Shannon

Summer at the Library 2026: Week 1

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It’s time for SUMMER AT THE LIBRARY! We are all geared up for fun at the Eau Claire library this summer, and there are lots of free events ahead! Just follow the link, and find out about upcoming programs like Pebble Friends on Wednesday, June 10 , Folk Music with Will Branch on Thursday, June 11 (no tickets needed), and Hack Your Oreo on Thursday, June 11 for teens! Find the full list right here. We’ll see you soon at the library!

Here’s a quick peek at what we’ve been up to:

Kelly K

Get Gross, Get Curious with our Waist-Deep in Learning Series!

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Join us for the grossest, goofiest, most giggle-filled science series of the season!
From owl puke to sticky slime to history’s ickiest jobs, you’ll discover that learning isn’t always neat, and that’s exactly what makes it fun.

Waist-Deep in Learning: Whoooo Ate What!?

Friday, October 17 | 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. | Riverview Room

Ready to dig into something truly wild? Join us for an event where science meets “eww!” in the best possible way. Join Beaver Creek Reserve who will be bringing in a real live Barred Owl! You’ll get to find out exactly what this feathered friend has been eating. How? By dissecting owl pellets, of course!

This hands-on, slightly icky, totally unforgettable adventure is perfect for curious kids ages 6–11 and their grown-ups. Come ready to laugh, learn, and get your hands dirty as we explore nature’s food chain in the most memorable way possible.

Registration is required (one per child), and spots will go fast, sign up now before this one fills up!

Can’t Get Enough Gross Science? We’ve Got You Covered!

This event is part of our Waist-Deep in Learning series — a celebration of all things sticky, slimy, and weirdly wonderful leading up to this year’s Chippewa Valley Book Festival!

Waist-Deep in Learning: Grossology
Monday, October 20 | 1–2:30 p.m. | Youth Program Room
Mix, mush, and experiment with the world’s grossest (and most fascinating!) science. Perfect for grades K–6 and their families. No registration needed.

Christine Virnig Presents: Eww!! The Grossest Jobs Throughout History
Wednesday, October 22 | 5–6 p.m. | Riverview Room
Ever wonder who cleaned the castle latrines? Or who handled the royal leeches? Author Christine Virnig will make you laugh, cringe, and maybe gag just a little as she explores the stinkiest jobs from history, complete with hands-on activities and questionable snacks inspired by her book Waist-Deep in Dung! No registration needed.

We hope to see you there!

Youth Services Staff

Alisha

Introducing…Tonies and Yotos!

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We’re excited to announce the addition of two new audio player formats to the library’s collection!

Tonies are toy-like figurines that activate songs and stories when placed on a Toniebox audio player. Kids can easily adjust volume, fast forward, rewind and change stories on their own. Our four Tonie Kits each come with a Toniebox and approximately five Tonies.

Similarly, Yoto Players are an easy-to-use audio player that plays children’s stories. The audiobook is activated simply by inserting a Yoto Card into the player. Each kit comes with a Yoto Player and approximately five story cards.

All Tonies and Yoto Cards have been pre-loaded onto the Tonieboxes and Yoto Players, respectively, making them available to play with or without a Wi-Fi signal. Both the Tonie kits and Yoto Kits are located in the Library of Things collection.

Katie H

Supa Dupa Dog Man Party

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Does your family love Dog Man?

So do we!

Visit the library to celebrate everyone’s favorite half-dog half-human police officer at the Supa Dupa Dog Man Party!

The party will take place on Friday, February 28, at 1:00-2:30pm in the 3rd floor Riverview Room. We will have Dog Man crafts, activities and challenges. Make a flip-o-rama, play pin the mask on Petey, and snack on dog food (for humans)!

We are excited to share that special guest K9 Murphy will be reporting for duty at this event. Murphy is a supa dupa therapy dog with the Eau Claire Police Department who loves to make new friends everywhere he goes!

This is a drop-in event with no registration required.

Children playing Connect Four.
Julia

Get Moving at the Young and the Restless

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Don’t let the cold slow you and your toddler down this winter. At the Young and the Restless, your little ones can hop, crawl, balance, and get their wiggles out during indoor playtime at the library. Follow an obstacle course, meet new friends, and enjoy room to move in the Third Floor Riverview Room. The Young and the Restless will take place Wednesdays, January 29-February 26 after Toddler Storytime. Drop-in–no registration required!

Children playing Connect Four.

Child holding adults hand while doing obstacle course.

Shannon

Winter Break Week!

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Winter Break is almost upon us, which means it’s time to head to the library for tons of extra fun! Kids, Teens, and their families are invited to join us during Winter Break Week  (December 23-31) for a flurry of seasonal activities.    

When you visit the library, you’ll find scavenger hunts, craft activities, and games all week long–just stop by the Youth Services desk (Level 1) for details. While you are there, ask about our Winter Library Program (December 21–February 28)! You can sign up for our Family or Teen program to earn a prize! Click here for full info.

Of course, we also have some special events happening throughout the week. On Monday, December 23, join us for a Squishmallow Painting Party! Join us to create your own Squishmallow portrait on canvas, while supplies last. No registration needed. Details here!

Teens will have a chance to get cozy at the library during Winter Break Week. Youth in grades 7-12 are invited to join us in the teen lounge for Cozy Vibes Only on Thursday, December 26. We will provide a hot cocoa station, a cozy reading room, a stitching corner, a variety of puzzles and games, and snacks! Registration is recommended, but not required. Click here for full information. 

Teens are also invited to get crafty with us at Do You Wanna Build a Snow Globe? On Friday, December 27. Teens in grades 7-12 can make their very own weird or wonderful miniature snowscape. Registration is required by clicking here. 

