Children and Young Adults
CityLibraries Townsville hosts heaps of fun, free and low-cost activities for children and young adults including First 5 Forever, Story Time, Baby Rhyme Time, Children's Book Week celebrations, Summer Reading Club, and a range of School holiday programs.
Parents and caregivers can sign children up for their very own library card. For young adults, CityLibraries offers the Loud Lounge at CityLibraries Thuringowa Central.
Check out our eBook When Bully-Wind Bob Comes To Town.
What does the library have for children?
- picture books
- readers, chapter books, junior fiction, magazines, and graphic novels
- eBooks, eAudiobooks, DVDs, and music
- a Parents' Collection
- Tumblebooks and many more programs online
- games and puzzles at Thuringowa branch, and toys in the children's area of each library
- The Children's and Youth Services team, specialists in young people's programs and reading, and
- The Corner Toolkit from State Library of Queensland
We also have a range of programs and activities for children, young adults and families.
First 5 Forever
| First 5 Forever Monthly Calendar |
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Did you know that up to 90% of a child’s brain development happens in the first five years of their life?
The experiences of those first five years stay with them forever and the more you read and talk with your child, the more connections you help them make in their brain.
First 5 Forever is a family literacy program aimed at supporting stronger language and literacy environments for children aged 0–5 years, and to help their families create this environment. First 5 Forever directly supports parents and primary caregivers with increased access to resources that helps them be confident as the child’s first and most important teacher.
CityLibraries Townsville has free First 5 Forever resources for you to use at home to help you support your child's brain development. It doesn’t cost anything to join. There are also lots of activities to try, including Baby Rhyme Time and Story Time sessions. The CityLibraries Townsville First 5 Forever team is also available for community outreach. Contact the library to find out more.
First 5 Forever in Townsville
First 5 Forever will connect with families through public libraries and community agencies. The program is generously supported by the State Government with the participation of Local Government Councils.
Townsville City Council is one of 320 public libraries that have received additional resources to deliver First 5 Forever. The First 5 Forever program includes:
- More opportunities for families to participate in public programs such as Baby Time, Story Time and Parent Information sessions,
- Information toolkits for parents and caregivers of young children (library Bag with picture book, bath puppet, nursery rhyme book and CD, and information and tips on how to support their child’s early language and literacy development),
- Partnerships between CityLibraries Townsville and local early childhood organisations to deliver First 5 Forever key messages and programs in the community.
First 5 Forever is focused on improving the outcomes for all Queensland children 0-5 years by supporting confidence around communication and learning through everyday experiences.
You can find more information about First 5 Forever on the State Library of Queensland's First 5 Forever webpage.
Why is First 5 Forever important to Queensland?
The Australian Early Development Census data for 2012 shows that 26.2% of Queensland children are developmentally vulnerable or at risk on one or more developmental domains – including language and cognitive skills. Queensland ranks sixth behind the other states.
In Queensland approximately 36% of parents of 0–2-year-olds, and 52% of parents of 3–8-year-olds do not regularly read to their children, and current evidence suggests this role is not well understood by parents and caregivers of children.
Fast Facts
- The Australian Early Development Census data for 2012 shows that 26.2% of Queensland children are developmentally vulnerable or at risk on one or more developmental domains – including language and cognitive skills. Queensland ranks sixth behind the other states.
- Approximately 62,000 children were born in Queensland last year.
- 36% of Queensland parents of 0–2-year-olds do not regularly read to their children or participate in informal learning.
- 52% of Queensland parents of 3–8-year-olds do not regularly read to their children or participate in informal learning.
- Current research shows that the parents and caregivers’ role in supporting their child’s literacy and language development in their very early years is not well understood in Queensland.
- Vocabulary at age 4 is highly correlated to reading comprehension in year 4.
- Research shows that children surrounded by daily activities such as reading, storytelling, singing and sharing rhymes will experience more comprehensive vocabulary, language and cognitive development before they start formal kindergarten and school programs.
- The critical development window for early literacy development is 0-3 years.
- Queensland children need to start kindy and school stronger in their language and comprehension development and with more confidence in reading.
- $20 million in resources has been committed by the Queensland Government over 4 years to First 5 Forever.
- 72 local government regions will benefit.
State Library of Queensland. (2016). First 5 Forever: a family literacy initiative for Queensland. Retrieved from: http://www.slq.qld.gov.au/whats-on/programs/first-5-forever
Summer Reading Club
Summer Reading Club will commence on December 13!
Join the Club! Join the Challenge!
Register at Summer Reading Club and take part in the challenges competitions, author blogs and other activities.
Download your challenge sheet and activity book (preschool, primary school, high school) or pick up a copy from your nearest library branch as well as an activity bag with free book to help get you started on your summer reading.
Story Box Library
Story Box Library as an online ‘reading room’. It’s a place where the wonderful world of Australian Children’s Literature is on permanent exhibit and children can connect, engage and be inspired by a range of quality Australian stories read on film by some wonderfully engaging storytellers.
Storytime (during school terms only)
With a mix of stories, rhymes, and play response, Storytime sessions are designed for children from three to five years of age. Storytime helps parents and carers encourage a lifelong interest in books and libraries, stimulates imagination, develops language skills, and provides an opportunity for children to socialise with each other.
Look out for guest storyreaders from local community groups and services. Guests have included members of the Police, Ambulance and Surf Lifesaving Clubs.
If you would like to be involved in Multicultural Storytime as a storyreader, please contact library staff.
