Read, Explore, Learn, Grow & Play at Lexington County Public Library
Lexington County Public Library has a strong tradition of serving children and families with great collections, programs and services designed to build a love of reading and discovery. We also uphold the value of supporting families, caregivers and educators. Visit any of our 10 branches to find dedicated areas for children to read and explore. Designed to support literacy and learning — our programs provide rich experiences that provide opportunities to build a love of books and community. For children, Lexington County Public Library provides:
Interactive, early literacy supporting storytimes
Literature, science and arts-based programs
Engaging books and media for children at every reading level
Reading recommendations
Summer Reading programs to support learning and prevent summer slide
Tours, orientations and training programs for elementary school students
Stomp, stomp, roar. It’s a dinosaur. Join us as we journey back to prehistoric times to celebrate dinos — big and small. Get ready to read, sing and dance. Storytime
Event Details
Stomp, stomp, roar. It’s a dinosaur. Join us as we journey back to prehistoric times to celebrate dinos — big and small. Get ready to read, sing and dance. Storytime is a fun way to introduce your little ones to literature — it incorporates books, storytelling, poetry and songs.
Join our zany scientists as they discover the noble gases, specifically neon. Discover simple hands-on experiments that you can do to amaze your friends and family. Learn how to create
Event Details
Join our zany scientists as they discover the noble gases, specifically neon. Discover simple hands-on experiments that you can do to amaze your friends and family. Learn how to create a DIY neon holiday card. We’ll throw in some “noble” poems and puns and you don’t want to miss our explosive ending.
Activities are geared toward elementary children. At the end of the program there will be a link shared so that you can recreate this noble, but gaseous, experience with others.
Storytime is going to the dogs. We’ll have a howling good time reading books about our furry four-legged friends. This program will be presented online. Storytime is a fun way
Event Details
Storytime is going to the dogs. We’ll have a howling good time reading books about our furry four-legged friends. This program will be presented online. Storytime is a fun way to introduce your little ones to literature — it incorporates books, storytelling, poetry and songs.
Learn how to make super tasty, quick and easy snacks with ingredients you probably already have on hand. If you want to cook with us in real-time, you’ll need a
Event Details
Learn how to make super tasty, quick and easy snacks with ingredients you probably already have on hand. If you want to cook with us in real-time, you’ll need a few supplies: banana, apple and yogurt — other pantry items are optional. You can also just watch, chat, and get ideas for future baking endeavors. Activities are geared toward students in grades 6–12.
You are invited to meet our zany scientists as they share with you and your child a flurry of snowy activities. They’ll share with your preschooler some chilly experiments. Also
Event Details
You are invited to meet our zany scientists as they share with you and your child a flurry of snowy activities. They’ll share with your preschooler some chilly experiments. Also with “snow problems” they will share some books and sing some blustery songs. You can follow along or recreate the icy fun with your child later. Activities are geared toward preschoolers and caregivers. At the end of the program will be a link with instructions needed to recreate the fun.
Join the block party — use your imagination, curiosity and problem-solving skills to build different Lego creations. We’ll read a story and then put our creativity to the test. Activities
Event Details
Join the block party — use your imagination, curiosity and problem-solving skills to build different Lego creations. We’ll read a story and then put our creativity to the test. Activities are geared toward elementary children. The Lego Club enhances learning with hands-on activities that promote reading and critical-thinking at all ages.
We’re going to the zoo, and you’re invited, too. Join us for an animal adventure with books, songs and rhymes galore. Storytime is a fun way to introduce your little
Event Details
We’re going to the zoo, and you’re invited, too. Join us for an animal adventure with books, songs and rhymes galore. Storytime is a fun way to introduce your little ones to literature — it incorporates books, storytelling, poetry and songs.
Sculpt nifty characters and animals with chenille stems. Take & Make Kits will be available at Cayce-West Columbia Branch starting December 10. Activities are geared toward students in grades 4–7.
Event Details
Sculpt nifty characters and animals with chenille stems. Take & Make Kits will be available at Cayce-West Columbia Branch starting December 10. Activities are geared toward students in grades 4–7.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year … cookie season. The icing on top of today’s storytime will be cookie-themed books, songs and tasty rhymes. Storytime is a fun
Event Details
It’s the most wonderful time of the year … cookie season. The icing on top of today’s storytime will be cookie-themed books, songs and tasty rhymes. Storytime is a fun way to introduce your little ones to literature — it incorporates books, storytelling, poetry and songs.
