BUILDING LIFELONG CURIOSITY THROUGH PLAY

The Bushnell-Sage Library is a play-forward library. Our youth area is set up to inspire and encourage play and exploration. Our play area is surrounded by books, contains no screens or digital toys, and offers open-ended play opportunities from a family-style coloring table to puzzles, and even a play-kitchen. Our youth area is accessible during all open library hours. We only ask that you clean up after yourselves and enjoy the space. We like to encourage enthusiasm for libraries and therefore we are not a “shhhh”-ing space. Kids make noise. We’ve filled our space with toys that encourage interaction. We don’t mind if your children make noise. We do encourage walking over running, and in the warmer months (or for those penguins amongst us) the backyard playground is the perfect place to run, jump, and swing.

We have youth board games an puzzles available for in-library use as well as check-out. New books have their own sections so you can easily find the latest youth acquisitions. Our Youth Services Manager is available Tuesday - Friday for questions, suggestions, or stories about your day.

You’ll find our upcoming programs below (as well as on our library calendar—which can be filtered to just show Youth programs via the Categories link). You’ll also see a sign-up box for our youth-specific email newsletter. Emails are not-too-frequent (except during Summer Reading for weekly challenges) and will inform you about upcoming programs.

Please be sure to review our child policy and contact us with any questions.

Sign Up for Youth Updates

SUMMER READING 2026: PLANT A SEED, READ!

Summer Reading Resources

Book Lists

UPCOMING PROGRAMS

Rona Leventhal - Garden Party: Stories and Songs of Gardens and Nature

Rona Leventhal
Garden Party: Stories and Songs of Gardens and Nature
Saturday, July 11
11:00 AM

P-A-R-T-Y in the G-A-R-D-E-N! From clearing the land to planting seeds to harvesting the crops (yum!) Rona will share stories and songs that will have you tapping your feet, swaying in your seats, dancing, singing and laughing as she shares stories from the silly to the serious, from the mysterious to the monstrous! From cooperating animals to uncooperative giants, worms and bugs that help the soil, nocturnal animals, insects, finding the sun and more! Come join the fun!

All ages. No sign-up necessary.

This program is supported in part by a grant from the Sheffield Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

YOUTH PROGRAMS: PUPPETS AND ART WITH MAPS

Youth Programs: Puppets and Art with MAPS
Wednesday, July 15
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM

   Into the Unknown : Puppets and Art with MAPS

    Join us for a magical puppet show followed by an art project with local arts organization, MAPS (www.MAPSArts.org).  We will explore unknown worlds through puppets, projections and live music.  After the show, enjoy an art workshop inspired by the performance.  This program is for children and their families!  

This program is best for pre-k and up. Younger participants will require caregiver assistance.

Registrations closes TUESDAY, JULY 14 at 4:00 PM.

ONGOING PROGRAMS

LEGO® CONSTRUCTION ZONE

LEGO® Construction Zone

LEGO® Construction Zone will return for drop-in sessions this summer!

LEGO® Construction Zone is for grades K-8
Kids under 12 must have a parent or guardian on library premises. Kids  under 6 must have a parent or guardian stay with them for the duration  of the program.

Please do not bring LEGO® bricks from home.

SOUTH BERKSHIRE KIDS

Sing & Dance

Sing & Dance
Hosted by South Berkshire Kids
Tuesdays 10:30 - 11:30 AM

A parent/child program that includes songs, music, and movement.

This program is registration only.
This program is currently full.
Check back for openings for the next session or contact South Berkshire Kids.

1,000 BOOKS BEFORE KINDERGARTEN®

It’s official! The Bushnell-Sage Library has launched
1,000 Books Before Kindergarten®!

1,000 Books Before Kindergarten® is a reading program designed to expose young children to as many books as possible while they are squishy, squishy little sponges. It sounds like a lot of books, and it is, but it goes quick! One bedtime story per night will have you wrapping up in just over 3 years. Re-reads count! Books a relative or a teacher reads to you child? Also counts! This is a fun way to track progress and stay motivated to keep sharing books with your child.

Sign up in person at the library!

EDUCATIONAL FUN ONLINE

RESOURCES FOR PARENTS