Welcome to Youth Programs!

Now that your child is registered using his/her very own RHPL library card,
please read the guidelines and information below.

Guidelines and Tips for Storytime

Learn More About Our Storytime Schedule

Guidelines and Tips for Other Youth Programs

Odds and Ends: Information for Everyone 

Guidelines and Tips for Storytime

Arrive Early
Allow you and your little one time to hang up your coats and get ready for storytime. Storytimes start promptly at their scheduled time. Once the door is closed, do not enter the storyroom.

Visit the Bathroom
Leave enough time for a trip to the bathroom before storytime begins. Preschoolers who need to use the restroom during their storytime will not be allowed to re-enter.

Prepare for Preschool Time
Preschool Time is an independent storytime for children ages 3 to 5 years old. Prepare your child (and yourself) to attend without an adult. If your child isn't ready to attend alone, please consider Family Fun.

Behavior Expectations
Young children like to explore but they should not prevent other kids from enjoying their storytime. Negative behavior will not be tolerated so discuss this beforehand, it would be disappointing if your child needs to leave storytime.

Courtesy to All
Cell phones should be silenced at the beginning of storytime. Nothing ruins a good story like a ringtone, no matter how catchy the tune. Also be sure your child leaves any of his/her stuffed friends and toys outside the story room. Please do not bring food or snacks to storytime.

Participation
Your child learns by watching...you. It helps everyone (especially your child) if you participate rather than visiting with the parent next to you.

Storytime at Home
We emphasize literacy in all of our programs, often through playful activities. Children learn through play, so think of this as your 30 minutes a week to pick up fun new activities to try together at home.

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Guidelines and Tips for Other Youth Programs

Registration & Confirmation
If a program requires registration, each child must have (and be registered with) his own card. Age guidelines must be adhered to, programs are planned with specific ages in mind.

Registration is available online; if you're unfamiliar with our registration system please visit the Youth Room on or before registration day. We may be unable to assist you on the phone on registration day because we are helping patrons visiting the library.

Print or record your confirmation number. Think of it as your ticket, and bring it with you to the program.

 On the Program Day

Arrive a little early to use the restroom and get ready to participate. Have your confirmation number handy! Your "confirmed" spot will be held only until the program begins. Please be aware that your spot (and program materials) may be given away if you are not on time. Once the program door is closed, please do not enter.

During independent programs for older children, parents are to stay in Youth Services. We need to be able to find you quickly if there is a problem or question.

 During the Program

Participate along with your child, they're learning by watching you! That means silencing your phone and taking a break from texting. (And don't be afraid to look ridiculous, your child will love it!) If you need to step out of the program to use the bathroom or to re-group, please re-enter the program quietly when there's a break in the action. Sometimes it just isn't working for a child, don't feel bad if you need to leave and try again the next time.

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Odds and Ends: Information for Everyone        

Illness and Inclement Weather
If your child is not feeling well please keep them home as to not share the germs. Call the youth desk, 248-650-7140, to let us know you will not be attending. We will look forward to seeing you when he or she is feeling better.

If the Rochester Community Schools are closed due to inclement weather or hazardous road conditions, the library's programs are also cancelled.

Registration Requirements
To register for youth programs, children must reside in Rochester, Rochester Hills or Oakland Township and be registered with their very own library card number. (If your child is attending school in our service area, they are elligible for a student card.  Visit the information desk to learn about student cards.)  To sign up your child for a library card, click here.

Mother Goose Tuesday - 1:00 pm	Toddle Time Wednesday - 10:45 am
Terrific Twos Wednesday - 10:00 am	Preschool Time Monday - 9:30 am Thursday - 9:30 am
Family Fun Monday - 10:15 am Tuesday - 10:00 am Tuesday - 10:45 am Thursday - 10:15 am	Click here for additional information about each storytime

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