Whether you're visiting the Louis Latzer Library, the Edwardsville Public Library, or a small-town branch, there's always something happening for kids. If you're building a full day out, pair a library visit with a nearby Park or explore local activities on the calendar. Libraries are also a great resource for homeschoolers! See the Community page for more support.
FAQ
Q: Are library programs free?
A: Yes, most children’s programs are free and available to ALL Illinois library card holders. Those resources marked with *asterisks* are only available to library card holders at that branch.
Q: Do library cards cost money?
A: Most towns offer free library services. If you live in a small town, your card may cost a small yearly fee.
Q: Do libraries require registration?
A: Most events do not require a library card or residency. Some require registration. Each library listing includes details. Don't be afraid to ask!
Great kids area has rooms with train table, kitchen area, puppets, a slide, and comfy couches. Additional table top games and computers can be found in main kids' area.
Online Resources
- ABC Mouse Remote
- Early Readers Collection
- Tumblebooks
Other Perks
- Chromebooks available for free 3 hour checkout
- Wi-Fi hotspot from 9AM to 9PM between the library and Blum House: cml-hotspot Password: Collinsville1234
- Weekly Free Kids Activity Pack for curbside pickup
- Comic Book Creator Kits
- Collinsville Water park 1 week passes: Collinsville Library and Fairmont City Library cardholders can place holds. Any IHLS cardholder can borrow when available. A card is good for four individuals.
- Edwardsville Children's Museum 1 week passes: Collinsville Library and Fairmont City Library cardholders can place holds. Any IHLS cardholder can borrow when available. A card is good for four people.
- Non-Residents cards can be purchased for $79 per year. (See card restrictions below.)
Children's area has computers, reading areas, games, and toys.There's also a seed Library and access to ABC mouse.
Downstairs has children's books, reading areas, toys, and a "fish tank". Lots of space for kids. Often has craft to bring home.
Kits
- Citizen Science Kits: Each kit includes instructions and projects to complete
- **American Girl Dolls: Doll and accessory kit with an extra outfit
- Science Discovery Kits: A frog anatomy kit, Star Planetarium, and more
- Preschool Kits: Be an architect, chemist, paleontologist, and much more
- Book Discussion Kits: Comes with 10 books, questions, and an activity
- Kanopy
- Hoopla
- **FabLab Membership provides access to 3D printing, laser cutting, and vinyl cutting.
- **Launchpads: Borrow tablets with pre-loaded games and activities on educational subjects.
- Special Education Resources: Books, DVDs, flashcards and games for children with special needs.
- **Edwardsville Children's Museum Passes: Free admission for 4 people
- Fishing Poles: Borrow fishing poles provided by the Illinois DNR.
- Take Home Crafts available every other week
- Reading Challenge at beanstalk.
Fairmont City Library
Fairmont City Library has a large number of toys in the children's area including a kitchen, barn, and lots of cars. Staff are very friendly. Many Spanish resources are available. There is often free food available. There are lots of great programs.
Online Resources
- ABC Mouse Remote
- Early Readers Collection
- Tumblebooks
Other Perks
- Chromebooks available for free 3 hour checkout
- Wi-Fi hotspot from 9AM to 9PM between the library and Blum House: cml-hotspot Password: Collinsville1234
- Weekly Free Kids Activity Pack for curbside pickup
- Comic Book Creator Kits
- Collinsville Water park 1 week Passes: Collinsville Library and Fairmont City Library cardholders can place holds. Any IHLS cardholder can borrow when available. A card is good for four individuals.
- Edwardsville Children's Museum 1 week : Collinsville Library and Fairmont City Library cardholders can place holds. Any IHLS cardholder can borrow when available. A card is good for four people.
- Non-Residents cards can be purchased for $79 per year for your family. (Note Illinois law about buying library cards below.)
Kids area with tables for working, kits to check out, and train in case.
Events
- Story Times
- Youth Book Group for Kids
- STEM Kit Activities
- Craft Kits on Saturdays Once a Month.
