Children's Services

Upcoming Events

View events for all ages on our Events Calendar.

Click here to view a printable calendar featuring events for kids.

What is it?

The 1000 Books before Kindergarten program is a nationwide initiative that encourages parents and caregivers to regularly read aloud to their children by challenging them to read 1,000 books before entering kindergarten.

Why should my child participate?

By reading just one book a night, participants can reach the 1,000-book goal in three years and build essential early literacy skills that will prepare them for reading and entering kindergarten. In addition, reading aloud to a child jumpstarts their imagination and encourages a special bonding experience between a child and caregiver.

Participants will earn sticker incentives as they progress through the program as well as a book browser bag once they reach the 100-book milestone and a free book upon completion of the program.

How do I keep track of my child’s progress?

Visit us at Kennedy & Westergard Library to pick up a paper log. You can also print reading logs from home.

Books

Book Recommendations

Check out:

Book Lists– Suggestions from the Children’s Librarians.
Novelist K-8 – Helps you find read-alikes and book suggestions!

Ebooks and Digital Content

Libby/eLibrary NJ:

Download the Libby app on your smartphone, tablet, or device
Log-in by selecting Library “Libraries of Middlesex Automation Consortium” and then entering your Piscataway library card number and pin number. (If you don’t know your pin number you can call 732-463-1633 or 732-752-1166 and we can look it up.)
Click on “Library” to browse or search for the title you are looking for
Select “Borrow” or “Place Hold”. Borrow means that it’s available and you can download it right now! Place holds means that it’s not available, and you can sign-up to be notified when it is available for download.

Hoopla:

Download the Hoopla app on your smartphone, tablet, or device
Select “Sign Up”
Type the information asked for in the boxes
Choose “Piscataway Public Library”
Type in your Library Card number
Browse or search for books, movies, music, comics, and TV shows!

Note: you may borrow up to 5 titles from Hoopla each month

For more ways to access eBooks and digital content, visit: piscatawaylibrary.org/econtent

Homework Help

View all Piscataway Library Research Databases for articles, online encyclopedias, language learning, and more! Some examples include:

Middle Search Plus: Provides full text for more than 140 popular, middle school magazines. All full text articles included in the database are assigned a reading level indicator (Lexiles). Full text is also available for thousands of biographies and historical essays. Middle Search Plus also contains 84,774 biographies, 105,786 primary source documents, and a School Image Collection of photos, maps and flags.
Points of View Reference Center: Containing resources that present multiple sides of an issue, this database provides rich content that can help students assess and develop persuasive arguments and essays, better understand controversial issues and develop analytical thinking skills.
Primary Search: Primary Search provides full text for more than 70 popular, magazines for elementary school research. All full text articles included in the database are assigned a reading level indicator (Lexiles), and full text information dates as far back as 1990.
Rosetta Stone: Rosetta Stone’s language division uses cloud-based solutions to help all types of learners read, write, and speak more than 30 languages. Strengthen skills in writing, listening, and speaking. Languages include American English. For adult and child learners!
Tutor.com: Offers online tutoring, homework help, and test preparation. Live tutoring support is available daily from 3pm to 10pm.

For Educators

School Visits

The Library offers many services to Piscataway K-12 schools, pre-schools and daycare centers. We can supplement your classroom instruction and host special programs to engage your students. You can schedule a class visit for:
– Library tours
– Story times
– Research help
– Presentations on useful databases and homework help resources
– And special programs that supplement your classroom instruction

Contact Us

For more information about visiting the library or regarding any of the services listed above, please contact us at 732-463-1633 ext. 7 or kids@piscatawaylibrary.org.

Suggest Materials

Meet Us

Karin:

As a Children’s Librarian I enjoy interactive picture books and making story time a blast. My favorite crafts are STEAM activities such as making slime, catapults, and salt painting. I love graphic novels and high fantasy books that make me feel like I’m being transported to another place and time. I hope to see you at the library!

Peggy:

In my free time, I teach students information literacy and research skills at an academic library, but my true passion is working as a children’s librarian, where I can create interactive and engaging programs that nurture confidence, stimulate creativity, and inspire curiosity about learning through story time, art and tech programs. I love programs that celebrate cultural diversity and I enjoy helping kids find their next favorite book. Come visit us and say hello!

Christine:

I am a part-time children’s librarian at Piscataway Public Library. I am now the Head of Youth Services at another public library, and prior to that was the Library Media Specialist and STEM Club Advisor at a middle school. I enjoy sharing my knowledge of science, technology, finance and engineering with the next generation of engineers and entrepreneurs.

Dana:

A few things I love most about working in Youth Services are meeting all of the brilliant and creative kids in our community, as well as creating exciting crafts for them to enjoy. When I’m not at work, I spend my time drinking tea, having fun with my nieces and nephews, feeding the backyard birds (and squirrels), and treasure hunting at thrift stores. My favorite genres of adult literature are 19th and 20th century French prose and poetry. I absolutely adore children’s literature with anthropomorphic creatures like those in books by Mike Lowery, Elise Gravel, A.A. Milne and Beatrix Potter! Happy reading!

Michael:

I have worked as both a public librarian and elementary school librarian. Some of my favorite children’s books include Katherine Applegate’s Crenshaw, Lauren Tarshis’s I Survived series, Neil Gaiman’s Odd & the Frost Giants and The Graveyard Book, and Jeff Smith’s Bone series. Favorite adult genres include horror, obscure world history and anything philosophical or allegorical.

Sne:

I truly enjoy working as a Part Time Children’s Librarian. Being a former elementary school teacher, I love being able to use my skills and experience to plan all different types of children’s programs. I also love to read. The types of books that I love to read include mysteries and historical fiction. My favorite children’s books include The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats and the Harry Potter series. Please make sure to stop by and say hello!

Erica, Supervisor of Youth Services:

My favorite part of being a Youth Services Librarian is planning fun programs! I also enjoy reading and talking about all types of books, including nonfiction, mysteries, graphic novels, and realistic fiction. Some of my favorite books are A Tale Of Magic, Free Lunch, and New Kid. Stop by and say hello!