Kids

Three young girls reading from a book

Youth Services Department

The Youth Services Department’s goal is to meet the information needs of young people from infants to teens as well as their parents, caregivers, and teachers. In addition to an excellent book collection, the department offers an extensive selection of DVDs, books on CD, magazines, and online databases for children, teens, families, and teachers. The department also offers a full spectrum of fun and educational programs for all ages and interests.

Award Winners

Have you checked out this year’s award winners?  To see the current and past award winners, click here.

Library Lists

Need help finding something to read?  Take a look at NoveList, ask our staff  for recommendations, and check out our library lists for kids.

STEAM Team

STEAM Team is a program for children ages 8 to 12 who have an interest in science, technology, engineering, art, and math. Join us for our monthly program where STEAMers will have the chance to be active, build fun things, and maybe even make a mess. Learning is fun with the Library’s STEAM Team! Looking for STEAM projects that you can do at home with supplies you already have? Click here for a list of the projects. 

What's New for Kids

Kids' Blog Entries

Lunar New Year

Happy Lunar New Year! Beginning on February 10 and lasting for 15 days, many cultures will celebrate the lunar new year. From paper lanterns to special dishes, the year of the Dragon is sure to be great. Join us in celebrating this holiday by attending a very special performance from Fort Smith's...

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Upcoming Events for Kids

This event is in the "Babies & Toddlers" group.
Location: Miller
Room: Anita Paddock Community Room
Age Group: Babies & Toddlers
Program Type: Storytimes
Program Description:
A love of reading starts early.  Babies and their caregivers are invited to join the Miller Branch Library for this special storytime geared toward children 0 to 24 months old.  There will be rhymes, songs, simple stories, and lots of inter...

Disclaimer(s)

This program is designed for children and accompanying adults. Please plan to attend and be engaged with your child for this program. Drop offs will not be permitted.

This event is in the "School Age" group.
This event is in the "Teens" group.
This event is in the "Adults" group.
This event is in the "Everyone" group.

Spring Break Craft-a-thon

1:00pm - 5:00pm
Main
Location: Main
Room: Community Room
Age Group: School Age, Teens, Adults, Everyone
Program Type: Arts & Crafts
Program Description:
Get ready to spring into crafting! Families are invited to take part in this Spring Break Craftathon. Make some bad art, create a beautiful collage, and help us with some “crafty” spring cleaning! Drop in and see what we have for you to make. Supplie...
This event is in the "Everyone" group.

Game Day!

All Day
Miller
Location: Miller
Age Group: Everyone
Program Type: Games & Activities
Program Description:
Come hang out, relax, and play a board game or two at the Miller Branch!  All ages are welcome to play while the library is open: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ...
This event is in the "Preschool" group.
This event is in the "School Age" group.

Storytime - Dallas Branch 10AM

10:00am - 10:45am
Dallas
Location: Dallas
Age Group: Preschool, School Age
Program Type: Storytimes
Program Description:
Storytime at the Dallas Street Branch is for children and their adults.  Lasting about 30 minutes, children and their families will enjoy stories, books, music, snacks, and crafts.   Storytime will often have themes reflecting the seas...
This event is in the "Preschool" group.
This event is in the "School Age" group.

Storytime - Dallas Branch 11AM

11:00am - 11:45am
Dallas
Location: Dallas
Age Group: Preschool, School Age
Program Type: Storytimes
Program Description:
Storytime at the Dallas Street Branch is for children and their adults.  Lasting about 30 minutes, children and their families will enjoy stories, books, music, snacks, and crafts.   Storytime will often have themes reflecting the seas...
This event is in the "Everyone" group.
Location: Main
Room: Community Room
Age Group: Everyone
Program Type: Movies
Program Description:
Join us for a special Spring Break showing of the animated adventure comedy, Trolls: Band Together! Bring your own snack and covered drink, or visit Dewey’s Café before the movie. This movie is rated PG and runs 1 hr 31 m. ...
This event is in the "Babies & Toddlers" group.
This event is in the "Preschool" group.

