Take Your Child to the Library Day 2025: A Nationwide Celebration of Literacy and Fun!
This annual event, founded by the Connecticut Library Consortium, saw 1,067 libraries in 48 states and 3 Canadian provinces welcome families for a day filled with activities, learning, and fun.
Libraries across the United States and Canada celebrated the joy of reading and the magic of libraries during Take Your Child to the Library Day (TYCLD) on Saturday, February 1, 2025.
Ellen Paul, Director of the Connecticut Library Consortium, reflected on the day’s success: “It was amazing to see hundreds of libraries come together on social media, showcasing the joy of families engaging with books, activities, and their local libraries. TYCLD continues to grow, inspiring a new generation of readers and lifelong learners.”
Libraries across the country hosted creative and engaging programs to celebrate the occasion. Here are some highlights:
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Tulare Public Library (Tulare, CA) gave children ages 3-13 special Take-To-Go bags filled with fun goodies like mini-notebooks, bookmarks, and crafts.
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Westwood Public Library (Westwood, NJ) held a family scavenger hunt featuring bunnies and sweet surprises for those who found them.
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Haworth Municipal Library (Haworth, NJ) invited families to enjoy hot chocolate and cookies while participating in a book character scavenger hunt and bookmark-making activity.
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Oak Park Public Library (Oak Park, IL) hosted an all-day celebration with STEM labs, raffles, storytimes, and an engaging exhibition on the importance of reading.
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Burlington Public Library (Burlington, CT) delighted young visitors with a special guest—a live llama! Families participated in crafts and enjoyed a unique photo session with their furry friend.
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Danbury Public Library (Danbury, CT) provided hands-on creativity with playdough stations, sand art, painting, and more to inspire budding young artists.
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Arkansas River Valley Regional Library System (Dardanelle, AR) encouraged families to visit any of their seven locations to create memories and explore their local library.
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Cleveland Bradley County Library (Cleveland, TN) allowed children to step into the role of 'Librarian for a Day,' with photo ops and welcome bags for new young patrons.
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Shelby County Public Library (Shelbyville, KY) featured an exciting morning of scavenger hunts, guessing games, and fun take-home gifts.
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John C. Hart Memorial Library (Shrub Oak, NY) celebrated with Legos, crafts, storytime, a scavenger hunt, and special meet-and-greets with Pete the Cat, Leonardo, and a therapy dog named Izod.
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Mineola Memorial Library (Mineola, NY) welcomed families with drop-in crafts, a guessing jar, and tasty treats.
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Davidson County Public Library System (Davidson County, NC) transformed its branches into themed adventure zones, featuring beloved characters like Hermione Granger, Pikachu, and Chase from Paw Patrol. Each location provided unique activities, including a Wizard of Oz-themed scavenger hunt, hat-making, and movie screenings.
John Chrastka, Executive Director of EveryLibrary, the co-sponsoring organization for TYCLD 2025, emphasized the event’s impact: “Parents are their child’s first and best teacher. What better way to teach the importance of reading than by taking them to the library?” As Take Your Child to the Library Day continues to grow each year, more families are discovering the invaluable resources and community connections that libraries offer. From interactive storytimes to hands-on crafts and live entertainment, this nationwide event reinforces the vital role libraries play in fostering a love for reading and lifelong learning.
For more information and photos, visit TakeYourChildToTheLibrary.org.