We’re celebrating the beginning of winter. Let it snow — we’ll have so much fun. We’ll read a story about snowflakes before showing you how to make your own. Supplies
Event Details
We’re celebrating the beginning of winter. Let it snow — we’ll have so much fun. We’ll read a story about snowflakes before showing you how to make your own. Supplies you’ll need: coffee filters or regular paper; scissors; (optional: washable markers; water in a spray bottle)
Brrrr … the weather outside may be frightful but we’ll have snow much fun together. Storytime is a fun way to introduce your little ones to literature — it incorporates
Event Details
Brrrr … the weather outside may be frightful but we’ll have snow much fun together. Storytime is a fun way to introduce your little ones to literature — it incorporates books, storytelling, poetry and songs.
You’re invited to celebrate the Not Quite New Year’s with Ms. Cirrus. Learn how to make a munchy marshmallow countdown snack, nimble noise makers and fascinating faux fireworks. Activities are geared
Event Details
You’re invited to celebrate the Not Quite New Year’s with Ms. Cirrus. Learn how to make a munchy marshmallow countdown snack, nimble noise makers and fascinating faux fireworks. Activities are geared toward preschoolers and their caregivers. At the end of the program will be a link with instructions needed to recreate the fun.
Help us ring in the new year without staying up all night. Join us for a celebration as we explore New Year’s Eve traditions from around the world. All ages
Event Details
Help us ring in the new year without staying up all night. Join us for a celebration as we explore New Year’s Eve traditions from around the world. All ages are welcome.
Books, ebooks, audiobooks, movies and television shows are all items accessible through the library — but what about music? That’s where Hoopla comes in. Hoopla allows you to check out music from a wide variety of artists and in a multitude of languages, as well as ebooks, audiobooks, movies and tv shows.
Fairy tales are an important genre in children’s literature and have been passed down from generation to generation. Usually ending “happily ever after,” fairy tales make for a perfect family read aloud. These favorites for the gentler listeners’ ears will be a good place to start.
Oh, hear the cheerful cries of the left-handed population. August 13 is officially recognized as International Left-Handers Day, and I find it most important to honor these everyday troopers for making it in a right-handed world. Why, you ask?
Everything about 2020 has been different, so the back-to-school season is no exception. This year, first-day-of-school jitters are mixed in with uncertainty, all while the coronavirus pandemic wreaks havoc on our lives. Hand sanitizer and laptops have replaced backpacks and lunch boxes as must-have items for returning students — where the one uniform requirement nationwide is a mask.
If you’re reading this, I’m sure these thoughts are running through your mind …
What will this school year look like?
How do I prepare my child for virtual school, in-person and virtual school or just in-person school?
If we do virtual school, am I supposed to teach my child, too?
Trust me, you’re not the only one who’s having to adapt. Our library staff are here for you and we’ll continue to support you during these unprecedented times.
Let’s jump right into it. The most important part about getting ready for school — even during a pandemic — is preparation. How can I do this, you ask?
Communication
Have a talk with your child about how this is new for both of you, just like every new school year.
Ask questions about how your child is feeling and what you can do to support them and vice-versa.
Communicate that you’ll navigate this school year as a team just like you always do.
Establish Expectations
Discuss with your child what you expect from them, whether it’s submitting assignments on time, being on time for virtual class, making good grades —anything and everything you can think of.
Let your child verbalize what they expect from you. Remember this is a two-way street.
Plan
Sit down with your child and make a schedule for what will go on during the school day, just like they have at school. For example, 8:30 AM virtual math, 9:15 AM break time, 11 AM lunch, etc.
It’ll take time for your child to get adjusted to this schedule, just like it does during regular school, but after a couple of weeks hold your child accountable to sticking to the routine.
Classroom Rules
Teachers and their students typically establish classroom rules together, and they’re held accountable by their teacher and you, as a parent.
Make sure you hold your child accountable during virtual school because the teacher can’t see everything that’s going on.
If needed, make rules alongside your child and enforce them all day, every day. If your child doesn’t submit an assignment, don’t ignore this. Sit down and have a conversation with them, so this doesn’t happen again. If something like this is ignored, they may just stop doing their work.
Support Your Child’s Teacher
Please be patient with teachers, they’re going through the same thing as you.
Remember that virtual school isn’t homeschool, let teachers be teachers and educate your child.
It’s okay for you to help your child, but let your child get answers wrong. If you correct your child’s work, they may never learn.
Stick to your role as a caregiver. Continue to communicate with your child’s teacher, ask questions, anything that you would normally do, do it.
Familiarize yourself with your child’s classes and grading system.
Have Daily or Weekly Family Meetings
Talk about how school is going, what is or isn’t working.
Listen to everyone and uplift each other.
Anything is open for discussion.
The library has valuable tools and resources in different formats to support you and your child. Check out our Online Resources where you can browse by topic or try out our virtual Ask a Librarian chat service. As always, you can contact your local branch for help. We’ll always be here for you — happy to help.
For supporting children’s continuous learning at home and for back-to-school plans, we’ve got you covered with virtual learning materials. Explore any interest, develop new skills, connect with others in the community.
