Kids & Teens
The Perth & District Library has dedicated spaces, collections and programs for babies, toddlers, kids and teens!
You’ll want a library card to borrow and bring home anything from our collection, but you don’t need one to visit the library or attend any of our programs.
Babies & Toddlers
At the Perth & District Library, we offer an engaging and interactive children’s area for young children, with board and picture books to borrow, and a place to play, draw, and be a part of a community!
We offer Babytimes and Storytimes where you can meet other parents and help introduce your children to the love of reading! We even have a lending Toy Library for children ages 0-6 and a collection of parenting books.
Daycare Book Delivery
Perth Library Early Years (PLEY) Bags of children’s books are distributed to area playgroups and home daycares in partnership with CROW. Bags of books are delivered to Home Childcare Providers on a monthly basis.
Contact Heidi if you are interested in signing up for this service.
Early Literacy Resources for Home
Reading together helps build a lifelong love of reading and develops critical early literacy skills in children.
- Children who enjoy books will want to learn to read.
- Children who want to have books read to them are more likely to want to learn to read.
- The more words a child hears, the larger their vocabulary will be, which helps with reading.
Have fun at home while building your child’s literacy skills using some of the songs found in our Babytime & Storytime programs! Be sure to snuggle up and read a book or two as well!
Parenting Supports
ConnectWell: Child, Youth and Family Programs
ConnectWell Community Health provides community-based primary health care and health promotion programs and services and a range of developmental and social services in Lanark, Renfrew, and Leeds and Grenville counties, including supporting families, Family Support Workers, and inclusion of children with special needs.
https://connectwell.ca/services/child-youth-and-family/
1-800-667-2617
Language Express
Language Express provides speech and language services to babies, toddlers, and preschoolers and their families in Lanark, Leeds and Grenville.
healthunit.org/health-information/language-express/
1-888-503-8885
EarlyON & Children's Resources on Wheels
Children’s Resources on Wheels is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and strengthening child care, family life, child development and community links in Lanark County.
613-283-0095 Ext. 300
info@crowlanark.com
Child Care Fee Subsidy
Need help reducing your child care costs? Families who live in Lanark County and the Town of Smiths Falls can apply for Child Care fee subsidy. Fee subsidy helps with the cost of licensed child care for children under 13 years old.
www.lanarkcounty.ca/en/family-and-social-services/fee-subsidy.aspx
613-267-4200 ext 2302
Canadian Children's Literacy Foundation
Tips & resources to help you build your child’s literacy skills.
childrensliteracy.ca
Media Smarts
Resources to teach your child digital and media literacy skills.
mediasmarts.ca
Complete listing of groups and services for parenting support offered in Leeds, Grenville and Lanark.
Kids
We offer a wide range of collections for kids, including early readers, chapter books, non-fiction, livres en Francais, and comics/graphic novels. We even have STEAM Boxes with tools, materials, and activities for exploring STEAM concepts and eBooks and eAudiobooks for kids.
We offer March Break, summer, and school-year programs where kids can learn to code, explore, create, and of course, read!
Reading Buddies
The Reading Buddies Program is a volunteer based 1-1 reading program for primary students. Reading Buddies meets the demands for literacy support throughout the school year and models the importance of reading with children as they grow.
The next Reading Buddies session will be held February 11 until March 29. The program will not run during March Break.
Registration will open Monday January 20 at 9:00am.
Summer Literacy Program
The Summer Literacy Program provides tutoring for children in kindergarten through grade three during July and August. These children have been recommended by their teachers for extra help with their reading and writing.
If you think your child could benefit from the Summer Literacy Program, please speak with your child’s teacher. We provide referral forms to all of our area schools (in Tay Valley, Perth, and Drummond/North Elmsley) in May of each year. If you are a homeschooler, please contact Heidi Taber at htaber@perthunionlibrary.ca.
TD Summer Reading Club
The TD Summer Reading Club is Canada’s biggest, bilingual summer reading program! The Perth & District Library has a full calendar of children’s and teen programs, as well as a reading challenge for all ages! Visit our Summer Reading page for details.
