Youth & Teen | Morrison-Talbott Library

2026 Award Lists

Illinois Youth Book Award Voting:

Morrison-Talbott Library is conducting voting for the various Illinois Youth Book Awards. The voting dates will run from February 15 through March 14. To vote, students must be within the grade levels for that specific award, have read the minimum number of books, and must not be voting at school or anywhere else. Each participant will receive an “I Voted!” sticker.

Monarch: Grades K-3; Read at least 5 books
Bluestem: Grades 3-5; Read at least 4 books
Rebecca Caudill: Grades 4-8; Read at least 3 books
Lincoln: Grades 9-12; Read at least 3 books

My First Library Card

Little ones, from birth to age 5 can participate in this new literacy program and get a special library card. When signing up for their card*, children will receive a library bag, library card, book, and dragon stuffed animal. There is also a photo opportunity.

My First Library Card will help foster a love of reading, becoming a library lover, and give a kick start to early success, one book at a time! Children will also be signed up for the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program.

Youth & Teen Programs and Events

Imagination Weekend - a book opened up to castle, rainbow, hot air balloon

Imagination Weekend (all ages)

Friday, April 10 9:00am-4:00pm
Saturday, April 11 9:00am-3:00pm

This is an open house free play set up for kids in our large meeting room! Parents & guardians will need to stay with their children.

Family Storytime (all ages)

Thursday, April 9 at 6:30pm

Join us for stories, songs, and activities/crafts. All ages are welcome to attend! This month’s theme is Financial Literacy Month.

LEGO Day (all ages)

Monday, April 13 from 10:00am-8:00pm

There are two ways to participate in LEGO Club! During Lego Days, we have many bins of Legos available to build with, in the youth library. For each creation, participants get an entry into the drawing for LEGO gift cards. We also have Lego Club at Home, where you can email pictures of your creations to lego@waterloolibrary.org and get entered into the drawing as well.

Little Movers (ages 0-2)

*Registration Required for the Winter Series (just come a few minutes early to the first session you would like to attend to fill out a short registration sheet)

This is a program for little ones up to two years old. This series will run from February through April. The schedule will be as follows:

Music and Movement Days at 10:00am: A fun way for caregivers and little ones to interact through music, movement, and a short story. (1st & 3rd Wednesdays of the month: 4/1 and 4/15)
Play and Learn Days from 9:30am-12:30pm: This will be an open house play time with a variety of toys. (2nd & 4th Wednesdays 4/8 and 4/22)
There will not be any activity if a 5th Tuesday falls during the month.

Storytime Adventures (ages 2-5)

*Registration Required for the Winter Series (just come a few minutes early to the first session you would like to attend to fill out a short registration sheet)

This is our storytime and more program for 2-5 year olds. This series will run from February through April. It will be a monthly four-week rotation as follows:

Storytime Days at 10:00am: This will be our regular storytime with stories, songs, & activities (1st & 3rd Tuesdays: 4/7 and 4/21)
Playtime Days from 9:30am-12:30pm: This will be an open house, open-play with a variety of toys. (2nd Tuesdays: 4/14)
First Art Days at 10:00am: This will focus on the art process rather than the finished product. (4th Tuesdays: 4/28)
There will not be any activity if a 5th Tuesday falls during the month.

STEAM Stories (ages 5-11)

*Advanced Registration Required

Thursday, April 2 at 6:30pm

We read a story and then complete some type of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and/or Mathematics activity to go with it. Our theme for this month is the egg drop challenge.

Adventures in Art (ages 5-11)

*Advanced Registration Required

Tuesday, April 28 at 6:30pm

Youth will create an art project based on a theme or inspired by a famous artist. This month’s theme is a Georges Seurat, Pointillism project!

Book Wizards Book Club (grades 3-5)

*Registration Required (just come a few minutes early to the first meeting you would like to attend to fill out a short registration sheet)

Tuesday, April 14 at 6:30pm

This book club will meet monthly on the second Tuesday of each month at 6:30pm. Books are chosen by members and are based on a theme. There will be book related discussion, games, activities, etc. This month’s book theme is mystery.

Bookmarked Book Club (grades 6-8)

*Registration Required (just come a few minutes early to the first meeting you would like to attend to fill out a short registration sheet)

Tuesday, April 7 at 6:30pm

This book club meets monthly on the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30pm. Books are chosen by members and are based on a theme. There will be book related discussion, games, activities, etc. This month’s book theme is to read a book about a place you would like to visit.

Teen Arts & Crafts Night (grades 6-12)

*Advanced Registration Required

Tuesday, April 21 at 6:30pm

Teens will be creating a tape art painting project!

Teen Hangout (grades 6-12)

Tuesday, April 30 from 6:30-8:00pm

Teens get to hangout and choose what activities they would like to do. There are snacks, games, crafts, and more.

Resources: