Studies show that babies and toddlers are already building essential brain connections that, if not stimulated, will atrophy and fail. From the very beginning, young children need an abundance of interactive activity with other people (talking, singing, reading, playing) to achieve their fullest potential in life.

The Children’s Department provides a full selection of materials, services, and programs to help families give their youngest members, from birth through sixth grade, a great start toward achieving their dreams. We also provide a warm and welcoming space for parents and children to play, read, visit with other families and browse our collection.

The Children’s Services Department:

Helps the Library’s youngest patrons borrow materials. This includes issuing those all-important first library cards, helping patrons resolve problems with their accounts, and placing holds and renewals. And we are always happy to check out materials for you or to help you use our self-check out station.

Selects the Library’s children’s materials. These include a wide variety of materials for children from babies through sixth graders and their families: picture books, story books, early readers, and chapter books, including the best in fiction and nonfiction on a world of fascinating subjects. The Children’s Room also houses our Family Place collection of parenting materials.

Manages the Library’s children’s computers. The Children’s Room has six children’s computers with links to pre-selected websites for children on a variety of subjects ranging from Math & Science, to Books & Reading, to Fun & Games. Sites are selected by department staff based upon quality, interest level, and age-appropriateness.

Offers programs and activities for children and their families. Regularly scheduled programs include SPROUTS, Preschool Stories, Saturday Stories, Sweet Peas (for 2 year olds), and our annual Kids’ Summer Reading Program, plus special author visits, music programs, art workshops, natural science programs, and puppet shows. APL is also a Family Place Library offering Family Place Workshops for parents and children. For upcoming programs, check our monthly events calendar.

Sponsors our community BookReach program. This partnership of the Auburn and Lewiston Public Libraries organizes volunteer readers to bring story times and books to children in licensed family childcare homes. (More)

Hosts school field trips. We also work closely with the Auburn School Department to provide all 2nd and 6th graders in Auburn elementary schools a field trip to the library.

Sponsored by the Auburn-Lewiston Kiwanis Club, Kiwanis Family Museum Passes provide free or reduced admission for children and their families to these popular area museums and parks.

Children's Discovery Museum (Augusta, 50% off admission)

Southworth Planetarium (Portland, Free)

Maine Wildlife Park (formerly Gray Animal Farm) (Gray, $2.50 per person)

Children's Museum of Maine (Portland, 50% off admission)

Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens (Boothbay, Free, 2 passes per day)

Maine State Museum (Augusta, Free)

Auburn Public Library may issue only one pass per day per museum, so visit or call the Children's Room at 333-6640 ext. 3 for details and to reserve a pass.

Sponsored by the Auburn-Lewiston Kiwanis Club.