Storytime – Fall 2024
September 17 – November 23
View the Fall Storytime Schedule!
500 by Five
Help your child read 500 books by age five! Reading with your child helps them get read for school, increase their vocabulary, improve logical thinking, and more. See more information about 500 by Five and get started!
Earn an Honorary MLS!
We’re offering an opportunity for aspiring librarians to learn more about what we do and earn an honorary MLS (Mini Library Science) certificate! See more information and schedule an appointment!
Virtual Storytime and Activities
Watch virtual storytimes, get ideas for playtime with your little one, and more!
If you need special accommodations for any Library event or program, please submit our Accommodations Request form as soon as possible. Join us for an exciting journey into Process Art, where imagination knows no bounds. Let your little ones unleash their inner artist through hands on activities that celebrate the joy of creation. From painting to collage to sculpture and more, this program promises a new adventure in art! We'll learn some basic coding concepts, build mazes, and code instructions for our Botley robots to find their way through. Please register each child attending. No coding experience required; this program is intended for beginners in the lower elementary grades. This session is now FULL- space is available in the 11am session: https://stmalib.libnet.info/event/11629573 We'll learn some basic coding concepts, build mazes, and code instructions for our Botley robots to find their way through. Please register each child attending. No coding experience required; this program is intended for beginners in the lower elementary grades. Learn to make fresh apple cider! Learn about the life cycle of apples from seeds to trees and fruit, see how a cider press works, then get hands-on and help make a batch of fresh apple cider! Please register each child who will attend (accompanying adults do not need to register). This program is rain-or-shine, and takes place at the pavilion at Cecil Park (19241 St Georges Church Rd, Valley Lee, MD 20692). THIS SESSION IS NOW FULL! Spaces are still available in the 1pm session at Lexington Park Library: https://stmalib.libnet.info/event/11732253 Come dressed in your most patriotic outfit and learn how voting can make a difference in your community! This is a special story time intended to for participants with lower elementary abilities to learn why election day is such a big deal. We will talk about what voting is, read a story about voting, and cast our ballot to choose the design for our very own button! Storytime will be followed by election day craft activities and a photobooth to show off your commitment to learning how you can change your community! This event is intended to educate young citizens on what is happening during election season and why it matters. Registration opens 2 weeks before the event. Learn to make fresh apple cider! Learn about the life cycle of apples from seeds to trees and fruit, see how a cider press works, then get hands-on and help make a batch of fresh apple cider! Please register each child who will attend (accompanying adults do not need to register). This program is rain-or-shine; in case of bad weather we'll move indoors. Join us for an exploration of Generative Artificial Intelligence! Are you curious about the new wave of AI, but don’t know where to start? Join us as we discuss what AI is, what it can do (and can’t do), and spend some time practicing with it! We’ll be exploring ChatGPT and Magic Studio in the computer lab. A word of caution to participants: these Generative AI programs will produce information based on what is put into it, so there is the possibility for inappropriate outcomes based on inappropriate inputs. Due to this, we ask that parents register themselves along with their children and stay for the duration of the program. Join us for learning-based crafts, games, and activities as we play our way to developing valuable school readiness skills such as fine motor control, following directions, and group participation. Activities are designed with preschoolers in mind and vary week to week. No registration required. Teens and tweens are invited to come vibe with us for weekly-themed hangouts! Games, art, music and more in store.
No registration required! Stay a little or awhile. Snacks, activities, and good vibes provided. Tween session (Ages 8-12): 3-4 PM Teen session (Ages 13-18): 4-5 PM Week 1: Crafts/Art Week 2: Video Games Week 3: STEM Hangout Week 4: Board Games Visit the library to make a craft with our 3D Pens. This program is intended for upper elementary aged children and tweens. Please register every member of your family that is attending. Due to library policies, children under age 14 must be accompanied by an adult to use the equipment. Because of this, we ask that both parents and children register themselves for this program and that parents assist their children with the 3D pens. Growing up is a process! This program is designed to help you understand what to expect when puberty starts and how your body will change. We'll talk strategies for managing your health through these changes and address common concerns. With easy-to-follow advice and a supportive atmosphere, you’ll be ready for your first steps into womanhood! Don't miss the educational journey that'll boost self-love and confidence! Register to reserve your spot; walk-ins welcome as space allows. Please use the Add Guest button to register each member of your group. This program is made possible with support from the St. Mary's County Health Department and Stella's Girls Inc. Stella’s Girls Free to Be Me series focuses on menstrual health management and period poverty within our community and targets ages 10-24 and underserved populations such as Black and Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC), students receiving Free and Reduced Meals (FARMS), children in foster care, people with disabilities and the LGBTQ+ community. No storytime today due to staff shortage - instead find a fun family activity such as coloring or a simple game with books and room to play. Storytime will resume next week. It's gaming day! Join us as we hang out and play various Nintendo Switch games such as Overcooked 2, Classic Sonic, Just Dance, and more. Controllers will be provided, but please know if you decide to bring your personal controller the library is not liable if anything were to happen to it. Join us for learning-based crafts, games, and activities as we play our way to developing valuable school readiness skills such as fine motor control, following directions, and group participation. Activities are designed with preschoolers in mind and vary week to week. No registration required. Have you ever wanted to put your own spin on your favorite book's cover art? Join us in the Makerspace to make that happen! Teens are welcomed into the Makerspace for this three part program! We'll be meeting every second Wednesday evening of September, October, and November to create brand new faces for our favorite books! We will plan, paint, and put text on your brand new cover art! There will be messes, music, and good vibes. Materials will be provided, including paint. Please wear clothes you are willing to sacrifice to your creative cause! Registration is required. Teens and tweens are invited to come vibe with us for weekly-themed hangouts! Games, art, music and more in store.
