Kids

Children department collage showing various images of children and families enjoying library materials and events

Children’s Services

Your Chemung County Libraries have books, materials, and activities to support the developmental needs of every stage of your children's lives from infancy to 6th grade, or the homeschool equivalent. For questions, feedback, or suggestions, contact your local library.

Kids Events

This event is in the "Babies & Toddlers" group.
This event is in the "Children" group.

Horseheads Take N Make

All Day 4/1 - 4/30
Babies & Toddlers, Children
This event is in the "Babies & Toddlers" group.
This event is in the "Children" group.
This event is in the "Tweens" group.

Big Flats Library: Kids Egg Hunt in the Stacks!

04/14/2025 @ 12:00pm - 04/18/2025 @ 5:00pm
Babies & Toddlers, Children, Tweens
This event is in the "Babies & Toddlers" group.
This event is in the "Children" group.
This event is in the "Tweens" group.
This event is in the "Teens" group.
This event is in the "Adults" group.

Big Flats Spring Story Walk- Cats Colors

04/14/2025 @ 12:00pm - 04/24/2025 @ 5:00pm
Babies & Toddlers, Children, Tweens, Teens, Adults

Homework Help

Britannica Elementary School

Britannica Elementary School logo

Meeting the reference needs for elementary students. (NOVELny)

Database provided by NOVELny

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Brittanica Middle School

Brittanica Middle School logo

Meeting the reference needs for middle school students. (NOVELny)

Database provided by NOVELny

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Brittanica School

Brittanica School Edition logo

Meeting the reference needs for all students.

Database provided by NOVELny

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Gale In Context: Elementary

Gale In Context: Elementary logo

Introduce elementary students to database searching with resources featuring age-appropriate, curriculum-related content. (NOVELny)

Database provided by NOVELny

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Gale In Context: Middle School

Gale In Context: Middle School logo

Explore the most-studied topics including cultures, government, people, history, literature, and more. (NOVELny)

Database provided by NOVELny

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Library eBooks & eAudiobooks

Libby horizontal logo

Read with Libby

Kids who have their own library card can access Chemung County Libraries’ ebooks and e-audiobooks via the free Libby app. The Libby app allows patrons of all ages to download any book or audiobook they want with their library card.

SORA logo

Read with SORA

Kids who use the SORA app at school to get their school library’s ebooks can access our public library ebooks with their SORA app. Use the “hamburger” menu icon inside the SORA app to add your public library. Just select “Southern Tier Library System.” Please note that the SORA app limits kids to ebooks at their grade level only.

Recommended Kids Reads

Image of a tiger rubbing itself against a tree to leave it's scent with white text of title and author

60 Years of Wildlife Photographer of the Year

A sumptuous celebration of more than 230 of the most memorable and beautiful wildlife photographs from the past 60 years

"This 60-year visual history captures the interaction of human and animal, viewer and subject...and sweeps us up in the great natural tapestry of life." —Wall Street Journal

There's a unique magic to nature photography, and 60 Years of Wildlife Photographer of the Year reflects that wonder on every page. The book collects more than 230 breathtaking images from one of the world's most prestigious photography competitions hosted by the Natural History Museum, London, with captions that provide insight on the subject and the photographer's methods. The images capture intimate, otherworldly, and poignant moments, including:

 

  • Elephants taking a mud shower
  • A macaque seeing his reflection for the first time
  • The courtship dance of a humpback whale
  • A convolvulus hawk-moth drinking from a tobacco flower
  • Vibrant orange algae growing on a Monterey cypress


The book uncovers the striking beauty of animals, plants, and landscapes across the globe, and also reveals the artistry behind successful wildlife photography, which involves patience, instinct, and an understanding of animal behavior to get the perfect shot. Many of the photos also serve as important symbols of conservationism, demonstrating the urgent need to preserve the natural world. 

60 Years of Wildlife Photographer of the Year positions wildlife photography as an important part of art history, and provides the ultimate way to witness all that nature has to offer.

Youth Activities

Air Chemung Youth Clubhouse

Clubhouse is for Chemung County teens (ages 12-17), We provide a community-based, non-clinical setting for the promotion of long-term recovery through skill building, recreation, education, wellness, evidence-based prevention programs and other social activities.

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Chemung County Youth Bureau

recreational, educational, and employment programs and services for children, teens, and families in Chemung County

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EOP Head Start, Early Head Start

Birth to Five is a school readiness program. Free for qualifying families. Open enrollment all year.

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EOP: Ernie Davis Community Center

serves ages 13-21 with meals, afterschool programs, and tutoring

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Safe Zones

support and activities for LGBTQ teens in Chemung County; a program by the Chemung County Youth Bureau

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Southside Community Center

afterschool programs and snacks for all school age youth M-Fri

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Tanglewood Nature Center

educational programs for children and adults

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The SPOT program

recreational program for 12-15 year olds in Chemung County; a program of the Chemung County Youth Bureau

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YWCA Elmira

Offering quality before-school, after-school, and summer programs for Chemung County pre-schoolers through 6th graders at multiple sites.

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