Storytime - Main Library

10:00am - 11:00am
Main
Location: Main
Room: Storytime Nook
Age Group: Babies & Toddlers, Preschool
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Storytimes
Program Description:
Children and their caregivers are invited to the Main Library for storytime every Thursday at 10:00 AM.  Lasting about 35 minutes, storytimes feature stories, songs, puppetry, finger plays, manipulatives, and crafts. Not only is storytime f...

Disclaimer(s)

This program is designed for children and accompanying adults. Please plan to attend and be engaged with your child for this program. Drop offs will not be permitted.

This event is in the "Babies & Toddlers" group.
This event is in the "Preschool" group.
This event is in the "School Age" group.
Location: Miller
Age Group: Babies & Toddlers, Preschool, School Age
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Storytimes
Program Description:
Bonjour! The Fort Smith Library is partnering with Fort Kids for another fun pop-up activity!  Bethany Meadows will lead a mini-French language lesson and a storytime for kids, followed by a French-themed craft and snack.  This is one event...
This event is in the "Babies & Toddlers" group.
This event is in the "Preschool" group.
This event is in the "School Age" group.

Storytime - Miller Branch

10:00am - 11:00am
Miller
Location: Miller
Room: Anita Paddock Community Room
Age Group: Babies & Toddlers, Preschool, School Age
Program Type: Storytimes

Children and their caregivers are invited to the Miller Branch Library to enjoy stories, songs, rhymes, and crafts.  No registration is necessary for this fun and FREE program.  Storytime is held every Friday at 10:00 AM.

Disclaimer(s)

This program is designed for children and accompanying adults. Please plan to attend and be engaged with your child for this program. Drop offs will not be permitted.

Databases for Kids

ABC Mouse

ABCmouse.com offers the most comprehensive online curriculum for children ages 2-8+, including reading and language arts, math, beginning science, social studies, art, and music. 

When accessing ABCmouse from home via the library website, you will need to create an account.  Your account can be shared by up to three children in a household, each with their own avatar, profile, and progress-tracking on the ABCmouse Step-by-Step Learning Path. 

Visit Website (in-library use) Visit Website

CultureGrams

Primary sources, statistics, and cultural reports covering the countries of the world, states, and Canadian provinces.  Explore the United States and discover state flags, maps, sports teams, recipes, symbols, songs, and more. 

The Traveler Statewide Resource project is made possible by a grant from U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services to the Arkansas State Library under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act.”

Visit Website

Hoopla

Hoopla is a digital media service that allows you to borrow movies, music, audiobooks, ebooks, comics and TV shows to enjoy on your computer, tablet, or phone – and even your TV! With no waiting, titles can be streamed immediately, or downloaded to phones or tablets for offline enjoyment later. We have hundreds of thousands of titles to choose from, with more being added daily. Hoopla is like having your public library at your fingertips. Anytime. Anywhere.

Visit Website

LearningExpress

LearningExpress is an interactive online learning platform for job searching, workplace skills improvement, career certification and licensing exam preparation. It also covers college entrance and graduate school admissions exam preparation, GED exam preparation, and basic skills improvement for all ages. 

The Traveler Statewide Resource project is made possible by a grant from U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services to the Arkansas State Library under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act.”

Visit Website

Mango Languages

Learn more than 70 languages through real conversations, and also features ESL lessons. Great for kids.

The Traveler Statewide Resource project is made possible by a grant from U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services to the Arkansas State Library under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act.”

Visit Website

NoveList K-8

NoveList K-8 Plus is a trusted source of read-alike recommendations specifically for younger readers. It helps kids find books that are just right for their reading level and interests.

Visit Website

World Book Kids

Search thousands of articles, multimedia content, and a collection of biographies.

The Traveler Statewide Resource project is made possible by a grant from U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services to the Arkansas State Library under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act.”

Visit Website

World Book Spanish - Enciclopedia Estudiantil Hallazgos

Spanish language encyclopedia for Spanish speakers and Spanish language learners. Includes maps, images, and activities. 

The Traveler Statewide Resource project is made possible by a grant from U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services to the Arkansas State Library under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act.”

Visit Website

World Book Student

Find thousands of articles and multimedia aligned to curriculum. Contains numerous tools to engage users in 21st-century education and blended-learning practices.

The Traveler Statewide Resource project is made possible by a grant from U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services to the Arkansas State Library under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act.”

Visit Website