No registration required! Stay a little or awhile. Snacks, activities, and good vibes provided. Tween session (Ages 8-12): 3-4 PM Teen session (Ages 13-18): 4-5 PM Week 1: Crafts/Art Week 2: Video Games Week 3: STEM Hangout Week 4: Board Games Join us for a creative fall-themed art activity, using windows as your canvas! Upper Elementary aged kids can use washable window markers to transform the windows in the children's hallway into a Fall Fantasy. Registration is limited to 10, so register early to ensure your spot! Make a fluffy goldfish friend to take home! Using an everyday metal fork, a little bit of yarn, and a lot of creativity, learn how to make a mini pom-pom fish and customize it with eyes and fins for extra personality. This puffy pocket size pal doesn't need to be fed but it does need a place to swim! Assemble an adorable mini aquarium and your low-maintenance pet will be ready to settle in to its new home! This program is intended for upper elementary age children. All materials provided. Please register each child attending. Join us for learning-based crafts, games, and activities as we play our way to developing valuable school readiness skills such as fine motor control, following directions, and group participation. Activities are designed with preschoolers in mind and vary week to week. No registration required. Are you wild for wildlife? Learn "fur" real at an interactive nature education exhibition! Upper Elementary ages and tweens are invited to a wild learning experience featuring the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Education K-12 Curriculum! Learn about Maryland's 14 species of furbearers with an up close and personal look at fur, bones, tracks, and wild activities! Note: No wild animals will be present at the library event. Keep Maryland's furbearers wild by appreciating nature from a safe distance! Teens and tweens are invited to come vibe with us for weekly-themed hangouts! Games, art, music and more in store.
No registration required! Stay a little or awhile. Snacks, activities, and good vibes provided. Tween session (Ages 8-12): 3-4 PM Teen session (Ages 13-18): 4-5 PM Week 1: Crafts/Art Week 2: Video Games Week 3: STEM Hangout Week 4: Board Games Registration Full We'll learn some basic coding concepts, build mazes, and code instructions for our Botley robots to find their way through. Please register each child attending. No coding experience required; this program is intended for beginners in the lower elementary grades. This session is now FULL- space is available in the 3:30pm session: https://stmalib.libnet.info/event/11629573 We'll learn some basic coding concepts, build mazes, and code instructions for our Botley robots to find their way through. Please register each child attending. No coding experience required; this program is intended for beginners in the lower elementary grades. Drop in for open-ended crafting fun. Try one of our
sample crafts, or create your own design! All materials
provided.
Process Art Preschool
Robots are A-MAZE-ing!: FULL- space in 11am session
Robots are A-MAZE-ing!: STEM Fun- 11am
Amazing Apples: Cider-Making Demo
What's the Deal with Voting Storytime
St. Mary's County Library does not support, endorse, or advocate the viewpoints or beliefs of any candidate, political party, non-partisan political organization, non-profit group or any other such individual or entity. Amazing Apples: Cider-Making Demo
A Kid's Intro to Artificial Intelligence
Purposeful Play: Serious Fun for Preschoolers
Tween/Teen Thursday
Fun with 3D Pens!
Caring for Your Period & Beyond: Menstrual Health Series
Books & Coloring!: No Storytime Today
Gaming In the Library: Nintendo Switch
Purposeful Play: Serious Fun for Preschoolers
Cover Art Redux
Tween/Teen Thursday
Autumn Artistry: Fall Window Decorating Fun!
Pom Pom Pets: No Fuss Fish
Purposeful Play: Serious Fun for Preschoolers
Call of the Wild: Furbearers Education Exhibit
Tween/Teen Thursday
Robots are A-MAZE-ing!-: FULL- space in 3:30 session
Robots are A-MAZE-ing!: STEM Fun- 3:30pm
Crafternoon at Lexington Park Library
Please note that library staff may be taking photos of any or all events to use for future library publications. Event participants’ photos may be used without notification or compensation. If you do not feel comfortable having your photo taken, please inform library staff when you arrive to an event.