Enjoy stories, songs, rhymes, and a simple craft with your child!   Space is limited; please register online or at the Children's Desk beginning June 1st.

Tuesdays, June 20 - August 1 (no class July 4), 10:30 - 11am.

For more information, call or visit the Children's Room at 860-889-2365, ext. 114.

Enjoy 30 minutes of traditional rhymes, songs, fingerplays, and other activities for the very young; then stay (or not) for a one-hour open playgroup.  Older siblings are welcome to attend, also!  Drop-in; no registration required.

Mondays, June 19 & 26,  10:30am - 11am (Rhyme Time), 11am - 12pm (Playgroup)

Celebrate the start of our Summer Learning Program "One World" with a performance of national dances from Peru!  The performance will be held in the Atrium and is suitable for all ages.  Refreshments from around the world will be available.  No registration required.  

For more information, call or visit the Children's Room, 860-889-2365, ext. 114.

Claudette's fondest wish is to slay a giant; but her village is so safe and quiet what's a future giant slayer to do?! Packed with action and laughter, Giants Beware! by Jorge Aguirre and Rafael Rosado will win your heart and tickle your funny bone.  There will be pizza and related activities!  Please register. Pick up a copy of the book at the Front Desk. 

For more information, call or visit the Children's Desk, 860-889-2365, ext. 114.

Courtesy of Ms. Pepin - thank you!

Drop-in and read (or just visit) with our favorite therapy pug, Bella!   No registration required.

Enjoy making your own delicious ice cream sundae to welcome all the yummy joys of summer!  Stories and related activities complete the fun! For ages 8 – 11.   Space is limited; please register.

For more information, call or visit the Children's Room, 860-889-2365, ext. 114.

Join this joy-based music and movement class with your child!  For ages 2-5.  Space is limited, register for one or both classes.  Please register online or at the Children's Desk, (860) 889-2365, ext. 114.

Thursday's, June 1 & 8, 12:30 - 1:00 p.m.

Did you know the beloved classic "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?" by Bill Martin is 50 years old?  Help us celebrate this classic at our Brown Bear celebration!  Please register now.

For more information, call or visit the Children's Room, 860-889-2365, ext. 114.

Have fun this April vacation week with a presentation of Sportstacking with teacher Glenn Costello.  Improve your coordination and concentration through this cool activity!  If you're up to the challenge please register now; space is limited.  

Sponsored by Attorney Bart Sayet and Mis Lori Lindfors.

To celebrate "Youth Art Month" we will be having a colorful storytime!  Who doesn't love the color purple, especially after reading the delightful book Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson?  There will be stories, art and perhaps even purple food!  Each child will receive a copy of this beloved classic to take home.  Please register; space is limited.  For ages 3-5 and their grownup.  

Rescheduled to February 25.

Sponsored by The Friends of Otis Library.

Attend an elegant tea party with games, crafts and fun for you and your doll!  For girls 6-11. Space is limited; register to reserve your spot.  For more information, call or visit the Children's Room at 860-889-2365, ext 114.  Snow date is February 25.  Fee is $20 per child; $15 if parent/guardian is a member of the Friends of Otis Library.

Stop by and take advantage of this free craft day.  Celebrate Black History Month with a look at jazz and the many great African-American jazz musicians! Listen to jazz music as you create a cool picture of an instrument of your choice!  This is a drop-in craft; no registration required.

Stop by and take advantage of this free craft.  In honor of Black History Month, this drop-in craft will celebrate author and illustrator Faith Ringgold and her beautiful books and works of art!  She is best know for telling her stories through narrative quilts.  Use your imagination to create your own miniature paper quilt.  No registration required.  For all ages.

Sponsored by Attorney Bart Sayet and Ms. Lori Lindfors.

Artist LaShawn Cunningham will teach students dance and drum beats that reflect African-American heritage.  For ages 5 and up.  Please register.  

For more information, call or visit the Children's Room, 860-889-2365, ext. 114.

Come to this wonderful program on "Take Your Child To The Library Day!"  Professor Michelle Dunlap will present tales from her childhood and discuss the importance of storytelling in African-American cultural traditions.  After a snack break, students will practice storytelling and read aloud with a focus on techniques that encourage creativity and cultural pride. Please register.  

Celebrate the Chinese New Year with a Children's Craft!  Drop-in; no registration required. All ages welcome!  

Local artist Faith Satterfield will be on hand to help you create an original work of art relating to "What Does It Mean To Be Human?"  Faith is a mural artist, an internationally trained illustrator and teaching artist.  Drop-in; no registration required.  This program will take place in the Meeting Room.

