Children & Teens

CML offers a variety of fun and engaging programs for kids and teens throughout the year. Some are ongoing events and some are one-time only. Feel free to call or email us with any questions. Cancellations will be posted on Facebook and the home page, and our events are also listed on our Google calendar. We look forward to seeing you soon!
Events

Lego Club!

First Tuesdays, 3:00-4:30pm
December 3
All ages. Children under 5 should have an attentive adult.

Unleash your creativity and join the building adventure! Explore the endless possibilities of Lego bricks, where imaginations take flight, and friendships are built one brick at a time. Come, play, and construct amazing worlds together! We will exhibit your creations at the library until the next Lego Club meeting.

Reading Dragons Club

Second Tuesdays, 3:30-4:30 pm
December 10
This program is intended for kids 8+

This club will take young readers on a journey through words and imagination!   We will create captivating tales, sample new books with our “book tasting menus” and do a variety of Reading Dragon-related activities ( including revealing the new dragon families for the next month!).  At each meeting, attendees will be entered into a drawing to win a new book.

Monthly themes
December: Magical creatures

Art Challenge

Third Tuesdays 3:00-4:30 pm
December 17
Intended for kids school-age +

Unleash your creativity at our monthly Art Challenge!  Participants will be challenged to create their own unique work of art based on the given theme each month.  A variety of materials will be provided to choose from.  Finished projects will be photographed and displayed in our virtual art gallery until the next month’s meeting.

Storycraft

Last Tuesdays, 3:30-4:30 pm
*There is no December session. We will see you in January!
Intended for kids school-age +

Join us for a special  blend of storytelling and creativity!  This program is designed for school age children and will feature a story time with longer picture books followed by a fun, related craft activity.

Monthly themes
  • ​November: Dinosaurs

Chess Club

Friday, December 13 and 20 1 at 3:00 pm
All ages.

A fun and informal meetup to come play chess. Some instruction available if you want to learn or improve your game. The library will provide chess boards, but participants are also welcome to bring their own.

Storytime

Friday mornings from 10:30-11:30 am
Children's Room
Music, movement, stories, and more, for children  and their caregivers. Families are welcome to join in!

To preview upcoming themes, please visit our Storytime page.

Weather cancellations will be posted on our Facebook page.

DIY Kits

Try a new craft or project. Discover your new favorite thing! These kits are for projects you can do at home, and they include instructions and supplies.

Patch Challenges

Carver Memorial Library encourages everyone, kids, adults, teens, and families, to take on our Reading Challenges! We encourage you to read widely and explore the library and the world around you. The challenges available are Conservation, Music, Kindness, Oceans, Animals, Fairytales, Maine History, and Searsport.

To complete each challenge, log reading and activities to earn an embroidered patch/badge. Independent readers read 3 books (appropriate to your reading level) and do 3 activities related to the theme. Family readers/children being read to/pre-readers read 5 books and do 3 activities.
All the details and log sheets on our Patch challenge page.

1,000 Books Before Kindergarten

Carver Memorial Library is proud to support the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Program!

The 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program encourages family bonding while helping young children to develop the skills that will help them become successful lifelong readers.

Come to the Library to pick up your first log, and every time you complete 100 books for a progress sticker and a new log. After finishing 1000 books, the participating child will receive an embroidered patch and a book plate inscribed with their name in a selected picture book in the library collection!

All the details on our 1000 Books Before Kindergarten page.

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library

Inspire your child’s love of reading!

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library mails free, high-quality, age-appropriate books to children from birth to age five. Books will arrive in the mail monthly until your child’s 5th birthday!

This FREE BOOKS program is available to all infants, toddlers, and preschoolers in Waldo County.

It’s easy to enroll! Click here to register online, download an application form, or ask a librarian for a paper copy.

Resources for teens

Find help for whatever problems you or your friends face.

The library - and the community at large - are here to help you find what you need. There's probably stuff you may not want to talk about but need to know. As always, you can ask a librarian for help—we do not judge!

Ask in person, by phone (548-2303) or email our Youth Services Librarian at [email protected]. You can also use our Tough Topics bookmarks to help you find those things in our collection.
Reading and watching, information, research and learning
  • Book and video selections from YALSA, the Young Adult Library Services Association
  • Guide to Healthy Web Surfing
  • Bendable Maine: a lifelong learning platform that allows state residents of all ages and backgrounds to easily discover content that is just right for them and then acquire new knowledge and skills through online courses as well as local, in-person learning opportunities. In most cases, content on the platform is free. Popular topics include job readiness, crafting and making, personal finance, personal well-being, languages, and sales and service.

Helplines, Hotlines, and Mental Health Resources
Homelessness and food assistance
  • But Still I Am One a nonprofit foundation providing support and services to young adults who are unhoused or home insecure.
  • Belfast Soup Kitchen Meals for anyone in need, no questions asked.
  • The Game Loft provides a safe, supervised location for local youth to play games with friends, engage with the community, and eat a healthy meal. The Game Loft is a free program open to all Waldo County youth, 50 weeks a year, between the ages of 6-18 who are in school or are home-schooled.
  • From the National Library of Medicine, this is a very helpful list of questions to ask yourself when searching for health information, in order to better determine the quality and accuracy of a resource.

Health
  • Teen Health from Medline Plus
  • Go Ask Alice Interactive health Q&A online resource from Columbia University. Provides readers all over the world with reliable, accurate, accessible, and culturally competent health information, giving a range of thoughtful perspectives to help them make responsible and informed decisions concerning their health and well-being.
  • Planned Parenthood teen page Information on sex, relationships, your body, and more.
  • Scarleteen "Sex ed for the real world. inclusive, comprehensive, supportive sexuality and relationships info for teens and emerging adults."