Reading and Beyond in the Bellevue Library Children’s Department

By Michelle Bullock, Bellevue Public Library Children’s Librarian

Bellevue Public Library’s children’s and family programs are more popular than ever and continue to evolve. The variety of programs available for families with children through grade 6 has increased and family participation has skyrocketed, indicating community enthusiasm.

Early Literacy programs are geared toward families with children ages birth through preschool. These programs are organized and presented by our Assistant Children’s Librarian, Brandi Kanawyer, and require a helpful adult. These programs often include collaboration with local organizations, such as Sing Omaha and Bellevue Public Schools, and help develop early literacy skills that the child will need when entering kindergarten.

Our Early Literacy programs may include Baby & Toddler Storytime, Music & Movement, Pre-K STEAM, and Preschool Storytime, as well as fun drop-in activities like wind tunnels and scavenger hunts. All of the early literacy programs and activities consist of book sharing, singing, dancing, puppets or fingerplay rhymes, interactive flannel boards, sensory activities, and promote group play. Registration is required for Pre-K STEAM and recommended for Music & Movement.

Returning to Wednesdays in January, Music and Movement with Sing Omaha is a family favorite. The energy and enthusiasm that Heidi Bush shares each week are so enjoyed by our families that we have added a second, half-hour option for attendance. Registration is recommended, although not required, and families can choose between 9:30-10:00 am or 10:15-10:45 am.

School-Age programs at Bellevue Library are geared toward families with children in grades kindergarten through 6 and are created and presented by our Children’s Librarian, Michelle Bullock. On occasion, school-age programs are presented in collaboration with children’s book publishers like Chooseco, LLC. and local organizations such as Omaha Organization for the Purpose of Storytelling, Papillion (Sump) Library, and Umami Asian Cuisine to name a few.

Monthly school-age programs include Choose Your Own Adventure Read Aloud Book Club (CYOA Book Club), Golden Sower Book Club, Kids Advisory Board, and Kids in the Kitchen. These programs bring children in grades K-6 together in a variety of settings and allow for creativity and collaboration. Registration is required for CYOA Book Club and Kids in the Kitchen.

Family programs are for all families with children through grade 6 and may include Coloring with Cops, Kitty Café, LEGO Club, Pawsitive Reading, Pizza & a Movie, Senior Citizen Reading, Spanish Storytime, and all of our fun, drop-in activities such as wind tunnels and scavenger hunts. Many of these family programs are presented in collaboration with local organizations such as the Bellevue Police Department, Bellevue Public Schools, Nebraska Animal Loving Advocates (NALA), Nebraska Humane Society, and Omaha Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Programs that have limited space and/or include participation kits require registration. Registrations can be made by visiting the library’s website at https://bellevuelibrary.org/, scanning QR codes on posters in the library, or through links associated with individual badges on Beanstack challenges. 

Please direct questions about Children’s and Family programming at Bellevue Public Library to Michelle Bullock, [email protected] or 402-293-3158.