Keep your reading journey going by logging 100 books read before High School! This challenge is meant for students in K-8. For every 20 books read, you’ll receive a free book.  This challenge can only be completed once.  Download the Beanstack Tracker to your phone or tablet, search for Middletown Public Library (RI), and follow the prompts to either create an account or sign in.

1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Reading Challenge

The 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten challenge fosters an early love of reading and builds early literacy skills.  Open to babies through preschool.  Find it on our Beanstack page!

  Inside the Children’s Department: What to Expect

• We have removed all toys and seating, and tables have been turned into display spaces.  We have set up our space to be a Book Boutique, a place where you can browse and borrow.  Take-and-Make crafts are available, and we are more than happy to help you!
• Capacity is currently limited; you may need to wait to access the building.
• We encourage patrons to spend no more than 20 minutes in the building to allow more patrons to have an opportunity to use the library.  The Children’s Department is open for browsing only.
• Patrons and staff are required to wear a mask at all times while inside the library, per the Governor’s mandate. Masks should fully cover the nose and mouth.  Children under 2 are exempt.
• Patrons and staff must maintain six feet of distance from other people, when possible.

Storytimes During Coronavirus

It is the highlight of our week to share stories, songs, flannel boards, and movement activities with your family, and we still want to provide storytimes to you during this time.  All storytimes are now virtual until further notice.

Please join us on our Facebook page where we post our virtual storytimes!  Round up your preschoolers and toddlers to enjoy stories, rhymes, songs, and fun with our children’s staff.  A Facebook account or registration is not required for viewing.  Simply click the links and enjoy.

October 13th: Virtual Letter “C” Preschool Storytime.  Join us for a preschool storytime on Facebook that relates to the letter “C”! You can also pick up a Letter C Preschool Packet in the library to go along with this storytime. The packet includes 2 crafts and related preschool activities. Packets will be available in the Children’s Department, while supplies last, beginning on Tuesday, October 13th. Curbside pickup is available; please email us at middletownreads@gmail.com with your name and phone number.

October 19th: Virtual Family Storytime

October 26th: Virtual Letter “D” Preschool Storytime.  Join us for a preschool storytime on Facebook that relates to the letter “D”! You can also pick up a Letter D Preschool Packet in the library to go along with this storytime. The packet includes activities suitable for preschoolers ages 3-5. Packets will be available in the Children’s Department, while supplies last, beginning on Monday, October 26th. Curbside pickup is available; please email us at middletownreads@gmail.com with your name and phone number.

Book Bundles Are Still Available for Curbside

Popular for years with families in our library, our book bundles are also available for curbside pickup and book requests.  Simply email us at middletownreads@gmail.com with your requested book bundle topics, or complete the book bundle request form below, and we will arrange a pickup for you.  Don’t see a topic listed that you are interested in?  You can still request it, and we’ll do our best to pull books for you on that topic.

Reading Recommendations and Lists

See what new books we’ve been buying!

2021 Rhode Island Middle School Book Award Nominees

2021 Rhode Island Book Award Nominees 

Want more great book lists?  Register for Beanstack and take a look at our curated reading lists and also opt in to receive weekly reading recommendations.

October Tween/Teen Take Out Bags

Tell us which genres the tween/teen is interested in and we’ll surprise them with 3 library books checked out to you, paired with a monthly craft/activities. Return the library books, but keep the craft and activities! This month’s craft is a Spooky Bat Chandelier. You’ll be provided with everything you need to make the craft, except for the glue and scissors.

Local residents may apply. Priority registration is open to Middletown residents until October 17th. Non-Middletown residents will be placed on a waiting list and will be contacted if bags are still available in the order that the request was received. After the registration deadline, we may distribute them on a first-come, first-serve basis regardless of residency. Limit of 1 per family; additional tweens/teens in the family may apply to be placed on the waiting list if supplies are available. Supplies are limited; book checkout is required to receive the craft. Contact information given will be used to arrange the pickup of the take-out bag. Residency is determined by the address used in the library card given.