The Newburyport Public Library Children’s Room provides materials and programs for children and families from birth through sixth grade. We also provide assistance to teachers, caregivers, and others working with children. Services include regular programs for various ages, school vacation programs, and Summer Reading programs.
The Children’s Room contains picture books, board books, beginning readers, early chapter books, fiction books, non-fiction books, Playaway audio books, Read-Aloud books, and DVDs.
Kids Programs
The library offers several options for story times! Join us for lots of songs, finger plays, and stories. We currently offer the following story times: Toddler Story Time (ages 1-2), Library Babies (under 12 months), Big Kids Story Time (ages 3-6), and All Ages Story Time (ages 0-6). Siblings are welcome at all story times except for Library Babies, which is limited to non-walkers. Story time typically runs from September through April. We require registration, so visit our online event calendar to find a story time and sign up.
Registration is required. Visit our event calendar and click on the story time you wish to attend to register you and your party for that story time. Please select one story time per week to attend, so that we may accommodate as many people as possible.
Library Cards
Children who live in Newburyport or are residents of towns within the Merrimack Valley Library Consortium (MVLC) may obtain library cards once they have turned five years old. A parent/legal guardian must accompany their child and provide proof of residency. Young adults ages 13 or older may obtain a Library card without a guardian present, but they must show photo ID, or some other proof of residency.
All patron card activity is confidential under state law, even for very young children. Guardians who allow their child to open a Library card should be advised that we are unable to share any information about the child’s account or borrowing history without the child’s permission.
School Visits and Tours
What We Can Offer
The Library can host tours of the Children’s Room or Teen Space. Given adequate notice, we can provide research instruction and/or tips for using our online catalog. We offer read-alouds of 2-3 picture books upon request. We do not offer full story times for class visits.
How to arrange a visit
The library must consider staffing constraints, available space, and other programs before accommodating class visits. Requests must be made at least 48 hours in advance. To arrange a visit, contact Allison Privitera, Head of Children’s & Teen Services, at 978-465-4428 at least 48 hours before you hope to visit, even if you are not seeking a tour or other engagement from staff.
Please remind students of the following expectations prior to every visit:
- Teachers, please check in with library staff upon arrival. We will advise you about where students should leave their personal effects that day so that they don’t create tripping hazards. Students should be mindful at all times that there are patrons in the building trying to work, access materials, and enjoy a pleasant and calm environment.
- Books in the library are organized in a very specific way. Students should not attempt to reshelve a book if they don’t know exactly where it goes.
- Students should bring their physical library cards with them to the Library. We have the capability to look up accounts (provided it is the student’s own card and not that of a caregiver), but this can be very time-consuming.
Safe Child Policy
Children 8 years old and younger must be accompanied and supervised by a parent/caregiver/other responsible adult over the age of 14. At the discretion of a responsible adult, a child 9 years old or older may be left unattended for the period of time needed to select materials, complete a homework assignment, or attend a program. The child must know how to reach the responsible adult. See policy for details.
Tutoring
The library has study rooms that are ideal for tutoring sessions. Patrons may book these rooms online up to 48 hours in advance. If these spaces are unavailable, we invite tutors to make use of our coworking space on the third floor. We request that tutoring sessions not take place in the Children’s Room.
Teens
Visit the Tween & Teen Space
The Newburyport Public Library offers a variety of materials, study resources, fun programs, and space for tweens and teens. Access computers and wi-fi, borrow a charger, check out the latest top titles, get personalized recommendations and more in the Teen Space.
Library Cards
Library cards are free to Newburyport residents and residents of towns within the Merrimack Valley Library Consortium (MVLC) ages 5 and up. Young adults without a photo ID must show proof of residency to obtain a library card. Find additional library card information here.
Contact Us
School Visits and Tours
How to arrange a visit
The library must consider staffing constraints, available space, and other programs before accommodating class visits. Requests must be made at least 48 hours in advance. To arrange a visit, contact Allison Privitera, Head of Children’s & Teen Services, at 978-465-4428 at least 48 hours before you hope to visit, even if you are not seeking a tour or other engagement from staff.
Please remind students of the following expectations prior to every visit:
- Teachers, please check in with library staff upon arrival. We will advise you about where students should leave their personal effects that day so that they don’t create tripping hazards. Students should be mindful at all times that there are patrons in the building trying to work, access materials, and enjoy a pleasant and calm environment.
- Books in the library are organized in a very specific way. Students should not attempt to reshelve a book if they don’t know exactly where it goes.
- Students should bring their physical library cards with them to the Library. We have the capability to look up accounts (provided it is the student’s own card and not that of a caregiver), but this can be very time-consuming. The physical card eliminates that issue.
The Bookup Subscription Bag
The BookUp Subscription is your hookup for young adult books! Each bag will be filled with snacks, goodies, a craft, and books. Please click HERE to fill out the form so we can personalize your bag for you. By registering, you’re signing up for that month’s bag only. Any future bags you will need to reregister. If you have any questions or need to cancel your BookUp Subscription Bag, please contact the library.
The Chibi Manga Book Club
This book club is for tweens and teens in grades 4-8. Each month we’ll discuss the first volume of a manga series while we enjoy crafts, games, and snacks! Copies of each month’s manga will be located in the teen loft. Meetings will be held in person in our Program Room.
Newburyport Public Library 