Children's Activities

Dial-A-Story

A child may have a story read to him/her over the phone by dialing: (618) 532-5374, Dial-A- Story.  This service is sponsored by the Centralia Junior Women's Club.

Born To Bloom

The "Born to Bloom" Infant Literacy Program at the Centralia Regional Library District is a program that encourages parents of newborns to begin reading to their newborns soon after birth.  Learning to read is a process that actually starts in the earliest stages of life, and the Centralia Library District invites parents of our district with children nine months old and younger to visit the main library and receive a free "Born to Bloom" Literacy Encouragement Kit.  This kit is filled with lots of great items and information meant to assist parents in the formation of strong and healthy reading habits in their babies.  The project was funded with a LSTA Grant from the Office of the Illinois Secretary of State, Jesse White,  through the Illinois State Library.

Preschool Circle Time

Circle time is for children, 5 years old and younger, and their parent/guardian(s); and will include stories, music crafts, and discovery time. Advance registration is not required for this program. Circle time is held twice a month in the Children's Library on the 2nd floor of the Main Library in Centralia. Call  532-5222 extension 224 for current time and days.

Summer Reading Program

Program designed to encourage toddlers and children through the sixth grade to read or be read to throughout the summer.  Story times and special guest speakers are planned to enhance the theme of the program and educate the participants.  The theme for Summer Reading 2010 is Scare Up a Good Book. The theme for 2011 is  a Midsummer Knight's Read.

Field Trips

Many groups use the library for field trips. The groups include school classes, day cares, scout troops, Soaring on Saturday.  If you would like to schedule a field trip to the Main Library, please contact the Children's Librarian at (618) 532-5222 extension 224. To schedule a field trip to the libraries in Hoffman, Irvington, Odin, or Sandoval call the library you wish to visit. Telephone numbers are available here.

Class Visits 

Some local schools and daycare classes visit the library on a regular basis.  The students check out books, learn library skills, and listen to stories.  The daycare students use the Learning Center and listen to stories.  Teachers may call (618) 532-5222 extension 224 to schedule a class visit to the Main Library. To schedule a visit to the libraries in Hoffman, Irvington, Odin, or Sandoval call the library you wish to visit. Telephone numbers are available here.

Discovery Room

The Discovery Room, at the Main Library, houses the picture book and toddler collections.  Also located in the room are a fire engine-shaped fire awareness bookshelf constructed and donated by the Centralia Firefighters Association Local #618 and the Metro East Professional Firefighters Association and the Sue Babb Memorial Parent Child Learning Center.  The Learning Center is designed for children six and under to learn and develop skills through play.  Each station has an activity for the child to complete under the guidance of the parent.  It is open during library hours and is available to any child six and under who is accompanied by an adult.  The theme of the Learning Center changes every six to eight weeks.

Project Next Generation

Project Next Generation is for 6th-8th graders who attend workshops at the Main Library after school to work on technology projects. The primary goal of this program is to provide opportunities for computer skill and personal development as well as motivating students to reach new levels of achievement and self-esteem. For more information on this program check out the official PNG site.

Dinosaur Lovers In Our District Would Like To Give A Special Thanks To The Ezra Jack Keats Foundation 

The Centralia Regional Library District's Children's Library would like to extend a special thanks to the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation for the Foundation's support of the library's Dinosaurs Galore: A Month of Discovery Program in February / March of 2006.  To learn more about the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation, please visit the foundation's website which can be found here.