Children & Teens

The La Crosse Public Library Children and Families Department offers early literacy services, family enrichment activities, youth and teen collections, community outreach, tours, technology, and programs which are fun for all ages. Our expert staff can find a great book for any reader and are pleased to bring these services out into our community whenever we can.  For more information about our services or programs, contact us as 608-789-7100 or info@lacrosselibrary.org.

Services for Educators

Interested in a tour, storytime, or library books in your City of La Crosse classroom?  We have free library services designed especially for teachers. We love to collaborate with schools, daycares, and other educational programs to inspire La Crosse’s students!

Tours

Find out how the library works, get cards for your students and hear a story during a tour of your local library. 


Types of Activities:

  • 4K Class Visits: Librarians visit your classroom with stories, music, fingerplays and more.  We can also deliver books by request. 
  • Kindergarten Stars Tour: This program welcomes kindergarten classrooms for a storytime, tour of the Children’s Room and a behind the scenes sneak peek!  La Crosse School District visits usually happen every January and February.   
  • Second Grade Stars Tour: This special “big kid” tour includes the Children’s Room, an in-depth behind the scenes tour and a variety of booktalks sure to get your class talking about the best new children’s books for second graders. 

Books to Go 

Want a new set of books each month for students and families?  Let us bring our books to your classroom!  Books to Go check-out can be done in many ways -- a rotating set of library books can be brought to your classroom once each month; Librarians can bring books for kids to check out individually; books on a certain theme can be chosen ahead of time and held at your nearest library.


Other Special Events 

Are you planning a Family Fun Night, School Carnival, Literacy Night or other special event and want the library to participate?  We can provide informational booths, craft activities, and more!

For more information or service requests, email us at: outreach@lacrosselibrary.org.

Upcoming Events

This event is in the "Middle School" group
This event is in the "High School" group

First Friday: Ultimate Hide and Seek

4:30pm–6:00pm
Middle School, High School
Main Library
Library Branch: Main Library
Room: Auditorium - Main Library
Age Group: Middle School, High School
Program Type: Games & Play
Event Details:

Get ready for the ultimate after-hours adventure! 🌙 Join us at the library for Ultimate Hide and Seek, where the lights go low, the stakes get high, and the whole library becomes your playground.

This event is in the "Preschool" group
This event is in the "Elementary" group
This event is in the "Family" group

1st Saturday Storytime

11:30am–12:00pm
Preschool, Elementary, Family
Main Library
Library Branch: Main Library
Room: Auditorium - Main Library
Age Group: Preschool, Elementary, Family
Program Type: Storytime
Event Details:

Designed for all ages, this 30-minute storytime features stories, rhymes, singing, games and dancing. Stick around after storytime for fun activities and crafts!

This event is in the "Preschool" group
This event is in the "Elementary" group
This event is in the "Middle School" group
This event is in the "High School" group
This event is in the "Adult" group
This event is in the "Family" group

FRIENDS MONDAY BOOK SALE

9:00am–12:00pm
Preschool, Elementary, Middle School, High School, Adult, Family
Main Library
Library Branch: Main Library
Age Group: Preschool, Elementary, Middle School, High School, Adult, Family
Program Type: Book Sale
Event Details:

Come join us Mondays 9:00am-12:00pm for the Friends of the La Crosse Public Library book sale in the lower level book room. 

This event is in the "Elementary" group

Make & Play Mondays: STEM Club

3:30pm–4:30pm
Elementary
Main Library
Library Branch: Main Library
Room: Auditorium - Main Library
Age Group: Elementary
Program Type: Games & Play, Arts & Crafts, Educational
Event Details:

Explore the world of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) with interactive activities and thrilling challenges!  Second Monday of the month: September 15, October 13, November 10, December 8, 2025.

This event is in the "Preschool" group

North Side Play Shoppe

10:00am–11:30am
Preschool
North Library
Library Branch: North Library
Age Group: Preschool
Program Type: Educational
Event Details:

Play Shoppe is a shared time for parents and their children! Join the Parenting Place and enjoy open-ended playtime, a simple art activity, circle and storytime, and a snack. Come and share the power of playing with your child!

This event is in the "Preschool" group
This event is in the "Family" group

Storytime

9:30am–10:00am
Preschool, Family
Main Library
Library Branch: Main Library
Room: Auditorium - Main Library
Age Group: Preschool, Family
Program Type: Storytime
Event Details:

Designed for ages 10-24 months, this 30 minute storytime features stories, singing, exploring and play. Prepare for lots of movement and laughter!

This event is in the "Preschool" group
This event is in the "Family" group

Storytime

10:30am–11:00am
Preschool, Family
Main Library
Library Branch: Main Library
Room: Auditorium - Main Library
Age Group: Preschool, Family
Program Type: Storytime
Event Details:

Designed for ages 10-24 months, this 30 minute storytime features stories, singing, exploring and play. Prepare for lots of movement and laughter!

This event is in the "Preschool" group

Baby Storytime

12:00pm–12:30pm
Preschool
Main Library
Library Branch: Main Library
Room: Auditorium - Main Library
Age Group: Preschool
Program Type: Storytime
Event Details:

Designed for ages birth-9 months, this 20 minute storytime features simple stories, songs, rhymes, and a lot of interactive fun! A great opportunity to meet other caregivers in the area with playtime happening after storytime.

This event is in the "Elementary" group

Northside After School Club

3:00pm–4:00pm
Elementary
North Library
Library Branch: North Library
Age Group: Elementary
Program Type: Games & Play, Arts & Crafts
Event Details:

Join us after-school as we play, create, and have fun at the North Library.

Best for grades 1-6. Only on days when Northside Elementary School is in session.