Storytime, Baby Rhyme Time and Toddler Time sessions have recommenced face to face delivery.
Thursday - Arrive from 9am for a 9:30am start (CityLibraries Thuringowa Central)
To ensure we keep within COVID-19 space restrictions as directed by Queensland Health, a maximum of 30 members of the community will be able to attend each session. Bookings are therefore required. 1 person = 1 booking (Please book for every single person attending regardless of age - including babies).
Storytime - Bookings will be on What’s On Townsville.
The sessions will be 60 minutes, starting off with 30 minutes of play/chat time and StoryBox Library, before we jump into 30 minutes of stories, songs and rhymes. There will be no activity, play or opportunity to stay in the space following the session. This is to allow staff time to clean all areas and reset for the next session.
Baby Rhyme Time (during school terms only)
Stimulate your child's brain development, speech and senses with nursery rhymes and fingerplays that you can enjoy at home. You will also meet other parents and caregivers. For children up to two years of age and their parents and carers.
Storytime, Baby Rhyme Time and Toddler Time sessions have recommenced face to face delivery.
Tuesday – Arrive from 10:30am for a 11am start (Townsville Stadium, Annandale)
Wednesday – Arrive from 9am for a 9:30am start (CityLibraries Thuringowa Central)
Thursday - Arrive from 10.30am for a 11am start (CityLibraries Thuringowa Central)
To ensure we keep within COVID-19 space restrictions as directed by Queensland Health, a limited number of community members will be able to attend each session. Bookings are therefore required. 1 person = 1 booking (Please book for every single person attending regardless of age - including babies)
Bookings will be on What's On Townsville:
The sessions will be 50 minutes, starting off with 30 minutes of play/chat time and StoryBox Library, before we jump into 20 minutes of songs and rhymes. There will be no activity, play or opportunity to stay in the space following the session. This is to allow staff time to clean all areas and reset for the next session.
Toddler Time (during school terms only)
Ready to move on from Baby Rhyme Time? Not quite ready for Storytime? Come and join Toddler Time! Develop your toddler's concentration and early literacy skills with fun songs, dance and a story.
Storytime, Baby Rhyme Time and Toddler Time sessions have recommenced face to face delivery.
Tuesday – Arrive from 9am for a 9:30am start (Townsville Stadium, Annandale)
Wednesday – Arrive from 10:30am for a 11am start (CityLibraries Thuringowa Central)
To ensure we keep within COVID-19 space restrictions as directed by Queensland Health, a limited number of community members will be able to attend each session. Bookings are therefore required. 1 person = 1 booking (Please book for every single person attending regardless of age - including babies)
Bookings will be on What's On Townsville:
The sessions will be 50 minutes, starting off with 30 minutes of play/chat time and StoryBox Library, before we jump into 20 minutes of songs, dance and a story. There will be no activity, play or opportunity to stay in the space following the session. This is to allow staff time to clean all areas and reset for the next session.
Messy Play Take Home Packs
While we are unable to run Messy Play sessions, we will have ready-to-use Messy Play packs each month for you to share with your child at home.
These packs are designed to support your child’s early literacy development through sensory play, building fine and gross motor skills and having fun together.
Packs include a variety of ready-to-use Messy Play activities plus a booklet that includes songs, a story, recipes to re-create activities, information about First 5 Forever programs and hints and tips for each activity.
Collection days are held once a month, visit the Townsville CityLibrary Facebook page for locations and dates.
A limited number of packs will be available from the Mobile Library (view the schedule stops here), as well as our Flinders Street Library the weekend following the collection day.
Download our Messy Play booklets to enjoy at home.
2021
- January (PDF, 944.7 KB)
- February (PDF, 1007.3 KB)
- March (PDF, 1.0 MB)
- April (PDF, 963.4 KB)
- May (PDF, 973.3 KB)
- June (PDF, 1.1 MB)
2020
- June (PDF, 1.8 MB)
- July (PDF, 1.8 MB)
- August (PDF, 2.1 MB)
- September (PDF, 994.2 KB)
- October (PDF, 972.2 KB)
- November (PDF, 1.0 MB)
- December (PDF, 1.1 MB)
Please know that we can only do one Messy Play pack per child. We are unable to put packs on hold, it is a first in first served basis.
Dads Read
Dads Read recognises the vital role Dads play in helping children develop reading skills.
Learn more about the valuable role Dads play in developing children's literacy skills.
Children's Book Council of Australia - NQ Committee
Council is a contributing member of Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA). The North Queensland committee is dedicated to enhancing the cultural awareness of primary school children and hosts events to promote literacy to school aged children in the Townsville region. The CBCA also gives regional children the opportunity to meet authors and illustrators and to participate in Queensland events.
Have you read the books on the CBCA's Book of the Year Awards shortlist? View them here.
Young Adults
Join your friends in the Loud Lounge at CityLibraries Thuringowa Central and enjoy console gaming, performances, workshops, music, retro games or just hang out with your friends.
What does the library have for young adults?
- a Youth Space in each library
- graphic novels, fiction, magazines, DVDs, CDs
- eBooks, eAudiobooks
- non-fiction books, including titles on job applications, sports, etc
- Studiosity and other online resources for school work
- gaming consoles with Playstation and Xbox
- The Children's and Youth Services team: specialists in young people's programs and reading, and
- Loud Lounge!
- For more information, please ask your friendly staff at CityLibraries.
