The Oregon Public Library offers a variety of literacy, educational, and recreational programs and services to children of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. We also provide support to local educators and homeschooling families.
Storytimes
Storytimes are currently on break! Weekly storytimes will resume the week of June 23rd.
More on Weekly and Monthly Schedule
All storytimes are in-person and registration is NOT required. We have weekly daytime and monthly Saturday and evening options.
The Five Early Literacy Practices are Read, Sing, Talk, Write, and Play. Ms. Kelly and Ms. Wendy plan storytime activities that highlight them to build early literacy skills and a love of reading in young children.
Summer Fun
Block Party
Day & Time: Weekly on Wednesdays from 3:30-5:00pm, June 4 - July 30
Location: Children's Program Room
We bring out the Library LEGOs and Duplos! Kids can free build during the open session.
No registration.
Music of Wesley Waffles
Day & Time: Thursday, June 12, 2025, 10:00am - 10:45am
Location: Community Room
"The Wacky World of Wesley Waffles" offers an engaging kid's show like no other! With fun props, engaging music, and audience participation, people LOVE Wesley Waffles LIVE!
No registration. Family event for all ages.
Cool Treat Reading Challenge
Day & Time: Tuesday, June 17, 2025, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Location: Community Room
Read or be read to for 30 minutes and earn a cool treat!
Starting at 2 pm, readers and families can attend a storytime or find a place to read on their own or be read to either in or around the Library. At 2:45 pm, we will start serving the cool treat in the Community Room who participated in the challenge. Non-dairy options are available.
Preschool Open Play
Day & Time: Mondays. June 23, July 7, July 21, and August 4. 10:00am - 11:00am
Location: Children's Program Room
Get the wiggles out with even more play items like a tunnel and games!
No registration. For ages 0-5.
Magic of Matthew Teague
Day & Time: Thursday, June 26, 2025, 2:00pm - 2:45pm
Location: Community Room
Energetic show filled with laughter!! Matthew will create happy memories that your guests will keep for years! Full of audience participation
No registration. Family event for all ages.
Young Picasso
Day & Time: Mondays. June 30, July 14, and July 28, 10:00am - 11:00am
Location: The Creative Space
Nurture the young artist with simple art projects. Library provides all the supplies.
No registration. For ages 0-5.
Family Art
Day & Time: Tuesday, July 1, 15, & 29, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Location: The Creative Space
Explore a different art theme each session! Bring your imagination while the Library provides the supplies!
No registration. Geared to ages 5-11. Whole family is welcome to make art!
Circus Cameron: A One-Man Marvel
Day & Time: Thursday, July 10, 2025, 2:00pm - 2:45pm
Location: Prairie View Elementary School
Come laugh, cheer, and become a part of the action! Cameron's One-Man Circus Show is packed with family-friendly comedy. Watch as he balances atop wobbling props, performs incredible acrobatics, and juggles clubs as razor-sharp as his wit. This charming show will inspire all and leave you with a new best friend in the circus world.
No registration. Geared ages 4 and up. Family event so all ages welcome.
This event is Big Gym at Prairie View Elementary (Door #17. Park in the lot off 300 Soden Dr. or the bus lot off of Oak St.)
Learn About Reptiles
Day & Time: Saturday, July 12, 2025, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Location: Community Room
Learn about reptiles. Live animals will be present!
No registration. Family event for all ages.
Mini Art Show Reception
Day & Time: Thursday, July 17, 2025, 4:00pm - 7:00pm
Location: Community Room
Adults, teens, and kids are invited to participate in the Mini Art Show!
Starting June 2, pick up your Mini Art Kit (1 kit per person as long as supplies last) at the Youth Services or Adult Services Desks. The kit contains a mini canvas, paint, and brushes.
Paint your mini piece of art and then submit your work by July 2 to have it exhibited in the Library from July 14 until August 11!
Attend our community Mini Art Exhibition Reception on Thursday, July 17 from 4-7 pm. Take pictures next to your work and enjoy all the pieces in the exhibit. Light refreshment will be served.
Absolute Science
Day & Time: Thursday, July 24, 2025, 2:00pm - 2:45pm
Location: Prairie View Elementary School
This show will even make your hair stand up! You will experience items disappearing in clear liquids with our refraction oil and see the power of a Van De Graaff generator, but no show is complete without foam, LOTS of foam with our fantastic foam experiment where the children are the stars!
No registration. Family Fun event.
This event is Big Gym at Prairie View Elementary (Door #17. Park in the lot off 300 Soden Dr. or the bus lot off of Oak St.)
Family Camp Out
Day & Time: Thursday, July 31, 2025, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Location: Children's Area and First Floor
Camp OUT at the Library! Activities include fort building, campfire song-alongs and stories, scavenger hunts, snacks, and more!! Bring your own blankets, pillows, lanterns, flashlights, and small 1-2 person tents to build forts in the Library!
No registration. Family Fun Event.
The library will provide stories, snacks, and games along with bluegrass music of Northern Comfort.
Read to a Dog
Day & Time: More dates coming soon!
Location: Children's Program Room
Read with a trained therapy dog at the library!
Registration opens two weeks before event. To register: call the YS Desk at 608-909-2020.
Librarian's Choice
Did you know that you can ask librarians to pull materials?
The Librarians will select books, movies, magazines and more based on your answers to the survey. We pull materials for any age from babies to adults!
You can pick up your bag of books in the Library at the Check out Desk, or use Curbside Pickup by parking in front of the library and calling (608) 835-3656.
To make a request, complete the Librarian's Choice form and a librarian will get back to you with instructions for how to pick up the materials.
1000 Books Before Kindergarten
The most effective way to get your child ready to learn is to read to them. The 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program is designed to help parents and caregivers accomplish this goal.
The program is self-paced and you can collect your prizes at any time. Prizes include stickers, finger puppets and tub toys, and a free book!
You can track on paper or through our Beanstack app and website. You can count a book as many times as you read it!
For children 0-5.
Learn more about the 1000 Books early literacy program.
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library is BACK! Sign up for a free book for ages 0-5 to be sent to your home every month. This is free for families in Dane County.
Sign up online at https://www.madisonreadingproject.com/imaginationlibrary and you’ll get your first book within 60 days!
Thank you to Madison Reading Project for bringing this wonderful program to Dane County!