Have you ever wanted to visit the library after we close? Then Family Fort Night is for you! On Friday, December 27, families are invited to join us after hours to build a cozy fort to read in, and to enjoy stories, snacks, crafts, and games. Registration and details here! (This event is not related to the online game Fortnite.) 

Families are invited to return to the library on Saturday, December 28 for New Year’s Crafternoon. Drop in to create fun crafts to celebrate the new year. No registration needed. Details are here! 

If video games are your thing, join us on Monday, December 30 as we break out the Nintendo Switch games! Youth grades K-6 can attend Mario Kart @ the Library from 10-12, and then we turn it over to the teens (grades 7-12) from 1:30-3:30 for an Ultimate Nintendo Switch Tournament. No registration is required for either session.

Finally, on Tuesday, December 31, families can visit the library to ring in the new year at our Noon Year’s Eve Party. Join us for dancing, crafts, face painting, snacks, and a countdown to a balloon drop at noon! No registration required. Click here for details. 

And, of course, we always offer books, movies, video games, maker kits, and so much more, so stock-up for chilly weather and family time. Be sure to stop in – we’re always happy to see you! 

 

Sadie

Youth Services Glow Up

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If you have visited Youth Services in the past month, you have probably noticed some changes; most notably, a visit from the Carpet Fairy and some furniture rearranging!

The Carpet Fairy brought in new carpet and extended it all the way around Play ‘n Learn to enlarge the space for more activities and fun! To keep the carpet for play, the Youth Services Desk was moved onto the floor across from the Picture Book section.

Some of our collections moved, too! We are constantly adding new books and we wanted to highlight them. Now you will see a shelf of new materials right when you walk into Youth Services. Other collections such as Holiday, Early Readers and Read-Alongs have moved too; please ask a staff member to help find your favorites.

 

We hope you like our new set up and the expanded Play ‘n Learn! Please stop on in, try it out, and tell us what you think.

Cheers!

Alisha

Summer Fun – We’ve Got You Covered!

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Not only do we have summer programs galore at the library to keep you busy and entertained, we also have a plethora of kits in our Library of Things collection that are perfect summer activities.

Are you looking for an acoustic guitar or ukulele to play around a campfire?  We have those!  Need a tent or camp stove for a camping trip?  We’ve got those, too.  Want to take the family to visit a park?  Check out our Wisconsin State Parks kit that includes a one day pass for one vehicle and its occupants, the Eau Claire County Parks kit, or the Beaver Creek Reserve kit.  Maybe you’d prefer checking out one of our many yard games, a stargazing kit, a karaoke machine for your next family picnic, or a microscope kit to take a closer look at the specimens found in your backyard.  Plan an outdoor movie night using our projector.

See what I mean?!  We’ve got you covered for summer activities!  Peruse the list below for summer activity kits to check out or view the entire Library of Things collection on the MORE catalog or app.

  • Beep Baseball
  • Birdwatching
  • Bocce Ball set
  • Bugs Play Kit
  • Camp Stove
  • Canning Kit
  • Connect 4 Yard Game
  • Cornhole Toss Game
  • Croquet
  • Disc Golf set
  • Eau Claire County Parks kit
  • Explore Beaver Creek Reserve kit
  • Garden Stories Play Kit
  • Giant Jenga
  • GoPro camera
  • Hiking Kit
  • Horseshoes Game Set
  • Kan Jam Disc Toss Game
  • Karaoke Machine
  • Kubb
  • Ladder Toss Yard Game
  • Lawn Darts
  • Metal Detector
  • Microscope Activity Backpack
  • Ninja Obstacle Course
  • Outdoor Adventures Activity Backpack for kids
  • Pickleball
  • Scatter Yard Game
  • Slammo
  • Stargazing
  • Tennis
  • Tent
  • Travel Kit
  • Wisconsin State Parks Kit
  • Wifi Bluetooth Projector kit for outdoor movie night
  • Yard Dice

 

 

Jerissa

Supporting Your Child’s Reading Development

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Parents and caregivers, do you want to help your child get ready for and succeed at reading but aren’t sure where to start? We’ve got you covered! Join us at the library for two evenings of discussions with UW-Eau Claire professors about science-based strategies for supporting your child’s reading development at home.

The first session: Early Literacy

  • Monday, June 24, from 6-7:30 p.m. | Carnegie Room (on the first floor)
  • How to support your child’s early literacy skills between the ages of 0-6 years
  • Led by Dr. Angela Jones and her student researchers

Dr. Angela Jones and her student researchers will discuss their model “Read with TLC,” a comprehensive resource designed to help you engage in activities that will effectively prepare your child for reading.

The second session: Emergent Reading

  • Wednesday, June 26, from 6-7:30 p.m. | Riverview Room (on the third floor)
  • How to support your child’s emergent reading skills between grades K-5
  • Led by Dr. Susan Tily and her student researchers

Registration is not required for either session. If you are an early childhood educator, completion certificates are available upon request for continuing education purposes.

“We provide practical strategies, engaging activities, and tips for cultivating a love for language and literacy in young children,” Dr. Jones says. “Whether through playful interactions, immersive experiences, or purposeful interventions, you play a pivotal role in fostering your child’s literacy skills.” We hope you will join us!

Sadie

LEGO at the Library!

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Do you have a kiddo who loves to build with LEGO? How would they feel about whole room full of them? Well, it just so happens that Youth Services hosts a drop in LEGO Club in the program room on level 1. Floor mats are set up around the room and all the LEGO bricks your kiddos could imagine will be brought out for them to build with. We encourage you to bring your kiddos to meet and build with other LEGO fans in the area. Hope to see you there!

Summer Schedule:

Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
June 15, July 6 and 27

Mondays from 10 a.m. – Noon
June 17, July 8 and 29