Summer Reading Registration Coming Soon!

Calling learners of ALL AGES to join us in the Community Summer Learning Challenge.  Read and attend library programs to earn prizes all summer long.  Registration starts June 11!

Click HERE to learn more!

Featured Children's Events

Click HERE to see ALL upcoming Young Minds programming!

Wonderful Books and Where to Find Them

Saturday, June 4, 11 am-12 pm | Ives

The New Haven Free Public Library, in partnership with the Yale Affinity Groups, is excited to bring you this book club for families focusing on topics of social importance! This month we focus on Pride Month by reading Llama Glamarama by Simon James Green. Join us in the Children's Room or online!

Join Facebook Live

The Dixwell Neighborhood Festival Celebrates the Stetson Branch

Saturday, June 4, 2-6 pm | Stetson

Live music, family activities, local authors, local vendors and artists, information tables, Beardsley Zoo, a fashion show and much more. Free and open to all!

This festival in celebration of the new Stetson Branch is co-sponsored by the New Haven Free Public Library, The International Festival of Arts and Ideas and the Office of Art, Culture and Tourism.

Learn More

Wire Sculptures for Kids

Saturday, June 4, 2-4 pm | Wilson

Kids between the ages of 6 and 11 are invited to learn the art of wire sculpture making with artist, Laura McGowan! Supplies will be provided. This event is made possible with the support of the City of New Haven.

Ladybug Release Party and Summer Learning Kickoff!

Monday, June 6, 5:30-7 pm | Mitchell

Release ladybugs into Mitchell’s garden, play outdoor games, eat a popsicle, make some ladybug crafts, and have lots of fun!  This year there will also be a special presentation from “The Bee Lady” Catherine Wolko, featuring live bees! Co-sponsored by Blockwatch #303.

Artsy Afternoons

Wednesday, June 8, 4-5 pm | Ives

Join us for a fun hour of creating and unleash your creative powers!  Kids ages 3-10 and a caregiver are welcome to join us! We advise dressing for mess!

Music Haven presents the Haven String Quartet

Thursday, June 9, 4-5 pm | Stetson

Enjoy an afternoon of music with your family brought to you by Music Haven's quartet-in-residence, the Haven String Quartet.

Reading with Winslow

Tuesday, June 14, 4:30-5:30 pm | Mitchell

Come read with Winslow the therapy dog! Children can bring a book they love and practice their reading skills by reading aloud to Winslow. Each child will need to register for a 15-minute slot. Call to register: 203-946-8117. Open to children 6 and up.

Sketchbook Adventures! Crazy Cartoons

Thursday, June 16, 4-5 pm | Mitchell

Bring your sketchbook (or use one of ours) and let's draw together! Learn basic cartooning techniques, and play some fun drawing games. Open to kids and teens!

Juneteenth Celebration

Friday, June 17, 4-7 pm | Stetson

Monday, June 20, 2-5 pm | Stetson

Join the Official Juneteenth Coalition of Greater New Haven for a weekend celebration of Juneteenth. The celebration opens Friday at Stetson, continues with the International Festival of Arts and Ideas on the New Haven Green on Saturday and Sunday, and closes on Monday at Stetson.

STEAM Club: Light Up Cards!

Wednesday, June 22, 4-4:30 pm | Ives

Use LED lights to light up your own greeting card creation.

Register

Afternoon Family Movie - Sing 2

Thursday, June 30, 3:30-5:30 pm | Mitchell

Enjoy a family-friendly movie at the library!

Wacky Wednesday Fun!

Wednesdays, 4-5 pm | Mitchell

Ages 5 and up and their caregivers.

June 1: Fancy Nancy Storytime

Read some Fancy Nancy books and make a fun fancy craft!

June 15: Father's Day Crafts

Get ready for Father's Day with a fun story time and craft!

June 22: Finger Knitting

Learn finger knitting and make a fun bracelet!

LEGO Clubs

Mondays, 4-5 pm | Stetson - Ages 10-13

Wednesdays, 3-5pm | Wilson - Ages 5-12

Wednesday, June 8 and June 29, 4-5 pm | Mitchell - Ages 5 and up

Music Room Open Hours

Wednesdays, 5-6 pm | Wilson

Experiment with keyboard, guitar, ukulele, mandolin or accordion!. Get pointers, sheet music or a quick tutorial.

Youth Chess

Thursdays, 4-5 pm | Ives

Learn basic rules and strategy, play games, and discuss chess in a friendly setting. Join us in the Children's Room. Recommended for ages 7 and up.

Click HERE to see all upcoming Young Minds programming!

Featured Teen Programs

Pride Month Trivia

Wednesday, June 1, 4-5 pm | Ives

Kick-off Pride Month with a Jeopardy!-style trivia game. Join us in the Teen Center! Open to grades 7-12.

Teen Tech Drop-In

Wednesdays, 4-6 pm | Stetson

Check out our makerspace, tech toys, and gaming room. We have robots, 3D pens, button makers, games, snap circuits, Makey Makey, Dropmix, and more! Come on out to build, make, craft, and play!

STEM Sampler

Thursday, June 2, June 16 & June 30, 3-4:30 pm | Fair Haven

Join us for an easy-to-follow STEM activity. You will learn a little science, have a lot of fun, and take home the results. All supplies provided. Open to teens and tweens.

Teen Exquisite Corpse 

Friday, June 3, 3-5 pm | Ives

An "exquisite corpse" is a beloved creative exercise in which a different person writes every line of a poem, a story, or draws a section of a visual piece. Come to the teen center with your unique addition to our project and see the strange, one-of-a-kind pieces we come up with!

Virtual Dungeons & Dragons

Join fellow teens for a night of virtual adventure, fantasy, and fun playing the famous RPG! Zoom is where our quest will take place! Open to grades 7-12.

Monday, June 6, 4-5 pm

Join via Zoom

Monday, June 20, 4-5 pm

Join via Zoom

After School Arts

Tuesdays, 3-4:30 pm | Fair Haven

Join us each week for a surprise arts and crafts project. All supplies will be provided. Open to teens and tweens.

Inklings Writer's Workshop

Tuesday, June 7, 6:30-7:45 pm | Wilson

Join artist, musician, and writer Briana Williams and Arts Paper editor Lucy Gellman in person for the Inklings Writer's Workshop. Teens and adults are welcome! This event is made possible with the support of the City of New Haven.

Board Game Buffet

Thursday, June 9 & June 23, 3-5 pm | Fair Haven

Stop by to play a wide variety of new and classic tabletop games. Feel free to bring your own game. Open to teens and tweens.

End of School Year Teen Celebration

Thursday, June 9, 6-8 pm | Ives

Unwind from finals and the school year in the NHFPL café!  There will be food, games and fun!  Open to grades 7-12. 

Ives Squared Teen Night

Wednesday, June 15, 6-8 pm | Ives

Join us on the third Wednesday of each month for Ives Squared Teen Night! Join us in our makerspace to learn about the machines, work on crafts and building projects, or learn about becoming an entrepreneur.

Comic Book Coasters

Friday, June 24, 3-4 pm | Ives

POW! BOOM! ZAP! Let everyone know about your love for comic books by making a free coaster designed with the panels from one to set all of your beverages on!  Open to grades 7-12.

Library Updates

Library Holiday Closures:

The New Haven Free Public Library will close at all locations for Juneteenth on Monday, June 20.

Ives Main Library has returned to night hours on Mondays and Tuesdays - visit us from 10am- 8pm!

For all our 2022 holiday hours, please refer to our Holiday Closings.