Ongoing Programs for Children

  • Month Long Writing Challenges: Children are invited to write a story based on a prompt. Their submission will be entered into a drawing for a $15 Phoenix gift card and the opportunity to be published in the Essex Reporter, and may be included in an upcoming zine featuring kid and teen created art and stories. 
  • Wednesday After School Programs: Kids looking for something to do on early release days will find a rotating selection of offerings at the library, including movies, Tinker Time, Comics Club, and more.
  • Art Lab: Art Lab is about process not product, so have fun and explore a variety of art materials and prompts! Participants may submit their creations for possible inclusion in an upcoming zine featuring kid and teen created art and stories. Available while supplies last. Recommended for all ages.
  • Red Clover Group: Children from kindergarten to fourth grade are invited to participate in a book club devoted to Vermont’s picture book award, the Red Clover Book Award. The group meets on the third Tuesday of each month (October-March), 1:30-2:30pm. Each year’s list is selected by Vermont librarians and educators, it includes ten books. Participants must read all ten of the titles on the list to be eligible for voting, which will occur at the last book group meeting in March. Please register to participate in the Red Clover Book Group. 
  • Golden Dome Book Group: Children and teens from fourth through eighth grade are invited to participate in a book club devoted to the Golden Dome Book Award. The group meets on the third Tuesday of each month (October-March), 1:30-2:30pm. Each year’s list is selected by Vermont librarians and educators; it includes twenty-five books. Participants are encouraged to read five of the titles on the list to be eligible for voting, which will occur at the last meeting in March. Please register to participate in the Golden Dome Book Club.
  • Read to Sammy: Sammy loves belly rubs, carrots, and listening to kids read! His owner is Kim Hathaway, an educator at Summit St. School. They are a certified team with Therapy Dogs of Vermont. This program is offered on the second Monday of each month (October-March), 3:30-4:30pm. For all ages.
  • Lego Fun: Build creatively with Legos by yourself or with others. Your creations will be displayed in the library! 
  • Lego Robotics: Throughout the year we offer program series which invite children in grades 1-2, 2-4, or 3-5 to experiment with coding using Lego Spike Essential kits and Scratch. Each session builds on the last and space is limited so participants are encouraged to register for the entire series. For these programs, parents and caregivers are welcome to attend and encourage, but children are responsible for the hands on work. More details on offerings on our Events Calendar.
  • Switch: New comers and pros alike are invited to take turns playing collaborative and multi-player games on the library's SWITCH. This program is offered on the last Friday of each month, 4-5pm. Recommended for youth in grades 3-8. 
  • Wonder Kits: Kits are available in the coldest months; pick up a kit for children in grade 1-5 to make, experiment, and explore their curiosity on the first Monday of January-March. Available while supplies last.

Regularly scheduled programs start in October and run through mid-May; we pause our regularly scheduled programs to accommodate family vacations during school breaks. Summer programs start in June and run through July or early August. Check out our Events Calendar for an up-to-date listing of programs.

Learn more about our other Children's Services.

Contact us with questions about youth programs and services at (802) 878-6956 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..