This program is sponsored by Attorney Bart Sayet and Ms. Lori Lindfors.

In celebration of the opening of the Smithsonian's traveling exhibition, Exploring Human Origins: What Does It Mean To Be Human?, on display at Otis Library from January 7 - February 3, the Brazilian dance troupe Ginga Brasileira will be at the library to perform colorful, crowd-pleasing Afro-Brazilian dances that fuse rhythmic music with high-energy gymnastics and martial arts.  For all ages.

Exploring Human Origins: What Does It Mean To Be Human? was organized by the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History in collaboration with the American Library Association Public Program Office.  This project was made possible through the support of a grant from the John Templeton Foundation and support from the Peter Buck Human Origins Fund.

This drop-in free play for toddlers is a perfect chance for you and your child to meet others and have a fun morning!  No registration required.  For ages 2-3.

Tuesdays, December 6, 13 & 20, 10:30am - 11:30am.

Combine everyone's favorite food - cookies, pudding, and whipped cream, to make these amazing hot chocolate cookie cups!  Related activities complete the fun.  Space is limited; please register online or by calling the Children's Department at (860) 889-2365, ext. 114.

*Please note that food is being prepared and eaten in this program.  If your child has a food allergy concern we cannot be responsible for any possible reactions.  Any parent with a child who has food concerns must alert the staff and take full responsibility for the child during the program.

Made possible by the generosity of Attorney Bart Sayet and Ms. Lori Lindfors.

Enjoy the holiday season with stories and songs from Mrs. Claus!  Take a keepsake photo for your holiday memories!  Please register.

Children and families of all ages are welcome to attend this magical storytime.  Hear the tale of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker as dancers re-enact scenes.  Learn a dance, take photos with the Sugar Plum Fairy, and create a special keepsake!  Space is limited for this free program;  registration opens October 24.

For more information, call or visit the Children's Room (860) 889-2365, ext. 114.

Sponsored by Attorney Bart Sayet and Ms. Lori Lindfors

Learn about owls!  The Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center will bring these awesome birds to our Library so that we can learn about owls' unique adaptations for nocturnal life.  For families and children ages 4 and up.  Please register.  For more information, call or visit the Children's Room, (860) 889-2365, ext. 114.

Artist Jason Deeble, creator of the web comic Monster Haiku, will hold a workshop on comic art for students grades 2-5.  Please register online or call (860) 889-2365, ext. 114.  

Share your ideas and participate in program planning!  Meet other students your age and make new friends!  Work on projects to give back to the community.  Please register now.  Register online or by contacting the Front Desk at (860) 889-2365.  

Wednesdays, 5pm - 8pm in the Business Center

Something new!  Players of all ages and skill levels are invited to play chess.  Use one of our chess sets or bring your own.  If there is interest, drop-in chess will be available during all operating hours.

Read a Who Was Book!  Otis Library has over 20 Who Was books.  Pick your favorite or learn about a new historical figure!  Over pizza, we will talk about our choices.  Please register beginning August 20.  For grades 5-8. Program will take place in the Meeting Room.  For more information, call or visit the Children's Room, (860) 889-2365, ext. 114.

Join us for the official opening of the Children's Department "World Language Center" in conjunction with Welcoming America's "Welcoming Week!"  Welcome Week was designed to bring together immigrants and U.S.-born residents in a spirit of unity to raise awareness of the benefits of welcoming everyone, including new Americans.  There will be cultural food, art, activities, and more.  For all ages.  Drop-in.  Free!

For more information, call or visit the Children's Room, (860) 889-2365, ext. 114.

Attention Anime Fans!  The first official event of the Library Anime Club will kick off with an anime drawing workshop with artist Debra Hamuka-Falkenham.  Please register beginning August 15.  For grades 5 & up.  Program will take place in the Children's Department.

For more information, call or visit the Children's Room, (860) 889-2365, ext. 114.

Baseball season is here and Otis Library is proud to partner with the Connecticut Tigers again for the 2016 season! There are two ways to support Otis Library and enjoy a night at the ballpark:

Buy tickets for Otis Library Night at Dodd Stadium:  Friday, August 26, at 7:05pm.  CT Tigers vs. Vermont Lake Monsters; Fireworks after the game!  $8 each ($4 from each ticket goes to Otis Library)

Buy vouchers for any 2016 CT Tigers Game:  Choose your game!  $8 each ($4 from each ticket goes to Otis Library).

Tickets are available now by contacting Kate McDonald at (860) 889-2365, ext. 127 or kmcdonald@otis.lioninc.org.