- Hoopla
- Cloud Library
- Teen Discord Server: A server for teens to encourage safe online play
- **Edwardsville Children's Museum Passes: Free admission for 4 people
- 1000 Books Before Kindergarten Reading Challenge
- StoryWalk at the front of the library that goes into Miner Park
Hayner Library Downtown Branch
326 Belle Street
Hayner Library Downtown Branch has an upstairs children's area with games and puzzles. The children's room is extremely welcoming, but the real treat was their librarian! She welcomed each of us, took time to chat, and remembered our stories to check back in later.
Online Resources
- TumbleBook Library with 250 animated talking picture books
- Creativebug: art and crafts learning center
Other Perks
- Children may call (618) 462-TALE to listen to a short story recorded by the staff of our children’s department
- Notary Public on a walk-in basis at a charge of $1.00 for each document notarized. Call 618-462-0677
- *An annual non-resident card may be purchased for $109.00.
Downstairs children's area has computers, toys, and a large room for presentors.
Online Resources
- Creativebug: art and crafts learning center
- Follow their facebook page to learn when they put FREE children’s books at their back door
- An annual non-resident card may be purchased for $85.00.
Has kids' room with play kitchen, foam blocks for building and stacking, interactive gaming, children's seats, and an interactive light up board. Books are organized by topics including popular characters! Staff are very welcoming and work hard to involve community kids!
Online Resources
- Hoopla
- Cloud Library
Six Mile Regional Library District (Delmar)
Has fantastic children's area with lots of toys and large building blocks.
2001 Delmar Avenue
Phone: 618-452-6238
Hours: Monday 9:00 AM-6:00 PM
Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday 11:00 AM-8:00 PM
Friday & Saturday 9:00 AM-6:00 PM
Online Resources
- **Hoopla
- **Overdrive
- **Tutor.com connects students to over 3,000 highly vetted tutors.
- **Audio Book Cloud
- **Cloud Library
- Creativebug: art and crafts learning center
- Wireless network at no charge inside and in the parking lots. Connect to SMRLD WiFi, no password required.
- Weekly Take Home Crafts
- *Non-resident card may be purchased.
Library has weekly scavenger hunts, play kitchen, and a variety of toys. Staff are extremely kind and welcoming with children.
Events
- Search the library on Wednesdays to find hidden object and get a prize.
- Storytime at the library and Troy park
- Book Club for Teens
- Monthly Lego Club
- Yoga Story Time Adventures
- Virtual Kindermusik Story time
- Hoopla
- Kanopy
- Beanstack
- Cloud Library
- 3D Printer
- Notary Service: Available most weekdays during library hours for a $1.00 fee. Call ahead.
- Fax Service - Send and receive faxes for 50 cents a page within the U.S. Additional for outside the U.S.
- Annual non-resident card may be purchased for $101.00 and used by the entire household.
- Edwardsville Children's Museum Passes: Free admission for 4 people (when available, you do not need to be Troy library members.)
Wood River Public Library
Very welcoming staff welcome area families and those from outside communities to enjoy the facilities and programming. Almost all of their programs, services, and books are available for everyone to utilize.
The community obviously supports and works with staff. Events are often led by and facilitated by comunity volunteers.
The children's section has comfortable seating. Books are organized by category in baskets with picture labels and placed at a low height for children to grab. There is a weekly scavenger hunt for Waldo that earns kids a sticker.
Events
- Movie Monday
- Roll and Read
- Wee Jam
- Lego Club
- Toddler Tales
- Reading with a Dog
- Various Holiday Events
- Discovery Kits for ages 6-8
- Bugs Storytime Kit with books, activity, and more
- Children's Phonics Kits
- S.T.E.M. kits
- Code-n-Go Robot Mouse.
- **TumbleBooks for Kids
- Beanstack Reading Challenges
- **CloudLibrary
- Creativebug: art and crafts learning center
- **ABCMouse
- **Freegal
- Monthly Boredom Bags for kids
- Book Club on Zoom
- Guest WiFi: WRPL-Guest and the password is our phone number: 6182544832
- Fishing Poles to check out with a valid IHLS library card.