Class Visits
The library offers in-person and virtual class visits! Class visits are available for all elementary and secondary school classes. Teachers are invited to book one visit per semester by contacting Heidi.
During an in-person class visit, students will be given a tour of the library and encouraged to borrow materials. A Storytime can be arranged for younger grades.
A virtual visit will include a tour and classes are encouraged to send questions in advance for our staff to answer.
If you have any questions, please email Heidi at htaber@perthunionlibrary.ca.
Literacy Resources for Home
Reading is an essential skill for success in school and in life.
Have fun at home while building your child’s literacy skills using these resources:
- UFLI Foundations: Used by the Upper Canada District School Board, UFLI Foundations teaches foundational reading skills.
- Reading Tips for Parents To Help Beginning Readers
- Supporting Your Child’s Reading at Home (K-Gr3)
- 20 Literacy Activities for the Whole Family
Teens
We offer a wide range of services for teens, with books, manga and graphic novels to borrow and a dedicated space to hang out, read, and access the Internet. We even have eBooks and eAudiobooks for teens and an art display area.
We offer a monthly Teen Book Club, exam de-stress, and summer programs for teens to create and explore.
Youth Services
YAK Youth Services
YAK Youth Services is deeply committed to promoting the well-being and positive development of local youth, serving as a vital support network while providing protective conditions. YYS currently operates the Perth Youth Centre and manage the Perth Community Services Hub, both of which are located at 1881 Rogers Rd.
yakyouth.ca
613-264-8381
info@yakyouth.ca
The Table - Youth Programs
The Table Community Food Centre offers a youth food skills program, after school program, and a youth garden program.
www.thetablecfc.org/youth-programs
613-267-6428 ext 110
coral@thetablecfc.org
Health & Mental Health Supports for Youth
Open Doors for Children and Youth – Lanark
Open Doors for Lanark Children and Youth is an accredited child and youth mental health center delivering services throughout Lanark County.
www.opendoors.on.ca
1-877-232-8260
Kids Help Phone
Kids Help Phone is Canada’s only 24/7 e-mental health service offering free, multilingual and confidential support to help all young people Feel Out Loud.
kidshelpphone.ca
1-800-668-6868
TEXT 686868
One Stop Talk
Mon-Fri, 12-8pm, Sat 12-4pm
One Stop Talk is a free, confidential service that lets children and youth aged 0-17 years call or connect online from anywhere in Ontario to get brief mental health services. Parents seeking services are encouraged to visit One Stop Talk with their child to ensure access to a session. One Stop Talk is not a crisis line. It provides you with one hour of professional therapy at no cost to work through your current issue or problem. Together, a certified therapist and you co-design a plan to help you move forward.
1-855-416-8255
Good2Talk
Good2Talk is a free, confidential support service for post-secondary students in Ontario.
good2talk.ca/ontario
1-866-925-5454
BounceBack
BounceBack is a free skill-building program designed to help youth 15+ manage low mood, mild to moderate depression, anxiety, stress or worry. Delivered online or over the phone with a coach, you will get access to tools that will support you on your path to mental wellness.
bouncebackontario.ca/teens/
mindyourmind
MindYourMind offers interactive tools and innovative resources to build capacity and resilience.
mindyourmind.ca
Meet Our Staff
Heidi Taber
Library Specialist - Children & Youth Services
Heidi originally joined the team in 2004 as a Page. Since then, she has filled many positions within the organization. After taking a seven year hiatus to be a flower farmer, Heidi returned to the library as a Library Assistant. Her dream of working with children grew into reality as she became the Library Specialist - Children & Youth Services in 2020. If you are looking for a welcoming smile, a light-filled space and a good book, head up to the second floor of the library where you'll find all three!
The Library Specialist – Children and Teen Services is responsible for overseeing services to children and teens up to age 18, including planning, collection development, programming, and outreach.