday, Apr. 11, 11 AM, Ages 6 to Adult
  Meets one Saturday each month to take something old and create something new! This month we will be using coffee cup lids to make suncatchers. Registration required.
- Weeklong Puzzle Swap, Monday, Apr. 13 - Saturday, Apr. 18
  Bring a puzzle, take a puzzle! We will have a table available all week long with puzzles for all interests. You may take one puzzle for each one you bring.
- Homeschool Junction, Tuesday, Apr. 14, 2 PM
  This interactive program is for homeschooling families of all ages. Families meet to socialize, do schoolwork, and exchange tips and tricks about their homeschooling experiences.
- Mushroom Crafts, Thursday, Apr. 16, 4 PM, Ages 5 to Adult
  Make two different types of mushroom crafts using egg cartons, paint and clay.
- Book BINGO, Saturday, Apr. 18, 11 AM, All Ages
  Play BINGO to win books! No registration is required.
- Last Chance Crafts, April 20-April 30, or While Supplies Last
  Help us spring clean by taking extra crafts off our hands! Each patron is invited to choose a bag of materials to create an art project at home.
- Jelly Bean Taste Testing, Wednesday, Apr. 22, 4:30-5:30 PM, Ages 6-18
  Celebrate National Jelly Bean Day with a Jelly Bean Tasting Event & Contest. We will discuss different flavors and brands, and have a guessing contest, too!
- Animal Crossing Day, Saturday, Apr. 25, 11 AM, All Ages ANCH players, we’re meeting up to discuss each other’s characters and islands! Bring your Nintendo Switch so we can visit each other’s worlds. There will be a craft and scavenger hunt as well. Registration required.
- LEGO Lab, Wednesday, Apr. 29, 4-7 PM, Ages 5+
  Bring your imagination and join us to try a STEAM-informed building challenge. Free-building is always welcome!
Outreach
- - Contact Sharon, the Mt. Hermon Youth Services Specialist, at 434-835-0326 to request an outreach visit to your daycare or school.

Online Resources

Access Video: Just for Kids -- Enjoy TV shows like Arthur, Sesame Street, Odd Squad, SciGirls, and much more, including: read-along storybooks and learning videos to explore topics like reading, writing, math, arts and science.

Gale in Context Elementary -- Gale In Context: Elementary meets the research needs of students in Kindergarten through grade 5, with age-appropriate content from magazines, newspapers, and reference materials, covering current events, the arts, science, health, people, government, history, and more.

Homework HelpNow -- Connect LIVE with a certified tutor, seven days a week between 2 and 11 pm, for assistance with assignments and research, including math, reading, writing, science, social studies, and more! Submit your papers to a tutor in the Writing Lab for constructive feedback or take practice exams and create your own flashcards to prepare for tests. Tutoring is available in English and Spanish.

See all Pittsylvania Online Resources

Kids

Online Resources

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